A Texas city council candidate running in Austin was arrested Saturday morning on a misdemeanor charge of riot participation tied to a demonstration over the shooting of a Venezuelan man by a federal immigration officer. Misael Ramos, 40, was taken into custody around 8:45 a.m. Saturday by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and special agents on an outstanding warrant stemming from actions observed at a Sept. 20 protest, according to the agency.
Arrest Details and State Allegations
The Texas Department of Public Safety stated that Ramos “was captured on camera taking construction barricades, sandbags, and other items and attempting to obstruct traffic” during the demonstration. The agency provided photos and video capturing portions of his actions at the scene. Protesters had gathered on Sept. 20 to demonstrate against the shooting of Wilber Rafael Garces Perez in Austin. Kristen Dark, a spokeswoman for the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that Ramos was booked into agency custody around 9:30 a.m. Saturday on the riot participation charge.
Ramos, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, denies wrongdoing and plans to contest the charge, his campaign announced in a news release. Edmund “Skip” Davis, an attorney representing Ramos, disputed the characterization of the event. “I didn’t see any riots,” Davis said. “I saw people out there chanting and protesting.”
Release Outside County Jail and Campaign Response
Following his booking, Ramos was released from custody during a news conference outside the county jail Saturday morning amid cheers from supporters. Speaking to the crowd, Ramos called it “one of the craziest mornings I have had in a long time,” thanked those who gathered, and criticized federal immigration raids in the community. Rallying the crowd with the chant “When we fight,” attendees responded, “we win!”
Ramos’ campaign manager, Jeffrey Clemmons, issued a statement defending the candidate’s presence at the demonstration. Clemmons stated that Ramos quickly joined people at the scene to offer condemnation and show solidarity by holding the line in the protest, chanting, and amplifying the incident through campaign channels after hundreds of Austinites were shocked by news of the shooting.
Garces Perez was making a DoorDash delivery Sunday afternoon when ICE officers in an unmarked truck sideswiped his car twice, according to his attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch. Garces Perez was shot, taken to a hospital, and subsequently released into ICE custody with a bullet still in his back. An attorney for Garces Perez stated that he was an asylum seeker with a valid work permit.
Did You Know? Wilber Rafael Garces Perez was working as a DoorDash driver delivering food on a Sunday afternoon when federal immigration officers in an unmarked vehicle sideswiped his car twice prior to the shooting, according to statements from his attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Misael Ramos arrested?
Misael Ramos was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant for riot participation after the Texas Department of Public Safety alleged he was captured on camera moving construction barricades, sandbags, and other items to obstruct traffic during a Sept. 20 protest.
What happened to Wilber Rafael Garces Perez?
Garces Perez was shot by an ICE officer following a targeted vehicle stop while making a DoorDash delivery in Austin. He was subsequently hospitalized and released into ICE custody with a bullet still in his back, according to his attorney.
What is Ramos’ legal standing regarding the charge?
Ramos denies any wrongdoing, and his campaign stated he will contest the charge. His attorney maintained that he observed people chanting and protesting rather than participating in a riot.