Incident at the Houston Rodeo
“This is not about a wristband or a ticket or a concert. It is about the mentality of some people and the way they treat others,” stated Lina Hidalgo following her removal from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo concert on March 10.
Hidalgo, who serves as the ex officio director of the rodeo and has a seat in the county suite, attempted to access the dirt area during the sold-out Megan Moroney concert without a valid chute seat ticket, which are priced at $425. According to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, access to the dirt area is limited to ticket holders only.
During the incident, Hidalgo claimed she was manhandled by rodeo security staff, stating, “I was physically pushed.” She alleged that the guards threatened her with arrest, raising concerns about the treatment she received.
Hidalgo’s guests included the parents of a deceased Air Force veteran, adding a personal dimension to the incident. She later posted video and audio recordings of the altercation on social media, which have since drawn significant attention.
In a statement, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo acknowledged the incident, saying, “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.” However, rodeo officials denied any knowledge of a physical altercation.
The Houston Police Officers’ Union even posted a satirical cartoon related to the incident, further fueling the conversation surrounding it.
Hidalgo has previously been allowed on the dirt without a wristband due to her position, and her team had requested and received nearly $9,000 worth of floor access tickets for previous nights of the event.
She expressed that the treatment she received had political and gender connotations, suggesting that if the situation involved a different county executive, specifically a man, the outcome would have been different.
As the situation develops, further statements from both Hidalgo and the rodeo officials are anticipated, with many observers keen to see how this incident will influence discussions on access and treatment at public events.