The Texas Legislature began a new special legislative session Friday after Gov. Greg Abbott called lawmakers back to deal with congressional redistricting and a host of other issues — laying down a new gauntlet for Democrats who fled the state nearly two weeks ago to halt a vote on a new district map.

Texas Democrats who oppose a controversial Republican-led redistricting plan appear to be shifting strategy from walkout to holding protest rallies.

The Texas Democrats’ decision to leave made the redistricting battle a national story.

People packed the capital lawn on Saturday morning for the “Texas for All” rally protesting the state’s plan to redraw redistricting maps.