logo
Border Network for Human Rights holds march, rally in Downtown El Paso

Border Network for Human Rights holds march, rally in Downtown El Paso

Yahoo03-05-2025
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Dozens of community organizations, faith leaders and advocates filled San Jacinto Plaza in Downtown El Paso for the 'Reclaiming Our Dignity and Rights: Community Mobilization' march on Saturday, May 3.
According to the news release by the Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR), the march 'marks the kickoff of the Second Journeys of Resistance, a statewide initiative to reclaim the dignity and rights of marginalized communities across Texas.'
The Border Network for Human Rights organized the event. The organization bills itself as one of the leading human rights advocacy and immigration reform organizations in the country with over 7,000 members in West Texas and Southern New Mexico.
'At a time of growing militarization of border communities, expanding poverty, attacks on public education, health care, and housing, and the ongoing criminalization and dehumanization of immigrants, Black, Brown, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, disabled, and working-class communities, El Paso will rise to declare: We Are America,' BNHR said in a news release.
The march began at the corner of Father Rham and El Paso Street and ended at San Jacinto Plaza with a rally, according to the BNHR.
'This mobilization is a public affirmation that, as border militarization expands under the false guise of security, and as families continue to be torn apart, our communities will stand united to proclaim a bold truth: We All Are America,' Fernando García, executive director of BNHR, said.
According to the BNHR, the march is in collaboration with Border Workers United, Abara, Border Agricultural Workers Project, Texas Rising El Paso, La Mujer Obrera/Familias Unidas del Chamizal, Prince of Peace Christian Fellowship, Spirit of the Lord Ministries, El Paso Teachers Association, Central Labor Union of El Paso, SEIU, and Common Defense-Latine Veterans Caucus.
'We will lift up the histories that define us, name the injustices that continue to wound us, and reclaim the dignity and rights that belong to every member of our communities,' García said.
We have reached out to the Republican Party of El Paso for a comment on this march and rally.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Johnson heading to survival summit
Johnson heading to survival summit

