 |
 |
Noticiero Latino Highlights for January 2003
Friday, January 3rd, 2003
- Congressman Richard Gephardt announces creation of exploratory committee for possible presidential candidacy in 2004.
- President Bush will present plan to stimulate U.S. economy including tax cuts for companies and investors in effort to increase employment.
- Congressmen Charles Rangel (D-NY) and John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) will introduce legislation to reinstate mandatory military conscription for all eligible youths.
- New York City’s administration faces lawsuit by former employees claiming they were unfairly fired for racist display during 1998 Labor Day Parade.
- President Bush visits Fort Hood in Texas to rally troops that may be deployed to Persian Gulf.
- Firestone and Ford companies reach out of court agreement in Los Angeles to settle million-dollar lawsuit by Dolores Castro who suffered serious injuries in an auto accident.
- Florida newspaper reports social workers overlooked suspicious signs of abuse by guardians, resulting in close to 100 deaths of children under state care.
- EPA report finds that compared to Anglo communities, Latino neighborhoods in California have 17 percent more pollution.
- Ecumenical Migrant Project announces that local authorities began eviction of migrant workers living in a camp in Carlsbad, California.
- Mexico’s small farmers warn of impending bankruptcies in case the federal government and agricultural coalition do not reach agreement to protect them against duty free U.S. agricultural products.
Monday, January 6th, 2003
- Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) announces creation of exploratory committee for possible presidential candidacy in 2004.
- Pentagon announces that U.S. plans to send close to 100,000 soldiers to Iraq in an effort to “democratize” country.
- U.S. Department of Justice says there is not enough evidence to file lawsuit against four police officers from Baytown, Texas who killed a Mexican national.
- Federal authorities in San Francisco announce pilot program to allow Mexicans to enter city’s federal building and courthouse with consular ID card.
- Former Braceros will march in Mexico City on April 6th to demand a bi-national effort to recover their lost savings fund.
- First Latino councilman in Chicago Heights, Illinois may leave office to report to Missouri for possible deployment to the Persian Gulf.
- Dozens of Latinos join Middle Eastern immigrants to protest INS raids in Southern California.
- Florida’s Governor, Jeb Bush, participates in several public events to celebrate new term in office.
- Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Castañeda says that instead of seeking modifications to NAFTA, Mexicans should support immigrant legalization efforts.
Tuesday, January 7th, 2003
- U.S. Congress begins new session with Republican majority in both House and Senate; one of the first issues addressed is extension of unemployment benefits.
- Florida’s Governor, Jeb Bush, must begin new term by carrying out two costly projects to improve education and diversify state’s economy.
- Chicago-based Acme Barrel closes its doors after paying $100,000 in fines for violations to environmental laws affecting nearby Latino neighborhood.
- Los Angeles Police Department finds more Latinos and African Americans are detained and searched by its officers.
- U.S. Surgeon General, Richard Carmona, suggests cultural changes to fight obesity, which has become an epidemic in the country.
- Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture, Javier Usabiaga is booed during speech at convention of PRI affiliated farmers, after suggesting farmers not NAFTA are to blame for sector problems.
Wednesday, January 8th, 2003
- Senate Minority Leader, Tom Daschle (D-ND) says he will not run for President in 2004.
- U.S. Senate approves measure to extend unemployment benefits to more than 800,000 job-less people.
- Florida’s Governor, Jeb Bush, says he will begin strong campaign for family unity; Bush vows to set an example with his own family.
- Chicago Activists, including many Latinos, demonstrate against President Bush’s economic plan claiming it hurts the needy.
- Group of Argentineans in Los Angeles hold forum to discuss country’s persistent social and economic problems.
- Miguel Ruiz Cabañas, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the OAS, says country will accept decision of UN Security Council regarding Iraq.
Thursday, January 9th, 2003
- President Bush signs law allowing 13-week extension of unemployment benefits to more than 2 million people.
- President Bush names controversial diplomat, Otto Reich to a National Security Council post, avoiding Senate confirmation.
- New York City and State’s Supreme Court sign agreement to provide medical treatment to former inmates with mental health problems.
- Federal government will investigate detentions of 8 immigrants apparently held by a smuggling ring in Houston, Texas.
- California’s Governor, Gray Davis, plans to increase taxes by one cent per dollar to form budget that protects state’s public health and education programs.
- Florida’s Governor, Jeb Bush, explores measures for class-size reduction, approved by voters in last elections.
- Mexico’s President, Vicente Fox, confirms he has received resignation of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Castañeda.
- City Council of San Luis Obispo in California signs resolution opposing war against Iraq.
Friday, January 10th, 2003
- President Bush nominates for the second time Attorney Miguel Estrada for federal judge in Washington D.C.’s Court of Appeals.
- Central American officials meet with U.S. counterparts to continue talks for a possible free trade agreement.
- Chief of UN weapons inspections teams Hans Blix says inspectors have not discovered evidence that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction.
- Immigrants from 14 countries in Middle East and North Africa must register with INS before 5pm today; many fear detentions.
- The Pentagon deploys 560 Florida National Guardsmen without disclosing their destination.
