Lina Hidalgo Alleges Physical Altercation at Houston Rodeo
HOUSTON, Texas – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has publicly stated she experienced a concerning encounter with staff at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on Tuesday night. Judge Hidalgo claims she was physically impeded while attempting to access the dirt floor during the sold-out Megan Moroney concert.
Hidalgo’s Account of Events
In an exclusive interview, Judge Hidalgo described a escalating situation. “First, there was one man yelling at me, then there was multiple men, then multiple men shoving me,” she recounted. She was accompanied by five guests, including West University Place Mayor Susan Sample and her two children, as well as parents of a deceased Air Force veteran. Hidalgo stated that while some of her party were initially allowed onto the dirt floor, she and others were subsequently stopped.
Hidalgo explained that she offered to purchase tickets for herself and her guests when informed that access required a chute seat ticket. Despite this offer, she alleges she was repeatedly directed back to the county suite and ultimately asked to leave the premises. An audio recording provided by Hidalgo appears to corroborate the request for her to leave the property.
“They escorted me out of the Harris County stadium and were right behind me, like, frankly, reminded me of the cattle,” Hidalgo stated, expressing her distress over the incident.
Rodeo Officials Respond
Rodeo officials, however, present a different narrative. They confirm that Judge Hidalgo and her guests were denied access to the dirt floor due to a lack of appropriate chute seat tickets, which are priced at $425 each. They state that Hidalgo’s team had previously been granted access tickets for earlier nights, totaling nearly $9,000, but were informed that floor access was unavailable for the Megan Moroney concert due to it being sold out.
Chris Boleman, President and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, released a statement: “On March 10, during the sold-out Megan Moroney concert, Judge Lina Hidalgo attempted to access the dirt area without a valid chute seat ticket. Additionally, she attempted to bring several guests, also without chute seat tickets. Rodeo security advised that dirt access is limited to chute seat ticket holders only, a premium ticket priced at $425, and the group was directed back to their ticketed seating.”
Concerns Raised and Investigation Pending
Judge Hidalgo has expressed concerns about the incident, stating, “I don’t know what it is, but it’s not the spirit of the rodeo, it’s not the spirit of this community, and frankly, it makes me even more afraid for people in our community who are not white-passing.” She intends to obtain and release surveillance footage from NRG Stadium to support her claims of being physically manhandled.
The incident has sparked debate and calls for a thorough investigation. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo maintains that Hidalgo left without an escort and that her guests were not asked to leave, a claim disputed by some of those present. This situation highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in public events.
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