Politico

time3 hours ago

  • Politico

Johnson heading to survival summit

TGIF, Illinois. Cubs at Sox this weekend, a city series that matters for both sides, says the Tribune's Paul Sullivan. TOP TALKER FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is heading to Cleveland today for a strategy session with fellow Democratic mayors who find themselves increasingly on the defensive. The occasion is the 2025 Summit, hosted by the Democratic Mayors Association and led this year by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, a rising mayoral star and a close ally of Johnson. Bibb was just in Chicago for the Aspen Ideas Climate conference and stopped by Chicago's City Hall. 'Community Over Chaos' is the theme of the mayors' event, a not-so-subtle response to how cities feel as they navigate under the Trump administration. As Democrats attempt to govern from the ground up while federal support gets pulled from under them, mayors are leaning on each other more than ever — swapping best practices, policy ideas and, even, survival tactics operating in a Trump world. More than a few cities have been on the receiving end of Donald Trump's wrath. The president has called Chicago an 'embarrassment,' Milwaukee 'horrible' and Philadelphia 'ravaged by bloodshed.' The weekend agenda includes discussions on public safety, infrastructure and housing. And Johnson, whose administration is now pointing to a real decline in Chicago's crime numbers, is set to lead a conversation on how cities can achieve public safety goals. Chicago's mayor will also co-host a separate roundtable with Black mayors to address their own unique issues in governing a city. The speaker list reads like a mini-Democratic convention. On the agenda are DNC Chair Ken Martin, former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and California Congressman Ro Khanna and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear — who might have their eyes on 2028. If you are Ken Martin, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON At Loyola Beach Park at 12:15 p.m. for the 49th Ward Day in the Ward press conference Where's Toni No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ MORNING MONEY: CAPITAL RISK — POLITICO's flagship financial newsletter has a new Friday edition built for the economic era we're living in: one shaped by political volatility, disruption and a wave of policy decisions with sector-wide consequences. Each week, Morning Money: Capital Risk brings sharp reporting and analysis on how political risk is moving markets and how investors are adapting. Want to know how health care regulation, tariffs, or court rulings could ripple through the economy? Start here. BUSINESS OF POLITICS — SMALL WORLD: Dora Pekec, the former campaign manager for Chicago Ald. Bill Conway, is now the press secretary for New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. After Pekec's stint in Chicago, she went on to serve as a spokesperson for the U.S. House Majority PAC and then comms director for Brad Lander in his run for New York mayor (before Mamdani swept the primary). — In IL-02: Donna Moore, a Cook County commissioner, has won the endorsement of a handful of suburban mayors and 10 of her colleagues in her bid for the open congressional seat now held by Robin Kelly, who's running for Congress. Among the supporters are Lynwood Mayor Jada Curry, South Holland Mayor Don DeGraff, Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson and Commissioner Bill Lowry. Here's the full list. — In IL-08: Democratic candidate Neil Khot has been endorsed by Congressman Shri Thanedar, a Michigan Democrat. — In IL-09: Kat Abughazaleh appeared on the CNN roundtable with host Abby Phillip on Thursday talking about the lack of food distribution to Gaza, which has caused some children to die. 'I do not want Israeli children to live in fear. And I don't want Gazan children to starve to death,' she said. 