- Peace coalition and Venezuelan immigrants in Los Angeles plan to demonstrate this weekend against war in Iraq and in support of President Hugo Chavez.
- U.S. Border Patrol in San Diego chase vehicle carrying undocumented migrants, resulting in death of 2 women and 13 injured.
- Mexico’s Minister of Economy says agreement with U.S. for protection of country’s small farmers, after tariff lifts to subsidized U.S. products, may be reached by Friday.
Monday, January 13th, 2003
- Democratic Senator Joseph Lieberman announces run for President in 2004.
- Thousands demonstrate in Los Angeles against war with Iraq.
- Illinois Governor George Ryan’s decision to commute the death sentence of more than 150 inmates stirrs state debate.
- Clonaid official must appear in Florida court to give information on first baby allegedly cloned by group.
- Mexican diplomat sees new emphasis in trade less on diplomacy under newly named Chancellor Luis Ernesto Derbez.
Tuesday, January 14th, 2003
- U.S. Department of Defense holds military practices in Puerto Rican Island of Vieques as part of its final 4 months in island.
- Bush Administration officials and representatives of international organizations meet in Washington, to discuss growing Venezuelan crisis.
- INS intensifies raids against immigrants of Middle Eastern descent in New York; INS is now under Homeland Security Department.
- President Bush may name Carlos Bea to San Francisco’s Court of Appeals, according to San Jose Mercury News.
- Florida’s Governor Jeb Bush says public school teachers will not receive wage increases due to state’s budget deficit.
- New Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich says state’s 5 billion dollar deficit is larger that what he expected.
- Federal authorities and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department agree to work on reforms to better identify and treat mentally ill inmates.
- Immigrant rights coalition demonstrates at San Diego’s federal building against U.S. Border Patrol high-speed persecutions of vehicles carrying undocumented immigrants.
- Former New York City Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, visits Mexico City to help authorities control high crime levels.
Wednesday, January 15th, 2003
- White House to send formal letter to U.S. Supreme Court against affirmative action programs at University of Michigan.
- Senator John Warner (R-VA) presents claim against White House, questioning if President Bush can end military practices in Vieques without Congressional approval.
- Texas Governor, Rick Perry says U.S. Department of State should continue to pressure Mexico to return water under 1944 treaty.
- American Community Survey finds number of families in New York City that receive public assistance declined from 4.2 to 3.7 percent.
- John Hopkins University’s Hispanic Voter Project finds U.S. politicians spent close to 16 million dollars in Spanish-language advertising; Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich spent 180,000.
- Ecuadorian residents in Los Angeles express optimism over new President and former military general Lucio Gutierrez.
- Los Angeles Board of Supervisors approves measure for permanent acceptance of consular ID card.
- Attorney General John Aschroft announces electronic inspection system in U.S.-Mexico border will be fully installed in 1 or 2 years.
- Bank of Mexico’s President Guillermo Ortiz Martinez, says country’s economy faces tough year due to U.S. economic downturn and possible war against Iraq.
Thursday, January 16th, 2003
- Organization of American States (OAS) creates “Venezuelan Friends” a group formed by Ministers of Foreign Affairs to help country overcome crisis.
- President Bush announces opposition to affirmative action programs at University of Michigan, in case before U.S. Supreme Court.
- ACLU report says that constitutional rights of U.S. residents are in danger due to government’s electronic surveillance.
- Florida’s Court of Appeals may consider reviewing law that requires sexual offenders to register in public files.
- Carlos Moreno, driver of vehicle carrying undocumented immigrants during recent high-speed chase by Border Patrol in California, pleads not guilty to harges.
Friday, January 17th, 2003
- Florida’s Governor Jeb Bush sends letter to U.S. Supreme Court asking for annulment of affirmative action programs at University of Michigan.
- In New York City, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez calls opposition a subersive movement and declares he will step down if not reelected.
- Day Laborers in Pilsen, IL gain temporary employment center.
- Peaceful protest in Los Angeles’ federal building results in arrest of 17 activists staging demonstration against war with Iraq.
- Human rights groups from Mexico and U.S. protest in Tijuana, against border patrol’s high-speed chases of undocumented immigrants.
- Mexico’s new Economic Secretary, Fernando Canales Clarion says NAFTA will not be renegotiated.
Tuesday, January 21st, 2003
- President Bush proposes 5 percent funding increase for colleges and universities with high Latino and African American enrollment.
- President Bush meets with economic advisors to discuss domestic economy and effects of crisis in Venezuela.
- Secretary of State, Collin Powell unsuccessfully seeks support among UN member nations for a possible showdown with Iraq.
- Air quality office of Imperial Valley in California announces new energy plants on Mexican side of border will begin trial operations; contestants claim plants will produce over 4,000 tons of contaminants per year.
- Mexican government to request halt of executions of nationals in U.S., claiming country has violated inmates’ consular rights under the Vienna Convention.
- Florida experts anticipate flaws on law approved by Governor Jeb Bush that will link drivers’ licenses to Visas.
- Study by UC San Francisco finds that tobacco addiction causes close to 43,000 deaths annually in California.
