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<\/p>\nStephy Padilla said Sunday’s protest is just the beginning and that her organization plans to continue demonstrating until it sees change.<\/p>\n
HOUSTON \u2014 A small group of demonstrators gathered outside Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s home Sunday morning, calling for justice for Lorenzo Salgado, who died during a federal immigration operation in Houston’s East End last month.<\/p>\n
Several Houston police officers remained nearby as protesters held signs, waved Palestinian and Mexican flags and chanted outside the mayor’s home.<\/p>\n
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The demonstration was organized by Stephy Padilla, founder of Immigrating Youth Texas. Earlier Sunday morning, Padilla met with KHOU 11 at Memorial Park, where organizers had planned to gather before what they called a “protest run.”<\/p>\n
Padilla said Salgado’s death is personal to her because she owns a construction company and believes he could have easily been one of her own workers.<\/p>\n
“For me personally, he could have been one of my subcontractors,” Padilla said. “As somebody who works in the construction industry and has a construction company, I could have very well been working alongside him. Not just that. My father is an immigrant.”<\/p>\n
The demonstration comes one week after labor leaders, immigrant advocates and community members marched from Remembrance Park to Houston City Hall, demanding transparency and accountability following Salgado’s death.<\/p>\n
Padilla said after months of speaking at City Hall, she decided to bring the group’s message directly to the mayor.<\/p>\n
“I did threaten him two weeks ago that I was done coming to City Hall. I was done wasting my time. From today on, I was going to be applying harder pressure on him. This is one of the many things that we are doing,” Padilla said.<\/p>\n
The group is also calling for the release of the two remaining detainees still in ICE custody following the same federal immigration operation.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, one of the men detained during that operation, was released from federal custody. After his release, Rojas Pliego returned to a memorial honoring Salgado, where he said he last saw his boss alive. He said he is also seeking justice for Salgado, whom he described as more than a boss, calling him a friend.<\/p>\n
Padilla said she hopes the demonstration helps the mayor better understand the fear many immigrant families say they’re experiencing.<\/p>\n
“Just like he probably feels violated and uncomfortable, that’s exactly how our Latino community feels right now,” Padilla said.<\/p>\n
Mayor Whitmire did not come outside while KHOU 11 was at the demonstration.<\/p>\n
Padilla said Sunday’s protest is just the beginning and that her organization plans to continue demonstrating until it sees change.<\/p>\n