HOUSTON—For almost a year, Martina Grifaldo and Monica Rodriguez, President and Vice President respectively of Alianza Mexicana, an organization formed by Mexican origin residents in Houston, Texas, led efforts to give voice to primarily Latino immigrant tenants in apartment complexes. Monica Rodriguez, herself, lived in one of these complexes, the Rock Springs Apartments, for over four years and had experienced/witnessed arbitrary and unjust actions by apartment managers.
Residents’ rights were constantly violated without regard to housing rights mandated by state and federal law. Perhaps the most notorious was a flyer, posted in different spots of the Rock Springs Apartments, that told residents to “report any African-American youth or suspicious persons to the office.” Monica and Martina went to the office with the complainants about violations and later managers sent Monica notice that her lease would not be renewed in January of 2013.
The flyer and notice of non-renewal of Monica’s leasing contract prompted Alianza Mexicana to call organizations and individuals to a protest in front of the Rock Springs Apartments. Shortly thereafter, Monica received a notice of eviction detailed by attorneys for the owners, and Martina was issued a “cease and desist” letter prohibiting her presence on property of the Rock Springs Apartments.
Alianza Mexicana responded by establishing a legal defense fund for Monica and Martina. Asserting her right to a hearing, Monica and her attorney laid their case before a Justice of the Peace Court. Without proof, the judge upheld Monica’s eviction because she violated the leasing contract when she went to the leasing office and disrupted business. In an effort to appeal, Monica submitted an application to be deemed indigent and that she be allowed to appeal without filing a $2000 bond.
In the meantime, Martina’s case is being reviewed by both the Center for Fair Housing and a private civil rights attorney, and another protest was held in front of the Rock Springs Apartments. The coalition formed denounced the violation of rights and called for any potential renter not to become a tenant in a place that continues to violate rights, and most importantly, that retaliates against any tenant that complains. From the point of view of the people still in the fight, the struggle has just begun.
You can call Martina at 832-896-3204 or Monica at 832-885-4798 to make your donation for their legal defense.
Lucia Gonzalez is an Alianza member
