HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo board voted to revoke Judge Lina Hidalgo’s ex officio title amid an ongoing feud.
On Wednesday, Hidalgo told ABC13 that she had been “manhandled” by staff at the rodeo while trying to access the dirt floor to the sold-out Megan Moroney concert on Tuesday night. Rodeo officials told Eyewitness News they have no knowledge of any physical altercation but confirm that Hidalgo and her guests were denied entry to the floor because they lacked chute-seat tickets.
The video above is from a previous report.
Rodeo officials added that prior to the incident, Hidalgo had attended on three occasions, each time with wristbands provided to her and her guests.
“In total, 21 tickets were provided to her across those visits, including for the J Balvin, Dwight Yoakam, and Luke Bryan concerts, with a total value of close to $9,000. Chute seats are among the most premium experiences at RODEOHOUSTON, with tickets priced at approximately S425 each. Many guests purchase these seats specifically for the opportunity to be close to the action on the dirt and enjoy a special evening at the Rodeo,” the Rodeo said in a statement.
On top of that, on March 10, the Rodeo reported receiving information that she wanted to attend the Megan Moroney concert, as well as Creed, Chris Stapleton, and Shaboozey concerts, all on the dirt.
However, for the Megan Moroney concert, Rodeo officials said they told Hidalgo’s team the seats were not available, but they would still have access to the suite.
Hidalgo wanted better access for her guests and went to the floor anyway, and that’s when she says she was shoved and kicked out, even comparing it to cattle. Now, she’s calling for surveillance video to be released and is requesting a meeting with rodeo leadership.
The Rodeo team said its team “respectfully addressed the situation, but the interaction became difficult for staff and security.” But ultimately, Hidalgo would not return to her seat in the suite and was escorted out.
“We are very disappointed in Judge Hidalgo’s actions Tuesday night and since. But we must enforce the same access policies for everyone,” the Rodeo shared.
“I don’t know what it is, but it’s not the spirit of the rodeo, it’s not the spirit of this community, and frankly, it makes me even more afraid for people in our community who are not white-passing,” Hidalgo said.
In addition, they said that “the idea that she was treated this way because she’s a woman or Hispanic is absolutely false and insulting.”
Read the full statement below:
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