HOUSTON – Activists took their demands for justice to Houston City Hall Tuesday, laying out plans for a citywide protest as they continue to push for answers in the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.
Salgado Araujo, a husband and father, was shot and killed by an ICE agent two weeks ago in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood during what the Department of Homeland Security describes as a traffic stop.
The demonstration began outside City Hall before moving indoors, where several dozen people spoke directly to Mayor John Whitmire and city council members. Fliers were also passed out throughout the day promoting a citywide shutdown organizers are calling “No Business as Usual.”
Activists are urging residents not to spend money Friday and calling on some businesses to close in protest.
The crowd was vocal and emotional as speakers took turns addressing city officials.
“Why is it that unknown masked agents in unmarked vehicles are allowed to execute people without consequences?” one speaker said.
According to DHS, Salgado Araujo was not the intended target of the operation. Officials say he was on his way to work with three other people when the shooting occurred. DHS says Salgado Araujo attempted to run over ICE agents with his van, and the agent fired in self-defense.
As speakers finished, chants broke out again inside City Hall. Mayor Whitmire and city council members could only look on as the crowd grew louder. Eventually, activists were escorted out of the building.
Organizers say this is just the beginning. Among their demands — the names of the ICE agents involved in the shooting.
“The chants, the signs, the pressure — it’s not going away,” one organizer said.
The “No Business as Usual” citywide shutdown is planned for Friday, July 24, at 6 p.m. at Hidalgo Park.