'And there is no enemy of either state that could want me to wish that or excuse the starvation of children. It is that simple,' she said during the heated conversation. — Elizabeth Granato, who's running for an open seat on the Cook County Board, has been endorsed by veteran Commissioners Scott Britton, Bill Lowry, Stanley Moore and Josina Morita. — Rob Russell, the former Kane County coroner, is running for county sheriff. Details here THE STATEWIDES — Illinoisans will see reduced SNAP benefits under federal bill: 'The legislation removes work requirement exemptions for 23,000 unhoused, veterans, or youth aged out of foster care in Illinois, according to the governor's office,' via the State Journal-Register's Tom Ackerman. — Madigan's political fixer gets 2-year prison sentence: 'You preferred secrecy and lies': 'Michael McClain was sentenced Thursday for his role in a plot to illegally influence former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan on behalf of ComEd,' by the Sun-Times' Jon Seidel. — Tariffs, DOGE cuts and more: How Trump's first 6 months have impacted Illinois, by the State Journal-Register's Tom Ackerman — Nuke bill: State Senate Minority Deputy Leader Sue Rezin has filed legislation to streamline the siting and permitting process for new small modular nuclear reactors: The goal is 'to meet electricity demand,' she said in a statement. CHICAGO — Never mind. Johnson rules out property tax hike in 2026 budget: 'Days after Chicago's chief financial officer said a property tax increase would 'likely' be included in the 2026 budget proposal, Mayor Brandon Johnson backed away from the claim. 'I will not be proposing a property tax increase in my budget,' he told reporters,' via Crain's Justin Laurence. — Community members to CPS board: Don't cut schools, get money from city or state to fill deficit: 'Many Chicago Board of Education members agree with community members and want additional revenue from Chicago or Illinois officials to fill the looming $734 million budget deficit. But they say they can't force the city or state to act,' by WBEZ's Sarah Karp and the Sun-Times' Emmanuel Camarillo. — Chicago school board moves to make more students eligible for accelerated coursework, by Chalkbeat's Reema Amin — Judges appoint Andrew Boutros as Chicago's top federal prosecutor: 'Boutros was appointed by the Trump administration on an interim basis and took office in April. His appointment was set to expire in early August. Thursday's order installing him as U.S. Attorney is effective Aug. 5,' by Bloomberg Law's Megan Crepeau. — NASCAR wants to revive the Chicagoland Speedway: 'We do hope to bring NASCAR racing back to Chicagoland Speedway at some point in the future,' a spokesperson told Crain's Jack Grieve. — More people have been giving up their dogs and cats, citing a tough economy and housing restrictions, by the Sun-Times' Mariah Rush — Downtown Chicago building renamed after longtime Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, by ABC 7's Evelyn Holmes COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — ICE arrests person without warrant at Maywood Courthouse, coalition says, by the Sun-Times' Kade Heather — Eileen O'Neill Burke calls program allowing CPD officers to directly file felony gun charges an 'overwhelming success,': 'Critics renew their objections,' by WTTW's Heather Cherone — Former Glendale Heights village president accused of forgery, perjury, by the Daily Herald's Susan Sarkauskas — Former Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard released from contempt, fines in one FOIA lawsuit; village assessed in another, by the Daily Southtown's Olivia Stevens TAKING NAMES — Barack Obama says grown-ups shouldn't be eating ketchup: 'The former president's anti-ketchup stance, which he reiterated on a recent episode of former first lady Michelle Obama's podcast, is rooted in Chicago's hot dog culture,' by the Block Club's Patrick Filbin. — Carol Moseley Braun reflects on life, historic political career in new memoir, by WTTW's Bridgette Adu-Wadier MEDIA MATTERS — Tribune begins newsroom layoffs in wake of failed buyouts: Seven people were laid off, including Guild reporters. 'The layoffs come as the paper's owner, Alden Global Capital, an investment firm known for buying news media ventures and then slashing their staffs to cut costs, makes an $88 million bid for the Dallas Morning News through its subsidiary, MediaNews Group,' by Crain's Laura Turbay. Reader Digest We asked what policy or law noticeably improved your community. Kay Hatcher: 'The 'Right To Farm' plat amendment in Kendall County that protects farmers from noise and animal complaints by newer residents. We welcome new neighbors, but don't move here and complain about tractor noise or pigs -- because they were here first.' Mimi Cowan: 'The zoning changes to allow more multi-family housing construction passed in the 1990s in Naperville's downtown area. Density = Life.' Joan Pederson: 'The 1967 ban on burning soft coal in Chicago: Air became breathable and spring vacation was no longer for scrubbing away winter's soot.' James Scalzitti: 'The 2014's 'Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act,' aka Illinois' Marriage Equality law, in numerous ways, tangible and intangible.' Timothy Thomas: 'In the early 2000s, the alderwoman and residents of Chicago's 17th Ward implemented a liquor license moratorium that effectively reduced certain behaviors. However, it was lifted in 2016 by the current alderman, without public input, leading to predictable outcomes.' NEXT QUESTION: What did you accomplish in your student government role? KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16), with the support of the entire Illinois congressional delegation, has introduced legislation to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Bloomington the 'Andrew Jackson Smith Medal of Honor Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic.' — Congressmembers Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and Robin Kelly (IL-02) has joined a handful of their colleagues to introduce the bipartisan Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act. The legislation would re-establish the federal water-assistance program created during the Covid-19 pandemic and expired in 2022. If approved, funding will go from states to utility companies and be deducted from household bills. — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) has reintroduced the Choosing Our Own Lives Over Fast Firearms (COOL OFF) Act with 16 original cosponsors. The legislation would implement a mandatory three-business-day waiting period for all handgun purchases nationwide. THE NATIONAL TAKE — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers will not seek reelection, by POLITICO's Jacob Wendler and Elena Schneider — Independents are increasingly souring on Trump, new poll finds, by POLITICO's Cheyanne M. Daniels — Trump's 'South Park' Problem: A sign he's lost control of the Epstein narrative, by POLITICO's Calder McHugh — RNC Chair Michael Whatley to run for Senate in North Carolina with Trump's support, by POLITICO's Dasha Burns TRANSITIONS — Juliette Chandler is now deputy comms director for Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi's U.S. Senate campaign. She was digital director and press secretary for Congresswoman Lori Trahan a Massachusetts Democrat. — Kyle Southern has been named executive director of the national Partnership for College Completion, based in Chicago. He was associate VP for the Institute for College Access & Success in Washington, D.C. — Catherine Goldhaber is now a partner at Lathrop GPM's Chicago office in its tort, insurance and environmental practice group. She was a partner at Hawkins Parnell & Young. EVENTS — Saturday: U.S. Senate candidate and Congresswoman Robin Kelly will be a headliner at the Annual Democrats Day at the Stephenson County Fair. Details here — Aug. 6: State Rep. Maurice West is holding his WESTFest fundraiser to prepare for his run for a fifth term. This year's event is special because it comes as he celebrates his 40th birthday. West, who's also a saxophonist and music composer, will showcase three new songs to mark the occasion. Details here TRIVIA THURSDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to La'Mont Williams for correctly answering that Wrigley Field was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006. TODAY's QUESTION: What Chicago street shares its name with two Illinois rivers? Email your answer to: skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Today: State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, Rep. Chuy Garcia's District Outreach Director María Velázquez, Lactalis Group Government Affairs Director Jeff Troupe, Schwalb Realty Group Executive VP Joyce Wippman, BRick Partners co-founder Karen Muchin and MWRD Commissioner Eira Corral Sepulveda's Environmental Policy and Comms Director Rolando Favela Saturday: Former state Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson, former Ald. Michael R. Zalewski, public affairs consultant Thom Serafin, SEIU Local 1 Political Director Mario Lopez, former University of Illinois administrator Barry Munitz, entrepreneur John Vlahakis, former Chicago Bear Tarik Cohen and former Ald. Ike Carothers Sunday: former National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett, One Future Illinois VP Jonathan Swain, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation's Chandra Brown, Lime Chief Policy Officer David Spielfogel, strategic comms expert Brian Berg, former City Treasurer Barbara Lumpkin and Jenner & Block Chicago Managing Partner Melissa Root -30-

