A civil rights group has called for a federal probe into raids targeting Democrats in Texas.
The Epoch Times reported that allegations of voter suppression have surfaced after several homes of Democrats in San Antonio were raided as part of an election fraud investigation.
On August 26, a series of raids were conducted by the Texas Attorney General's office, focusing on individuals such as Manuel Medina, a former head of the Bexar County Democratic Party, and Cecilia Castellano, both prominent figures in local politics.
The raids also affected members of the Texas League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).
Medina, known for his past leadership and consulting roles, has not been charged, nor have others involved.
These raids stem from an investigation into vote harvesting during the 2022 elections, based on a referral from the 81st District Attorney Audrey Louis.
Documents, computers, and cell phones were seized from the raided homes, including that of Lydia Martinez, an 80-year-old LULAC member, who described an exhaustive search of her property by officers.
Protests erupted outside the San Antonio office of Attorney General Ken Paxton after the raids.
Leaders from LULAC and state legislators voiced concerns over the targeting of Latino communities, accusing Paxton of leveraging these actions for political gain.
Roman Palomares, national president of LULAC, emphasized the severity of the situation at the protest, declaring, "This is point-blank voter intimidation." He also expressed a commitment to uncovering the underlying motives of these investigations.
Attorney General Ken Paxton has made election integrity a cornerstone of his office's agenda, which includes investigating NGOs that allegedly registered noncitizens to vote.
Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott has highlighted the removal of over a million people from Texas voter rolls for various reasons since 2021, including around 6,500 noncitizens with prior voting records.
State Senator José Menéndez, speaking at the rally, suggested that the raids were part of a broader political strategy to influence key legislation, including education vouchers critical to the governor's agenda.
Lydia Martinez shared her harrowing experience with the press, stating, "They sat me down, and they started searching all my house, my storeroom, my garage, kitchen, everything," asserting her innocence and dedication to helping seniors.
In his defense, Paxton stated, "We are completely committed to protecting the security of the ballot box and the integrity of every legal vote," underscoring his office’s commitment to upholding election laws.
The call for a Department of Justice investigation into these raids continues as community leaders seek to ensure the protection of voting rights and fair electoral practices in Texas.
