A Halloween display in Houston’s Second Ward, known as “Segundo Barrio,” has drawn attention and debate. Homeowner Mark Rodriguez set up figures with nooses and zip ties, Mexican flags, and a figure in a serape. Rodriguez said, “This is my political statement” and “I like practicing my First Amendment rights. I’m by no means threatening nobody [sic],” according to Click2Houston. The display has received mixed reactions from the community and online.
Supporters of Rodriguez’s approach have expressed their views on social media. Bobby Rojas said, “I love it at first glance. Some might say it’s controversial, but I’ll say the issues that’s going on with issues with immigrants. You know how Latino communities are being treated, I would say it’s pretty harsh. I would say this doesn’t compare.” Civil rights lawyer Randall Kallinen also commented on the matter, saying, “And if we lose our freedom of speech, we don’t have much,” as reported by FOX 26 Houston.
Houston Police Department confirmed that no crime has been committed and that they are not investigating the decorations. Rodriguez said he plans to keep the display up until Halloween and then take it down. He told Click2Houston, "I’ve had Halloween decorations for 20 years...I’m directing no hate toward nobody [sic] this is just something I’ve decided to do for Halloween, and right when Halloween is over, I’ll take it down."