We can't abolish America's largest teachers union. But Congress can do something else
We can't abolish America's largest teachers union. But Congress can do something else

Fox News

time4 hours ago

  • Fox News

We can't abolish America's largest teachers union. But Congress can do something else

For decades, the National Education Association (NEA) – the country's largest teachers union – has amassed nearly unrivaled political power with which to pursue its own narrow self-interest and impose its radical social and economic agenda. COVID-19 placed the NEA under the microscope as never before, offering the union an opportunity for some much-needed introspection. In 2021, the Wall Street Journal editorial board proclaimed what informed conservatives have long known and what, by that time, had become obvious to the public at large: The NEA is "the ideological and institutional vanguard of progressive politics," a "powerful wing of the Democratic Party," and intent on "invading" public schools with "progressive politics." But instead of abandoning its partisan special interests and returning to its early mission of "[promoting] the cause of education in the United States," the NEA emerged from the pandemic determined to double down on every one of its harmful, misguided beliefs and ideologies. The NEA's annual Representative Assembly, held this month in Portland, generated headlines and mockery as copies of the controversial resolutions approved by the union's delegates were leaked to the public, including everything from attacking democratically elected President Donald Trump as a "fascist" to undermining the enforcement of our immigration laws and, in a brazen display of the union's antisemitism, cutting ties with the pro-Jewish Anti-Defamation League. While the growing public outcry over their extremism led the NEA to stop making its convention resolutions publicly available, the dizzying array of woke material freely available on the union's website is even more shocking. For instance, some of the "important" documents posted online for attendees at the NEA's Portland convention included: a "Pronoun Guide" claiming that people who do not habitually share their pronouns are "unsafe"; a byzantine "Land Acknowledgement Guide" directing readers to fight "colonization" by reminding attendees at any event of the "dispossession of Indigenous land and people"; and a form to submit complaints to the NEA's "Committee on Equity & Ethnic Harmony" should any conference attendee breach social justice protocols. More concerning was the NEA's nine-page "report" for convention delegates highlighting the union's priorities and activities in the first half of the year. Among other things, the union boasted about: "taking the lead in filing lawsuits" against the Trump administration; fighting efforts to defund DEI in public schools; shuttering schools with strikes; fighting "authoritarianism" and engaging in "resistance" by supporting the "No Kings" rally and similar protests; backing "World Pride and LGBTQ+ Pride Month"; organizing "labor opposition" to immigration enforcement; and working to "flip" the U.S. House of Representatives to Democrats in 2026. Notably absent from the union's achievements? Improving student learning, promoting family values or using tax dollars efficiently. If this is what happens when NEA completely controls an event and its programming, the union's tremendous influence over classrooms is a five-alarm fire not just for public education, but the future of our country. Congressional action addressing the pernicious influence of the teachers unions is long overdue. That's why I (Mr. Fitzgerald) and Sen. Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming have introduced the Stopping Teachers Unions from Damaging Education Needs Today (STUDENT) Act, which would overhaul the NEA's federal charter to make the union more accountable and less partisan. The NEA received a federal charter by act of Congress in 1906, granting it special recognition shared by only 95 organizations, including such storied American institutions as the Boy Scouts, the U.S. Olympic Committee and the VFW – company which the NEA no longer deserves to keep. Congressional Republicans have long proposed addressing the NEA's ideological extremism by repealing its federal charter. But as the Freedom Foundation explained in a 2023 report, the NEA incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia long before receiving its federal charter, meaning it would continue to exist and operate as it does now even if stripped of its special federal recognition. The STUDENT Act takes a different approach, rewriting the union's charter rather than repealing it. According to the Freedom Foundation's analysis, the NEA's charter lacks many of the safeguards and accountability mechanisms common in other federal charters intended to ensure the chartered organizations remain uncontroversial, patriotic and deserving of federal recognition. Under the STUDENT Act, the NEA would have to abide by the same rules as other federally chartered entities, such as refraining from partisan political advocacy and abiding by corporate transparency requirements. The legislation also addresses some of the worst NEA practices unique to its status as a labor union, requiring it to respect teachers' First Amendment right to refrain from union membership, prohibiting it from closing schools with damaging strikes, barring the union from advocating for the core concepts of critical race theory, and more. Perhaps most importantly, the STUDENT Act would end direct and indirect taxpayer subsidies for the NEA and its affiliates around the country. Conservatives recognize that the time for action is now, with more than 30 organizations around the country endorsing the STUDENT Act. Republicans in Congress scored a huge win for education freedom with the recent passage of school choice tax credits in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. But the next step in making public education great again should be taking on the NEA.

Big win for charter schools as court strikes down L.A. Unified policy
Big win for charter schools as court strikes down L.A. Unified policy

