Austin City Council Candidate Misael Ramos Arrested on Riot Charge Over Protest of ICE Shooting

Misael Ramos, a democratic-socialist candidate for Austin City Council, was arrested by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers around 8:50 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, near Stafford Street and Manor Road while walking his dog, on a Class B misdemeanor charge of riot participation. DPS said a warrant was issued after Ramos was allegedly seen on camera moving construction barricades, sandbags, and other items to obstruct traffic during a September 20, 2026 demonstration that followed the ICE shooting of Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan DoorDash driver, in North Austin. Ramos was booked at the Travis County Jail and released on $1,000 bail Saturday afternoon. His attorney, Edmund 'Skip' Davis, disputed the 'riot' characterization, saying he saw 'people chanting and protesting rather than rioting,' and Ramos's campaign said he intends to contest the charge.