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News

Police response, news coverage of incident with New Mexico Civil Guard at Filling Philly’s biased, protesters say

Bella Davis | August 7

About fifty protesters — including families with children and moms in yellow vests — gathered downtown in front of Filling Philly’s, a cheesesteak shop on Central Avenue and Third Street, on Thursday afternoon to decry an incident that happened there Sunday night. As a Black Lives Matter protest came to a close at around 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 2, Black New Mexico Movement organizer Te Barry walked a few protesters to their cars. They’d heard that the New Mexico Civil Guard (NMCG) — a local militia founded by Bryce Spangler Provance, a man who has a swastika tattoo and a documented leadership role in a neo-Confederate organization — was in the area but didn’t know precisely where.

Culture

‘Saving Alex:’ An education on coming out and escaping systematic abuse

Hevyn Heckes | August 7

This article contains spoilers. When Alex Cooper was fifteen years old, she told her strict Mormon parents that she was gay. She was then shipped off to live in St. George, Utah to participate in a “conversion therapy” program where she was abused for eight months by her host family. “Saving Alex” is her story. Her account is an eye-opening education on how coming out to one’s parents can go horribly wrong and the anxiety young LGBTQ+ people share when contemplating doing so. Cooper’s memoir divulges the events that transpired while she was under the guardianship of fundamentalist strangers in Utah. The moment her parents left her in their care, her worldly possessions were stripped from her and withheld.

Culture

Tradition, courage and honor: ‘Ghost of Tsushima’ dazzles with state of the art graphics, combat engine

Gino Gutierrez | August 4

This review contains spoilers. A true masterclass in storytelling, the newly released video game “Ghost of Tsushima” takes players on a sweeping journey filled with rich character development and stunning visuals. “Ghost of Tsushima” is a new title from Sucker Punch Studios, released on July 17 and available exclusively on the Playstation 4 (PS4). Set on the island of Tsushima during the first Mongol invasion of Japan, “Ghost of Tsushima” puts players in the shoes of Jin Sakai, a samurai and sworn protector of the people of Tsushima. For Jin and his fellow samurai, the Mongol Empire represents a threat unlike any other. They are an enemy with no remorse, conscience or honor, which comes into direct conflict with the way the samurai live their lives.

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Opinion

Letter: Cancellation fees for on-campus housing this fall should be waived

Daily Lobo Readers | August 4

The University of New Mexico has had to be flexible and adapt to the impacts COVID-19. UNM asks that students be ready for possible changes during the fall semester — a semester that may have “to pivot rapidly to address changing health conditions in the State of New Mexico.” I now ask that the students be afforded this same flexibility and accommodation when it comes to our housing contracts. The continuation of housing cancellation fees is putting an unnecessary burden on UNM students. We had to make housing decisions well before we understood the impact that COVID-19 would have on our education and well before UNM had offered a clear picture as to what a “hybrid system” of learning would look like.

News

UNM neglect reason for Student Family Housing closure, students say

Megan Gleason | August 3

Residence Life and Student Housing announced in late June that the Student Family Housing (SFH) complex near south campus would shut down in May 2021 due to insurmountable renovation costs, giving residents time to pack their belongings and find a new place to live. However, some residents are questioning the University of New Mexico administration’s stated reason why SFH is closing. A number of Student Family Housing tenants claim that UNM has been a negligent landlord and treated the SFH complex differently than other potential — and completed — construction projects on campus.

News

Expansion of ‘Operation Legend’ into Albuquerque prompts hundreds to protest downtown

Liberty Stalnaker | August 3

As the work day came to a close on July 31, Albuquerque’s courthouse district resembled a ghost town. Roads were barricaded for blocks in each direction, and the air felt still in the absence of the usual motorized vehicle traffic. But by 6 p.m., hundreds had assembled at the intersection of Fourth Street and Lomas Boulevard chanting, burning herbs and readying shields. The assembled protesters shouted that they were rallying against the influx of federal agents into Albuquerque.

Sports

Nehemiah Cionelo holds fundraisers to help the disadvantaged

Spencer Butler | July 25

Nehemiah Cionelo, a redshirt sophomore on the University of New Mexico’s cross country team, held a virtual fundraiser called Footsteps for Families on Saturday, July 18, providing school supplies to low-income New Mexican families that have been negatively impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 145 people attended the virtual event, according to Cionelo. Participants logged in 848 miles, and local businesses and individual donors contributed school supplies for every mile logged. Cionelo said participants logged their mileage online after they finished running, and also were told to follow the social distance guidelines imposed by the state. “Personally, I ran solo with a mask and encouraged those participating to do the same,” Cionelo said.