Los Angeles Times

time5 hours ago

  • Los Angeles Times

Big win for charter schools as court strikes down L.A. Unified policy

In a victory for Los Angeles charter schools, a judge has struck down a sweeping Los Angeles Unified policy that would have prevented charters — the school of choice for 1 in 5 L.A. public-school students — from using classroom space at nearly 350 campuses. The policy, set to go into effect when the new school year opens in three weeks, had effectively barred charter schools from moving onto campuses with certain designations — including those with a special program for Black students, low-performing 'priority' schools, and community schools, which have wrap-around services to address the needs of students and families inside and outside the classroom. Altogether, some 346 campuses — out of about 1,000 — would have been off limits to charters, which are privately managed public schools. The ruling invalidated key elements of a high-profile school district policy that was supported by a board majority —but was strenuously fought by charters who said it denied them state-permitted access to space in public school facilities. 'This is a victory for all public school families and a critical affirmation of the rights of charter public school students across Los Angeles,' said Myrna Castrejón, president and chief executive of California Charter Schools Assn., which filed the litigation against Los Angeles Unified and its Board of Education. 'We're grateful the court recognized that LAUSD's blatant attempt to exclude charter public school students from learning alongside traditional district school students in the communities they share violates California law,' Castrejón said. There are 235 charters in L.A. Unified, more than any other school system in the nation. L.A. County Superior Court Judge Stephen I. Goorvitch upheld portions of the district policy, a point the school system focused on in a statement. L.A. Unified still will be able to restrict the location of charters based on safety or capacity issues. 'We are very pleased with most aspects of the court's ruling,' the statement said. The charter association 'significantly mischaracterizes the plain language of both the policy and last month's ruling. We remain firmly committed to serving the best interests of all students in our school communities while continuing to meet our legal obligations.' The school district has not decided whether to challenge the ruling. The battle over access to schools is decades long — with a trail of lawsuits. Yet in the 1990s, before that legal acrimony, charter schools offered L.A. Unified an escape valve for overcrowded traditional public schools. But charters met with union and other political opposition when they exercised their legal right to make use of these crowded public-school campuses. Charters are mostly non-union and receive the per-pupil public funding like traditional California public school students. Charter growth, housing affordability, lower birth rates and immigration decline have pushed down L.A. Unified enrollment, which has decreased by about 50% from its peak. Theoretically, classroom space should be available for all, but the competition for a smaller number of students remains intense. And, supporters of traditional schools say their campuses need more space to operate an expanded array of programs that help students succeed. They say the old formula for determining what can be handed over to charters is unfair and undermines their work — especially the important efforts of the Black Student Achievement Plan, the priority schools and community schools. But many charter schools also are state-designated community schools and L.A. Unified took no action to protect their special status and mission. While enrollment has declined faster in district-run schools, charters, too, have closed or consolidated with fewer students to go around. The ruling arrived at an especially challenging time for both charters and district-operated campuses. The Trump administration — although it is pro-charter — has scrambled the equation. L.A. charter schools and the school district have linked arms in defense of immigrant students and their families. And federal budget cuts are affecting all public schools. 'You're watching federal funding ... likely being disrupted, which impacts some of our highest-need kids,' said Amy Held, executive director of Larchmont Charter School. And federal immigration enforcement has 'impacted attendance. It's impacted graduation ceremonies. There's just a palpable fear, I think, that is not healthy for anyone.' In this shared crisis, said charter association vice president Keith Dell'Aquila. 'the district has been a good partner to our schools and our families ... whether it's helping to share and amplify resources, [or] being willing to take calls and consult.' California law gives charter schools the right to public-school facilities that are 'reasonably equivalent' to those available to other public-school students. The law also sets up a process through which charter schools can request space and pay rent to school districts. The L.A. Unified policy, which the Board of Education approved 4 to 3 in 2024, 'prioritizes District schools over charter schools and is too vague,' Goorvitch concluded in a June 27 ruling. 'To the maximum extent practicable, the needs of the charter school must be given the same consideration as those of the district-run schools.' Charters leaders have been worried that, with so many restrictions, they would be pushed out of communities and forced to operate their schools out out of two or more district-run campuses, rather than keep their student body in one place. A school-district staff analysis validated some of these concerns. 'This could significantly limit the number of TK-12 school sites that could potentially be matched to fulfill the District's legal obligations,' the analysis stated. 'It is likely that there will be more multi-site offers... This may also lead to increased costs associated with renovation work to make sites ready for co-location, and would likely make it more challenging for the District when making 'reasonable efforts' to locate the charter school 'near' where it wishes to locate.' Charter critics object to the legal obligation imposed on public school districts to share campus space, which was established by voter-approved Proposition 39 in 2000. They note that mandatory campus sharing was a little-noticed provision of Proposition 39, which was touted mainly for lowering the threshold to pass voter-approved school-construction bonds. Under Proposition 39, charters cannot be barred from campuses or simply offered leftover over campus space. The sharing process is cumbersome and must be restarted every year. Over time, most charter schools have made other arrangements. A few have negotiated multi-year sharing deals with L.A. Unified. For the 2015–16 school year, L.A. Unified received 101 requests. For the soon-to-begin 2025–26 school year, the district received 38 requests — a huge drop-off but still a number representing more than 9,300 students. Six of these charters will have to operate out of more than one district site.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store