 Edición Semanaria de Noticiero Latino |
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July 2005
July 1st | Listen to the program
VOTE ABROAD APPROVED - In a historical move, Mexico grants voting rights to millions of citizens living abroad. Mexican émigrés that hold a voting credential will eligible to vote via mail in the presidential elections of 2006. This was the decision of Mexico's lower chamber, during a special session this Wednesday. Ruben Tapia reports that Mexican émigrés organizations in the U.S. considered the decision favorable but insufficient.
ARIZONA BOYCOTT - Latino activists in Arizona are calling on new economic boycotts against the state in response to the anti-immigrant sentiment there. Boycott proponents are also demanding federal immigration reform. Elvia Diaz reports on the planned actions that do not seem to bother neither entrepreneurs nor politicians currently pushing for further restrictions against immigrant populations.
MIGRANT VEHICLE DEATHS - The leading cause for work related deaths among Florida farm workers are transportation accidents. Worker advocates and legislators argue that mandating seat belts on all farm workers vehicles would reduce the number of deaths. An initiative that aimed at implementing this measure was halted in the last legislative session. However, initiative promoters are confident that the proposed law will pass in the next session.
July 8th | Listen to the program
U.S. SUPREME COURT CHANGE - U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O’ Connor announced her retirement and thus unraveled a battle for the high court’s post. Several Latinos are part of an informal list of candidates to replace O'Connor that circulates in Washington, DC. O’Connor, was considered the Supreme Court swing vote. As Patricia Guadalupe reports from the Nation's capital, one Latino in particular has been the target of attacks by conservative groups.
TOUGH TEST FOR OUTSTANDING STUDENT - Marie Gonzalez, a young Costa Rican student faces a tough test in life. At 19 she has the opportunity to continue with her education for a least one more year, but she must do it alone because her parents were forced to leave the country after working in the U.S. for 14 years. Marie and her parents are undocumented. To solve cases such as Marie’s, immigrant groups pressure congressional leaders to reintroduce and approve the DREAM Act this year. Ruben Tapia reports.
ECHEVERRIA MAY DO JAIL TIME - Former Mexican president, Luis Echeverria Alvarez may be arrested in the upcoming days if a special court finds him guilty of genocide. Echeverria is being judged for his possible responsibility in the 1971 and 1968 student killings that took place in Mexico City. A recent Supreme Court decision opened the door for penal action. Raul Silva reports.
July 15th | Listen to the program
COMMERCIAL LICENSES FOR IMMIGRANTS - “Si se pudo!-Yes, we did it!” was the jubilant yell chanted by dozens of street vendors gathered at New York’s City Hall. The immigrant vendors’ celebration was due to the city Mayor's signature of a new law that allows them to apply for commercial licenses without having to show proof of legal residence. Marco Vinicio Gonzalez has details from New York City.
IMMIGRANT GROUP INFILTRATED - An ACLU chapter in New Mexico was temporarily closed after the organization found that one of the local leaders of the Minutemen Project had infiltrated their chapter's board. The ACLU is a long-standing organization that advocates for civil liberties in the nation. Dolores M. Bernal reports from Las Cruces, New Mexico.
ARTIFICIAL SEEDS IN MEXICO - Mexico has just joined the list of nations allowing harvesting of genetically modified seeds. The implementation of the so-called Monsanto Law, or Law on Biosafety for Genetically Modified Organisms, gives the green light to farmers who want to use this type of seed in Mexican soil. Scientists and environmentalists warn that the law is a concession for transnational companies and may prove to be expensive for the nation. Our correspondent in Oaxaca, Mexico, Vladimir Flores shares details.
July 22nd | Listen to the program
STUDENTS WILL NOT BE DEPORTED - On Thursday, four undocumented students in Arizona won a legal battle against their deportation to Mexico. After three tough years of legal proceedings, Yuliana Huicochea, Luis Nava, Oscar Corona and Jaime Damian received the surprise of a lifetime when an immigration lawyer decided to suspend their imminent deportation. Now, more than ever, the students claim that they will continue to lobby for the DREAM Act initiative that will legalize more than 65,000 undocumented students. Elvia Diaz spoke to the students on their odyssey.
ACTION SOUGHT ON HEAT-RELATED DEATHS - During the last few days, temperatures in California’s Central Valley have reached more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The death of a 42 year-old farm worker refueled the discussion to create regulations to protect those who work outdoors from intense heat. In response, state authorities assure that they would create emergency regulations within 30 days. Sara Shakir reports from Fresno.
LATINAS FIGHT POLLUTION - Everyone is exposed to toxic chemical substances, yet women are more prone to suffer the consequences. Despite being the group that is most at risk, there are few women involved in the creation of environmental policies. This is the conclusion of a recent report by The Women’s Foundation of California. However, Latina activists in Southern California are not discouraged by the findings, and with few resources and a lot of enthusiasm they are keeping up the fight. Ruben Tapia shares details.
July 29th | Listen to the program
INJURED SEEK CHANGES - A year after California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger approved a law modifying the state’s worker compensation system, the debate surrounding the reform continues. Insurance companies assure that the system lessens costs and respects payments to the injured. However, some legislators and workers complain that payments for work-related injured have decreased, profits for insurance companies have sky rocketed and they urge new rules. Ruben Tapia reports from Los Angeles.
INCREASING CONFLICT AT MEXICAN NEWSPAPER - After six weeks of conflicts and a violent eviction from their newspaper's headquarters, administrators and workers from the Oaxacan daily "Noticias", said they will fight till the end to defend freedom of speech. The journalists claim to be victims of retaliation by Ulises Ruiz’s state government. President Vicente Fox is expected to form a commission to mediate the conflict. Citlali Saenz reports from Mexico City.
TORTURE IN MEXICO - Images from Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad, focused the world's attention on the torture issue. In Mexico, the National Human Rights Commission along with other groups presented a new report that shows this practice continues to be systematic among many of the country's institutions. Our correspondent Kent Paterson spoke with two ex-prisoners who claim to have suffered torture in hands of the police. This report is narrated by Leonardo Lorca.