- Los Angeles residents celebrate 12th annual parade honoring Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Close to 12,500 soldiers stationed in Fort Hood, Texas receive deployment orders to Persian Gulf region.
- Mexico’s Director of Economic Studies, Mario Rodarte says uncertainty on war against Iraq will result in increasing fuel prices.
Wednesday, January 22nd, 2003
- Government officials in Mexico declare state of emergency in five counties in the state of Colima, after region registers a 7.6 earthquake.
- Florida’s Governor, Jeb Bush presents budget that will benefit public schools.
- U.S. Census finds that for the first time in history, number of Latinos exceeds African Americans; 38 million Latinos live in the U.S., compared to 35 million African Americans.
- Texas Governor, Rick Perry, celebrates inauguration of new term promising to protect natural resources and increase education spending.
- Latino leaders in California demand more political representation for state’s growing Latino community.
- Democratic members of California’s Hispanic Caucus vow to protect needy residents during sessions to cut close to 45 percent of state budget.
- Pro-choice advocates and contestants organize demonstrations on 30th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.
- New York’s Attorney General, Elliot Spitzer will send letter to U.S. Supreme Court supporting University of Michigan’s affirmative action policies.
Thursday, January 23rd, 2003
- U.S. Senate confirms Tom Ridge as Secretary of newly created Homeland Security Department.
- New York Governor, George Pataki asks Attorney General John Ashcroft to help families of 9-11 victims to stay in U.S. even if they are undocumented.
- Census report on Latino growth in U.S. may create changes in ethnic relations: Center for Immigration Studies.
- San Francisco Board of Supervisors approves resolution condemning U.S. Patriot Act; supervisors claim the law violates residents’ civil rights.
- Florida authorities announce state emergency systems are prepared to face upcoming cold wave.
- Mexican center-left PRD party in Mexico proposes to change country’s official name from United Mexican States to Mexico.
Friday, January 24th, 2003
- Newly created Homeland Security Department, headed by former Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Ridge, begins operations.
- Secretary of State, Collin Powell and British counterpart, Jack Straw, continue talks in Washington, on a possible alliance in case of a showdown with Iraq.
- New York City and State authorities announce highest unemployment rate since 1994; jobless rate is 8.4 percent.
- Expert panel reviewing U.S./Mexico water dispute conclude conflict should be given same importance as oil issues, but does not offer concrete solutions.
- Florida Governor, Jeb Bush, presents school vouchers as an alternative for class-size reduction; critics say proposal would cut funding from public schools.
- Los Angeles-based, Casa de Mexicano, organizes efforts to collect donations for victims of recent earthquake in Colima, Mexico.
- Los Angeles Times acknowledges that FARC guerrilla detains two correspondents in Colombia.
- San Diego Police Department says it has not collaborated with INS in raids connected with security for upcoming Super Bowl game.
- President of Mexico’s Council of Foreign Trade, Carlos Rojas, says electoral year, and not NAFTA, is cause for uproar in agricultural industry.
Monday, January 27th, 2003
- White House says Iraq continues to enforce policies that fail to comply with UN resolutions, after inspectors present incomplete arms records.
- UN Chief Inspector, Hans Blix, and head of International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei request more time to complete weapons inspections in Iraq.
- Iraqi Ambassador, Mohammed Aldouri, says U.S. and Britain have failed to produce evidence on sites claimed to produce weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
- Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) will present for Senate vote Manuel Estrada’s’ nomination to Washington D.C.’s Court of Appeals.
- Florida residents’ welcome INS decision to lower by 25 percent the cost of citizenship, residency and work permit forms.
- Several counties in Texas retract decision to accept Mexican consular cards as valid ID.
- American Red Cross raises more than 100,000 dollars from Los Angeles area residents for victims of earthquake in Mexican state of Colima.
- Dozens of immigrants from countries linked to terrorism are detained in San Diego and face deportation as part of security for the Super Bowl game.
- Representatives for small farmers in Mexico refuse to accept summons by federal government to discuss Mexico’s agricultural crisis; farmers continue plans for massive demonstrations in Mexico City on January 31st.
Tuesday, January 28th, 2003
- President Bush will give State of Union Address tonight focusing on the possibility of war against Iraq, economy, employment, and public health.
- Congressman Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX), President of Congressional Hispanic Caucus, says group will pay close attention to how President Bush plans to help the Latino community.
- Federal study finds that three-fourths of the workers that participated in clean-up and rescue efforts on ground zero after 9-11 attacks, suffer from nasal, throat, and lung problems.
- Federal government will launch campaign to find 15,000 immigrants living in Houston that may me eligible to apply for permanent U.S. residency.
- Study finds that in U.S., 60 percent of low-income Latino households with children between ages of 18-24, lack necessary knowledge about student loans and scholarships.
- Former Braceros in Los Angeles collect signatures so they can be included in audit of Mexican bank Banrural; Braceros fear bank will be closed before they can retrieve their lost wages.
- Study by Latino Coalition for a Healthy California finds that close to 2 million Latinos in California lack medical insurance.
Back
to Previous Programs
Noticiero Today