Kendrick Sampson of BLD PWR speaks during the public comment period at a Houston City Council meeting as community members gathered to protest the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and other deaths involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement across the country at Houston City Hall on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle
Mayor John Whitmire on Wednesday chastised Houstonians for their behavior during an impassioned public comment session this week, saying some speakers used explicit language and “took the Lord’s name in vain,” as he called for support from the council to help maintain decorum.
More than 100 people crowded into City Hall on Tuesday to plead with council members to stand up against federal officials and remove immigration agents from the city following the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Magnolia Park last week.
READ MORE: Calls grow to remove ICE from Houston one week after fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo
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Several public speakers cried and pounded the podium while they spoke, often demanding Whitmire or other council members’ attention. Throughout, the sounds of protesters outside chanting “ICE out of Houston” could be heard in the chamber.
“Those that are using this tragedy for either political purposes, to build their organization, to incite folks – this should not be the venue,” Whitmire said during Wednesday’s council meeting.
While Tuesday’s protest was protected by the First Amendment, he said, it was designed to disrupt. He also said protestors had showed up outside his home.
“We’re not going to allow that again,” Whitmire said of the behavior at Tuesday’s public session. “We had a good session yesterday, and I understand anger, passion, but also understand bad behavior … it’s just wrong. It’s wrong for Houstonians. It’s wrong for young people to see that.”
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One speaker on Tuesday tried to bring a group of teens up with her as she spoke, which prompted a tense exchange with Whitmire. He attempted to tell them only one person could speak at a time, but they remained adamant on speaking, and the mayor ultimately let them finish.
Speakers took up most of the seats and lined the walls, cheering on speakers who made a point they agreed with and heckling council members who did not.
Council Member Edward Pollard said Wednesday that while he understood Whitmire’s desire for decorum, he also understood the public was angry and seeking clarity as Whitmire has provided conflicting messages on the city’s ability to investigate Araujo’s death.
The Houston police department was well equipped to look into the incident, he said.
“It just baffles me that in a time of uncertainty, we are leaning on the state government and the federal government on an issue that affects Houstonians when we should be taking the lead ourselves,” he said.
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Whitmire initially said the city lacked the jurisdiction to get involved, as federal authorities are leading the investigation. He then directed Houston police to support District Attorney Sean Teare’s independent probe and to offer resources to federal authorities. Whitmire then asked the Texas Rangers to investigate, and Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed Wednesday the state agency would look into the incident.
Several council members agreed with Whitmire’s comments Wednesday.
Council Member Sallie Alcorn referenced a letter she co-authored last year with Council Members Julian Ramirez and Amy Peck asking the mayor to ensure speakers understood city rules at the start of each meeting and that the mayor and council members did not extend any speaker’s time beyond stated limits.
Council Member Joe Panzarella spoke in favor of the protesters and echoed their calls to remove ICE agents from Houston during Tuesday’s session, and repeated that stance Wednesday.
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“I don’t think I’m hearing enough criticism about the organization, ICE, that is actually doing the crime, that they are murdering Americans – citizens or not – across the nation,” he said.