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Efrin \u201cEJ\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
Abigail Dollins<\/p>\n
Fort Worth Star-Telegram<\/p>\n
After one group was erased from a Tarrant County Hispanic Heritage Month resolution, the remaining two rejected the honor.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndependent 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,\u201d the resolution read.<\/p>\n
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<\/a> after being kicked out of a Commissioners Court meeting in August.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI just don\u2019t think it\u2019s sound judgment to be recognizing somebody who\u2019s under criminal trespass prosecution in the very court that would be recognizing that,\u201d Krause said.<\/p>\n Republican County Judge Tim O\u2019Hare, 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\u2019 dissent.<\/p>\n Simmons said the honor was for the whole organization, not just Carrion as one of the co-hosts.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not about EJ Carrion,\u201d Simmons said. \u201cThis 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\u2019m not sure why.”<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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,\u201d Gonzalez said.<\/p>\n Carrion said the podcast is a coalition of many people working to foster civic engagement in Tarrant County and Fort Worth.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not shocked they targeted me,\u201d Carrion said, \u201cbut I\u2019m honored to stand with Hola Texas and Northside Magazine, whose honest, rooted, culturally-attuned work inspires me.\u201d<\/p>\n
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