Austin council hopeful arrested on misdemeanor riot participation charge after ICE shooting protest
A city council candidate in Austin was taken into custody on a misdemeanor charge of riot participation following his involvement in a protest over an ICE shooting.
Austin city council candidate Misael Ramos was booked on a misdemeanor charge of riot participation after taking part in a protest over the shooting of Venezuelan delivery driver Wilber Rafael Garces Perez by an ICE officer. Ramos, affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America, maintains he did not engage in a riot, describing the event as a peaceful chant and protest. His attorney, Edmund Skip Davis, emphasized the lack of any rioting behavior.
The Travis County Sheriff's Office confirmed the booking but said further details would come from the Texas Department of Public Safety. After his release, Ramos addressed a crowd outside the jail, thanking supporters and criticizing federal immigration raids. The incident has added tension to ongoing protests surrounding the ICE shooting.
Why it matters
The arrest highlights legal risks for activists and may affect the candidate's campaign and broader protest dynamics.
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