HOUSTON (KPRC) – A Texas man’s Halloween display is stirring conversation about immigration enforcement and free speech.
Mark Rodriguez, who lives in Houston’s Second Ward, says he intended for his Halloween decorations to send a message about how immigration enforcement is affecting families, schools and businesses in the community.
The display shows two figures with nooses around their necks. They are wearing red hats resembling those worn by supporters of President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement. A Mexican flag and a third figure dressed in a serape have been placed nearby.
“This is my political statement,” Rodriguez said. “Our community lives in fear right now — people are dropping enrollment in the schools, the restaurants are low. The community, everybody is scared right now.”
Neighbors have had mixed reactions to the display, with some supporting Rodriguez’s right to free expression and others criticizing the imagery.
“I’ve had good and bad controversy on it. Some people talk real good about it; some people talk real bad. But what I tell them is by no means am I threatening nobody,” Rodriguez said. “I like practicing my First Amendment rights… This isn’t a threat towards no agency or no officers.”
Despite the controversy, Rodriguez says he’s not afraid to shake things up to make sure his message hits home.
“This ain’t the first time I’ve done it. I’ve done Halloween decorations for 20 years. I’m not directing no hate to nobody. It was just something I decided to do for Halloween, and right when Halloween’s over, I’ll take it down,” he said.
Houston Police say no one has complained about Rodriguez’s display, and even if they did, he is not violating any laws.
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