Aldine teachers’ union boss could face fine after arrest
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
The president of the Aldine school district teachers’ union, who was arrested during a recent membership drive, was released from jail Wednesday morning.
Carmen Mayorga, 34, was charged with failing to identify herself to a school district police officer behind Aldine Senior High School on Tuesday afternoon. She faces a fine up to $500.
“It’s a meritless charge,” said James Fallon, Mayorga’s attorney.
Mayorga did not show the police officer her driver’s license, Fallon said, but she was not intentionally refusing to identify herself.
Fallon’s mother, Gayle Fallon, is president of the Houston Federation of Teachers.
Mayorga, who leads the Aldine chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, said she was targeted because she runs the union.
School officials said in a statement that Mayorga “was treated just as any other individual would have been treated who had violated the law.”
Around 4 p.m. Tuesday, Mayorga said she drove her van behind Officer Marty Tobias’ car, which was on the Interstate 45 feeder road behind Aldine Senior High School.
Mayorga said she was trying to pick up some of her employees, who were holding signs to promote the union to new teachers as they left an orientation at the high school.
She and district officials agree that the officer asked her to move her car.
Mayorga says the officer was unnecessarily aggressive. The district disagrees.
Houston CopWatch 
Want to tell you that I am supportive of your situation and will watch and report to my local contacts here in south central and southeastern NC. I am a graduate student (M.A.T. in English/ESL). This is my 2nd master’s degree, now nearly 62. This local corruption example is one more instance of how politics in the schools is equal to or subtler than others, but just as discriminatory and unequal application of petty law enforcement. All my support to you!