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Culture

Skaters come together in peaceful BLM protest

Megan Gleason | June 23

Go Skateboarding Day took place on June 21, bringing not only joy to skateboarders around the United States but also a peaceful skateboarding protest to Albuquerque. The protest, entitled “Push for Peace,” started with a voter registration drive at the University of New Mexico’s Smith Plaza and ended with a skate down Central Avenue to Civic Plaza. “When you have a skateboard and you’re skating, you’re treated how I think everyone should be treated,” local skateboarder Tyniesha Thompson said. The event was promoted by Grandma Skateboards and organized by Andrae Satcher, Jake Alsept and Noah Cook.

Culture

Easy recipe for New Mexico state cookie

Ellie Aikman | June 23

Are you a true New Mexican? Put yourself to the test by making the New Mexico state cookie, the bizcochito. Bizcochitos are cookies with origins in the Spanish colony of Santa Fe de Nuevo México flavored with anise and cinnamon. Traditionally, the cookies are cut into the shape of crescent moons and stars. They can be seen made for holidays and events such as weddings, and it is often served alongside a cup of hot chocolate. Developed centuries ago, the bizcochito was brought to New Mexico by Spanish colonists and by immigrants from other Hispanic countries. It was also greatly influenced by local and Indigenous customs.

News

APD, mayor deny mishandling of police response to Oñate protest, shooting

Bella Davis | June 23

In the week since Steven Baca shot and injured Scott Williams at a protest against the statue of conquistador Juan de Oñate in Old Town on June 15, the Albuquerque Police Department has been criticized for its handling of the shooting. APD, along with Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, have since defended the police response. Judge Charles Brown ordered Baca to be released from custody on Monday ahead of his trial. Baca faces two counts of battery and one aggravated battery charge for attacking three women at the protest, which was captured on video and has been corroborated by witnesses. KUNM producer Marisa Demarco was at the protest and witnessed Baca throw a woman to the ground, which was the incident that directly preceded the shooting — protesters pursued Baca after that violent attack and during the ensuing confrontation, Baca shot Williams.

Culture

Black Lives Matter at UNM African American Student Services

Megan Gleason | June 23

"To think about the most ideal world means that we have to unthink our own knowledge we currently have ... to try to unthink all bias, unthink all racism, unthink all 'isms' and think about what is that utopian world that we're looking at," Brandi Stone, the director of African American Student Services (AASS) at the University of New Mexico, said about the Black Lives Matter movement. Protests for the movement began anew after George Floyd's murder at the hands of a police officer on May 25. Stone said that this was a tipping point for the white community but "Black and brown bodies-- we've already experienced the tipping point."

News

UNM eliminates fall break amid preparations for hybrid semester

Spencer Butler | June 22

The University of New Mexico’s 2020 fall semester schedule has been released after a lengthy revision process due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fall break has been eliminated in favor of two separate, one-day breaks in October and November. All in-person classes will cease after the Thanksgiving break and be carried out in an online-only format until Dec. 4. The start date of the fall semester has remained the same — Aug. 17 — and Labor Day will still be a day off for all UNM students, but the two new break days are on Oct. 7 and Nov. 3, respectively.

Opinion

Comics for June 21, 2020

Rhianna Roberts and Victor Martinez | June 21

Daily Lobo comics for June 21, 2020.

News

‘Now is the time to act’: Substantial police reform largely absent at special session

Bella Davis | June 20

SANTA FE — In a state that’s seen its share of unrest over police brutality and systemic racism, police reform legislation is lacking as the special session of the Legislature heads into the third day. A bill passed by the Senate and another by the House late Friday night have already received criticism for not going far enough while Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has blocked two other reform bills from being heard. After partisan debate, the Senate approved a bill (SB 8) sponsored by Sen. Joseph Cervantes that would require law enforcement officers to use body cameras. The bill would also mandate that officers who are convicted of unlawful use of force have their law enforcement certification revoked.

News

State Senate bill seeks to expand mail-in voting for general election

Spencer Butler | June 19

SANTA FE — On June 18, the New Mexico Senate put forth a bill aimed at expanding mail-in voting access for the 2020 general election across the state. The legislation later morphed in committee to allow independents or those unaffiliated with a major party to change their party affiliation on the same day that they cast a ballot. Senate Bill 4 — introduced by Democratic Senators Daniel Ivey-Soto and Gabriel Ramos and backed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham — aims to allow county clerks to automatically send mail-in ballots to registered voters without requiring people to request them.

Culture

Digital artists weave technology and fashion to transcend physical limitations

Joseph McKee / @josephdmckee / Daily Lobo | June 19

Fashion has always been a medium that allows both designers and models alike a physical outlet of expression. As we advance further into the 21st century, pairing the need for expression with the limitless bounds of digital software and the internet has become a must. In 2020, we have already entered a new space for fashion through Computer Generated Imagery (CGI). CGI allows the entire fashion industry to be revolutionized, from designers to models to advertisements. By using digital software programs like Adobe, CLO 3D and Daz, 3D artists are now able to explore the medium of fashion outside of physical limits.

