I'm Kit O'Connell, a social justice activist and gonzo journalist from Austin, Texas. Since late 2011, I've been covering protests, direct actions, and other struggles locally and around the country. Now I want to cover protests against ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council) at the end of July 2014 in Dallas, Texas.

I've worked with Occupy groups, radical queers fighting for LGBTQ equality, and last summer was heavily involved with fighting the attack on women's reproductive healthcare and abortion at the Texas legislature -- a bill sponsored by legislators that have been bought off by ALEC and other special interest groups. Last year, I also traveled to Chicago to cover protests at ALEC's 50th birthday celebrations, helping to expose the violent actions of police.

Now I need your help to return to this struggle for democracy and a voice for regular people in the face of corporate bribery. Your contributions will cover travel expenses (gas money or bus fare), and food. I also need to replace & reactivate my broken WiFi Hotspot, which will help ensure reports can be uploaded quickly from anywhere.

Even if I don't make the full amount, I'll do my best to make the trip work. Any unused money will be put toward covering other upcoming activist events. As I've done before, every expenditure will be openly itemized on my homepage, so you can see where your money goes.

See more of my gonzo journalism on Firedoglake.

Thanks & Solidarity Forever!