Local media outlets described the Brown Berets, a radical leftist group, as “Latino Community Leaders.”
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, pro-unlawful immigration demonstrations spread nationwide while the Brown Berets re-emerged in North Texas. The group, which traces its roots to the 1960s Chicano Movement, calls itself a pro-Chicano paramilitary organization and has promoted anti-police and anti-ICE rhetoric while urging action against federal immigration enforcement.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Brown Berets organized a vigil for victims of the recent Dallas ICE facility attack. During the vigil, NBC 5 and KERA News interviewed the group’s leader, known as Tony, who admitted members share ICE officers’ locations on social media. Tony said, “Our people are being kidnapped, so the least we can do is warn them where the danger is at.”
Despite these remarks, NBC DFW referred to the Brown Berets as “Latino Community Leaders,” while KERA News labeled them as “immigrant advocacy groups.”
The same apps promoted by the Brown Berets were allegedly used by the Dallas ICE facility gunman in the September 24 attack that killed two and injured one.
The Brown Berets’ rhetoric has grown increasingly militant.
Earlier this year, Tony appeared in an Instagram video announcing an “emergency protest” at the Dallas ICE facility. He declared, “We organize and fight back. That we collectively show that no amount of legislation will ever override the will of the people.” He also rejected U.S. immigration law, saying, “We do not recognize the authority of a colonial government trying to deport indigenous people from their own land. No one is illegal on stolen land.”
After the Dallas ICE facility attack, Tony downplayed the violence in another Instagram video, which was later deleted. He claimed, “This happened because of the anti-immigrant talk.” He also lashed out at elected officials, cursing U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and blaming ICE for creating the “hate” he said led to the incident.
The Dallas Express reached out to KERA News and NBC DFW for comment, but did not receive a response.