On May 1st, 2026, a small group of protestors organized outside of the Fort Worth Club, downtown. The club serves as the official local office for Congressional Representative Craig Goldman. The club does not have any signage directing constituents to the representative's office, or indicated that the office is there. Rep. Goldman does not host town halls or take appointments with his constituents. His only communication with his district is through emails, form letters, and ticketed (paid) events. The 7th street entrance to his "office" has public sidewalks on both sides of the street. It is well-established that public sidewalks are legal venues for First Amendment expression (no permit required).
Beginning in August 2024, FWPD began “Operation Pipe-Down” to enforce a noise ordinance downtown. The target was loud cars and music in the evenings, but on May Day, the noise ordinance was used to shut down free speech in front of Craig Goldman’s Office. Here is a gift article from the Star-Telegram explaining the ordinance.
Three FWPD officers allegedly responded to a call from “a resident” that the noise from a single drummer was an unreasonable problem at 11:30AM on a busy Friday. For a point of reference, the residential areas of the Fort Worth Club are not on the lower levels of the building. So this "resident" had to have been located above the 6th floor of the building. In looking at the noise ordinance, the following applies to the mixed-use area:
>From 7AM to 2AM the following day=80 dBa (decibels)
**An average lawn mower creates between 80-90 decibels.
The officers ticketed three separate individuals for drumming (one at a time), effectively shutting down the protest. We believe that this was intentional. The section of the ordinance that appears to have been used:
(d) Noise prohibited.
(1) In addition to the other noise restrictions in this section, no person shall make, cause, suffer, allow or permit unreasonably loud
noises in such a manner, or with such volume, intensity or duration, so as to disturb a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities. A decibel level shall not be required for the enforcement of this subsection.
**This means they based the citations on one person's opinion and not a decibel measurement.
This section of the ordinance means any single person can shut down the constitutional right to protest. Don't like the message? Shut it Down! The ordinance goes on to say that an exemption can be used for a permitted event. In terms of free speech, this would mean that any protest that creates noise above the decibel level created from a lawn mower would require a permit in downtown Fort Worth. As an organization (Indivisible TX12), we are familiar with this process, and find it would be unreasonable to expect the average citizen to get a permit every time they wanted to practice their First Amendment right downtown and doubt that we would be approved for a permit in front of the Fort Worth Club. This tactic is often used by the government and wealthy elites to limit the power of the people and suppress Free Speech. While we believe there should be an exception for First Amendment practice (for this ordinance) within the vicinity of governmental bodies (the Municipal Courthouse, Federal buildings, Tarrant County Courthouse, and any Representative's office), we firmly believe that Free Speech should be protected in all spaces.
Our ask is simple. We need funds to fight this in court and set the precedent that free speech is still an American right in downtown Fort Worth. The 1A3 have appeared before the Municipal Court and requested a trial by jury. While we welcome the help of a pro-bono attorney, we have yet to find one and time is short. We expect the trial to be mid to late summer. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. No donation is too small! If you have an attorney recommendation, please email 12indivisible@gmail.com. Check our Organization tab for more info on Indivisible TX12.
Highlights
See all activity10Our Organization
Our Indivisible group in Congressional District 12 is a grassroots organization dedicated to empowering our community through positive civic engagement, the promotion of progressive values, and advocating for policies that uplift working families. We believe in the power of informed voters and engaged citizens to create meaningful change in our district and beyond.
Through education, outreach, and collaboration, we aim to inspire our neighbors to participate actively in the democratic process. Whether it’s hosting town halls, organizing voter registration drives, or providing resources to better understand local and national policies, we strive to equip our community with the tools they need to make their voices heard.
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to promoting progressive values that prioritize equity, inclusivity, and opportunity for all. We advocate for policies that address the needs of working families, such as accessible healthcare, quality education, fair wages, and strong protections for workers' rights. By amplifying the voices of those who are often overlooked in the political process, we work to ensure that our district represents the interests of everyone who calls it home.
We also focus on fostering a sense of community and solidarity. Our group brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds to work toward common goals. By engaging with local leaders, partnering with like-minded organizations, and encouraging constructive dialogue, we aim to build a stronger, more united district that reflects our shared values.
As part of the larger Indivisible movement, we are committed to resisting policies that harm our communities while advocating for a vision of governance that is compassionate, inclusive, and accountable. Whether you are a lifelong activist or just beginning your journey into civic engagement, there is a place for you in our group. Together, we can make a difference in CD12 and contribute to a more just and equitable future for all.
SAFETY: Many organizations share the belief in nonviolent resistance but in practice, that looks different for different folks. Indivisible is building a large movement that serves both as an entry point for the newly awakened citizen and the seasoned activist. We recognize that people see our actions as safe (even though they may not always be, under a fascist regime), so much so that people choose to include their children. They see our digital space as vetted and anything we share as endorsed. We don’t take that responsibility lightly. Out of an abundance of caution, when we witness individuals or orgs stepping outside of a certain level of safety, we won’t partner, promote, or endorse them. We encourage every individual to take the time to review their relationships and determine their own level of security needed to fight fascism.
