Misael Ramos, an Austin City Council candidate running to represent District 1 in East Austin, was arrested by state troopers Saturday morning, according to his campaign.
Jeffrey Clemmons, Ramos’ campaign manager, said two of Ramos’ neighbors saw Ramos detained by several state troopers, including many in unmarked vehicles, while Ramos was walking his dog around 8:50 a.m. Saturday. Clemmons said the officers never showed Ramos a warrant for his arrest.
“We are currently sorting through the details, but it appears that Misael was targeted for his participation in First Amendment activities,” Clemmons said. “We seek justice for Misael and those who have been victim to these acts by the state to silence our voice in this moment.”
Clemmons added that the arrest was likely related to the protests that followed the Sept. 20 shooting of Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez. Federal immigration agents shot and wounded Garces Perez, a delivery driver from Venezuela, in North Austin, sparking protests.
Clemmons spoke with Ramos directly from the Travis County Jail and passed along Ramos’ statement to the American-Statesman:
“That these officers felt emboldened to do this to me, as a candidate on the ballot, speaks volumes to the level of immunity they feel to do this to our neighbors, who are living in fear of these kinds of abductions everyday. We must end the terror in our communities created by the fascist administration in Washington and here in Texas — I will never stop standing up and speaking out for our community.”
The Texas Department of Public Safety could not immediately be reached for comment Saturday.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.