News

Police misconduct investigation cleanup missing from special session

Bella Davis | June 19

SANTA FE — Spurred by the police murder of George Floyd and subsequent worldwide protests against systemic racism and police brutality, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced on Wednesday that police reform would be included at the special session. The session began at noon on Thursday. Notably missing from the Governor’s call was a House bill that would have reformed police misconduct investigations. State Rep. Antonio "Moe" Maestas said the bill would have changed a state law that makes investigating police misconduct more difficult.

News

Opportunity Scholarship funding in jeopardy as legislative special session starts

Spencer Butler | June 18

SANTA FE — A special session of the state legislature will get underway today, where several University of New Mexico-related issues are set to be discussed. Among them is the legislative budget, which is currently facing a $2 billion hole due to a drop in oil and gas prices as extraction in the Permian basin and travel have come to a virtual standstill. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham proposed a plan on June 10 to offset the budget shortfall by using a mix of federal stimulus funding, spending cuts and cash reserves. However, the Legislative Finance Committee proposed its own plan, which saw many differences.

Culture

Hooked on Depop: Tips and tricks to create a small business right from your phone

Cameron Ward | June 17

Decluttering during quarantine might not be a bad idea after all if you’re looking for some extra cash. Depop, an online marketplace for buying and selling used and upcycled clothing, has opened the door for local designers and entrepreneurs to start their small business with just a smartphone. Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is the process of changing something you already own into better quality or more valuable to your liking.

Culture

Socially distanced Pride parade celebrates intersectionality and inclusion

Mike Sandoval | June 17

Despite the cancellation of the Albuquerque Pride Parade due to the coronavirus pandemic, Central Avenue became home to an “unofficial” celebration of the intersection of LGBTQ+ and Black rights on June 13. In honor of Pride Month, which spans the month of June, the parade route stretched down Central Avenue from Fifth Street to San Pedro. This was no regular parade with people marching up and down the streets: This parade was similar to the modified birthday and baby shower parades that we have become accustomed to during this pandemic.

Culture

Best Buddies Friendship Walk goes virtual

Beatrice Nisoli | June 17

In response to the continuing COVID-19 crisis, Best Buddies recently announced that its annual Walk For Inclusion would be transitioned to a virtual format on June 20. Best Buddies creates opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through a network of volunteers. This goal is accomplished through a plethora of celebratory events — the most notable being the organization's annual Walk for Inclusion — and by assigning registered members a "buddy," or an individual who lives nearby that has an IDD, to develop a friendship with.

Opinion

Comics for June 17, 2020

Rhianna Roberts and Victor Martinez | June 17

Daily Lobo comics for June 17, 2020.

News

Protester shot at Albuquerque anti-conquistador demonstration

Andrew Gunn , Bella Davis and Liam Debonis | June 16

OLD TOWN — Albuquerque became a flash point in the roiling debate over statues commemorating racist historical figures on Monday evening after a shooting perpetrated by an armed vigilante left a man in critical condition. The sequence of events was rapid, and the violence that erupted shocked the conscience of a state that has long grappled with a complex history of settler colonialism, European imperialism and genocide of Indigenous peoples. The protest and ensuing conflict between unarmed protesters and paramilitary splinter groups came to a head after weeks of uprisings following the police murder of George Floyd and amidst a national reckoning on institutionalized white supremacy in the United States.

News

Clifton White remains incarcerated as calls for release gain momentum

Bella Davis | June 15

More than two dozen cars circled the entrance to the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility in Los Lunas on Thursday as guards looked on. Protesters were there demanding the release of Clifton White, who some have described as a political prisoner. As the Daily Lobo previously reported, White, a 36-year-old Black man, was arrested on June 1 for allegedly violating parole. His wife Selinda Guerrero, a community organizer working on prisoners’ rights, has maintained that his arrest was retaliation for his work in the community.

News

OPINION: New Mexicans: We regret to inform you that COVID-19 is as risky as ever while NM reopens

June 15

It’s been a long few weeks. After a long month. In a year that began what feels like decades ago. Protests, riots and police brutality are rampant in this week’s headlines. Corruption. Deception. Violence. Press release upon press release. A military presence on campus that more closely resembles Fallujah circa 2003 than an institution of higher learning. Living nightmare after living nightmare. And, oh yeah, a global pandemic. I almost forgot. As New Mexico continues to roll out its reopening plans, it’s getting easier (and way more comforting) to fall into a sense that COVID is in the rearview mirror. With crowds swelling — be it for social revolution or casual outdoor dining — it’s important we keep an eye on New Mexico’s COVID cases post-quarantine and what they can tell us as we attempt to find a new normal.

Opinion

Comics for June 14, 2020

Rhianna Roberts and Victor Martinez | June 14

Daily Lobo comics for June 14, 2020.

News

OPINION: New Mexicans, we regret to inform you that COVID-19 is as risky as ever while the state reopens

June 13

As New Mexico continues to roll out its reopening plans, it’s getting easier (and way more comforting) to fall into a sense that COVID is in the rearview mirror. With crowds swelling — be it for social revolution or casual outdoor dining — it’s important we keep an eye on New Mexico’s COVID cases post-quarantine and what they can tell us as we attempt to find a new normal.