Efrin “EJ” Carrion is kicked out during public comment at a Tarrant County Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026 in Fort Worth. Carrion was later arrested around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Abigail Dollins
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
After one group was erased from a Tarrant County Hispanic Heritage Month resolution, the remaining two rejected the honor.
Democrat Commissioner Alisa Simmons intended to honor three Latino-led media groups during the commissioners meeting Tuesday, Oct. 13: Hola Texas, Northside Community Magazine and The 817 Podcast.
“Independent Latino media strengthens our communities and our democracy by informing residents, elevating local voices, encouraging civic participation, celebrating cultural heritage and ensuring that Latino perspectives are an integral part of the public conversation,” the resolution read.
Republican Commissioner Matt Krause proposed removing 817 Podcast from the list because one of the hosts, EJ Carrion, is one of the men facing criminal charges after being kicked out of a Commissioners Court meeting in August.
Carrion is not allowed to attend commissioners court until February, when his trespass warning expires. He was listed as the person who would receive the honor on behalf of the podcast, which Krause had a problem with.
“I just don’t think it’s sound judgment to be recognizing somebody who’s under criminal trespass prosecution in the very court that would be recognizing that,” Krause said.
Republican County Judge Tim O’Hare, who voted for the amendment, clarified that the state of Texas is litigating the case, not the county Commissioners Court. Republican Commissioner Manny Ramirez was the third vote for the amendment, outweighing Simmons and Democratic Commissioner Roderick Miles’ dissent.
Simmons said the honor was for the whole organization, not just Carrion as one of the co-hosts.
“This is not about EJ Carrion,” Simmons said. “This is about Hispanic Heritage Month, is about the work that these organizations have performed and will continue to perform in our community. The commissioner, or I guess all of them, are making this personal, and I’m not sure why.”
Another 3-2 vote along party lines passed the amended resolution recognizing Hola Texas and Northside Community Magazine. Simmons said it was up to the two groups if they still wanted to receive the honor.
Alberto Govea of Hola Texas and Gabriella Gonzalez of Northside Community both came to the microphone to deny the recognition in solidarity on the 817 Podcast.
“We did not come here seeking your validation, but by refusing to pass a symbolic resolution, you have shown this entire county exactly how little you value the Hispanic community that builds your tax base under your economy,” Gonzalez said.
Carrion said the podcast is a coalition of many people working to foster civic engagement in Tarrant County and Fort Worth.
“I’m not shocked they targeted me,” Carrion said, “but I’m honored to stand with Hola Texas and Northside Magazine, whose honest, rooted, culturally-attuned work inspires me.”
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Rachel Royster is a news and government reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, specifically focused on Tarrant County. She joined the newsroom after interning at the Austin American-Statesman, the Waco Tribune-Herald and Capital Community News in DC. A Houston native and Baylor grad, Rachel enjoys traveling, reading and being outside. She welcomes any and all news tips to her email.