A disruption at a Muslim civic engagement event at the Texas Capitol has gone viral, racking up millions of views and drawing national attention to rising tensions over religion, representation, and rhetoric in Texas politics.

“I am the only hope Texas has to prevent the Islamization of America,” said Valentina Gomez in an exclusive statement to The Dallas Express. “When I get to Congress, I will make sure the cross is never traded for the crescent. Muslims are violent animals that hate everything about America. They hate our flag, bacon, our constitution, and women having rights.”

Her full statement to DX is as follows:

In response to Gomez’s disruption, CAIR Action Texas Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Sameeha Rizvi told The Dallas Express the rhetoric and the lack of condemnation from elected officials was deeply troubling.

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“Unfortunately, the Islamophobia has only escalated. Legislators are now introducing resolutions based on false and thoroughly debunked claims about CAIR—part of a broader effort to erase Muslim civic presence at the Capitol. And many elected officials remain silent. That silence sends a message—and not a good one,” Rizvi said.

The incident unfolded during Texas Muslim Capitol Day on April 29, an annual event where Muslims gather to meet with lawmakers and advocate for certain issues.

A CAIR press release announcing the event described it this way, “Every year, hundreds of Texas Muslims visit the Texas Muslim Capitol to meet with their elected officials and discuss policy issues of importance to the community, including civil rights, religious freedom, and racial equality.”

During the program, Gomez—who is running for Congress in Texas’s 31st District—rushed the microphone and declared, “Islam has no place in Texas. Islam is the religion of rape, incest, and pedophilia, where they bow down to a stupid rock and a false prophet. I will never let Sharia Law take over Texas; this is a Christian nation! [inaudible]”

 

The end of her statement became inaudible as the microphone appeared silenced or out of range to pick up her voice. In response, attendees began chanting “Allahu Akbar” as someone ushered Gomez away. Footage of the moment was quickly shared across social media, including on X, where multiple clips have amassed millions of views.

Rizvi said that while the disruption was meant to “intimidate,” the Muslim community would not be deterred.

“The halls of the Capitol belong to the people. They do not belong to the political actors who thrive on spreading misinformation and vile lies,” Rizvi added.“We’re not going anywhere. We belong here. And we’ll keep fighting for a Texas that reflects all Texans.”

Rizvi stressed that this should be a wake-up call. “Civil society and public officials have a responsibility: not just to avoid harm, but to actively show up and affirm the right of all Texans, including Muslims, to be heard, to participate, and to belong.”

Gomez’s counter-protest was not the first time such an incident had happened at Texas Muslim Capitol Day. Christine Weick had stormed the stage and made similar comments in 2015.

CAIR Action Texas is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit affiliated with the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The organization’s website says its mission: “CAIR’s vision is to be a leading advocate for justice and mutual understanding. CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.”

Gomez’s interruption was not her first foray into politics.

Before launching her campaign in Texas, she ran in the Republican primary for Missouri’s Secretary of State in 2024. After moving to Texas, she initially announced plans to challenge U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw before shifting her focus to the 31st Congressional District, represented currently by 83-year-old Rep. John Carter, who has served since 2003.