Culture

Balloon Fiesta drive-in offers safe and enjoyable summer activity during pandemic

Lauren McDonald | July 25

With almost everyone stuck at home this summer, the Balloon Fiesta Park’s new drive-in theater offers a fun and exciting option to get out of the house and make a new memory. This drive-in was created by three friends from St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe. Other locations hosting drive-ins include O'Reilly's Pub, Cottonwood Mall and the occasional night hosted by the Guild Theatre at Balloon Fiesta Park. Due to the pandemic, the drive-in’s operators need to heed ongoing social distancing regulations, keeping cars four to six feet apart and requiring masks whenever outside of a car.

Culture

Lobo face masks helping bring campus back to work

Daniel Ward | July 22

After nearly four months into the dawn of COVID-19 safety regulations from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, many people are beginning to stylize what masks they wear. The University of New Mexico has joined the trend with Lobo face masks available in the bookstore. There are multiple types and designs of Lobo masks that have been created by different vendors for the bookstore. Marketing Divisions Manager Lisa Walden said the demand for masks is high, not only to keep everyone safe, but because people want to show off their love for the Lobo. She said they sometimes sell about 250 masks in a day between individual sales and orders from departments.

News

Update: Trump announces Operation Legend is being expanded to Albuquerque

Bella Davis | July 22

President Trump announced Wednesday afternoon that under Operation Legend — an initiative launched in Kansas City, Missouri earlier this month — dozens of federal officers will soon come to Albuquerque, as well as Chicago. Reports emerged Tuesday that this move by Trump was likely, as reported in the Daily Lobo. “Under Operation Legend we will soon send federal law enforcement to other cities that need help,” Trump said. “Other cities need help, they need it badly. They should call, they should want it. They’re too proud or they’re too political to do that. One of them is Albuquerque, New Mexico.”

News

Unhoused people in downtown Albuquerque in need of water, PPE and a safe place to sleep

Beatrice Nisoli | July 22

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has cost countless Albuquerque residents their employment and disproportionately affected the existing unhoused population, leaving them scrambling for life-saving resources. As of 2019, homelessness in Albuquerque has nearly quadrupled, launching from 144 to at least 567 people, according to an assessment the Urban Institute released in May. A recent New Mexico Coalition To End Homelessness survey puts the numbers even higher at 1,524 unhoused people in Albuquerque alone. These findings do not account for the pandemic’s impact on housing and employment instability. According to a fact sheet from New Mexico Voices for Children, between the months of March and May, 134,513 New Mexicans filed for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits -- which aim to combat homelessness — out of a workforce of 835,800. UI claims show a dramatic increase of 2,272% since the pandemic began.

News

Trump considers sending federal officers to Albuquerque

Bella Davis | July 21

As federal law enforcement agents continue to brutalize and detain Portland, Oregon protesters, President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to send federal officers to other Democrat-controlled cities, saying officers have done a “great job” in Portland. On the list is Chicago, with Kansas City, Missouri and Albuquerque possibly next. Federal officers have been detaining protesters in Portland for at least a week, as reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting. Protesters have described officers dressed in camo pulling up in unmarked cars and detaining people with no explanation.

Culture

Paint for Peace 505 restores beauty in a desolate downtown

Megan Gleason | July 21

Although the pandemic has caused local businesses in downtown Albuquerque to close up shop, their boarded-up windows have given local artists a new canvas to display their work. Paint for Peace 505 is a local movement in Albuquerque to cover boarded-up windows with art. Many local artists contributed to this movement simply for the benefit of the community. “It was really healing to turn that area into something so beautiful,” Jessica Anderson, one of the organizers, said. After two weeks of work and preparation, an art show was held for the public on the evening of July 17. People drove or walked through, all wearing masks and keeping their distance.

Culture

Splash of Funk art exhibit displayed at OT Circus

Daniel Ward and Cameron Ward | July 21

therapeutic escape of selling his art. While battling depression, Cantrell found peace in the never-ending creation of his paintings. On June 18, a solo pop-up show dedicated to Cantrell and his art called “A Splash of Funk” shared a wide range of good vibes, including a live DJ and food from Elevate Food Truck. Cantrell’s art was also on display inside OT Circus Gallery and was available to purchase, with prices ranging between $60 and $300. “I try to up the game every time I have a show here,” Cantrell said. “Last time, I was the first person to have a caterer; this year, I have a DJ and the food truck is on the premises instead of out on the street.”

News

City firearms ban not enforced uniformly at protests

Bella Davis | July 19

CIVIC PLAZA — On Sunday, July 19, what was intended to be a conservative-led, anti-mask protest became a heavily policed counter-demonstration which raised questions of uneven enforcement of a mayoral administrative decree banning weapons in city parks. The Albuquerque Police Department drew criticism for detaining two armed Black men — Frankie Grady and Te Barry — who were part of a counter protest at Civic Plaza on Sunday. In stark contrast, a dozen mostly white, armed protesters — including members of the New Mexico Civil Guard — who were at a reopen protest on Thursday were given a warning rather than being detained.

Culture

Mental health resources available at Student Health and Counseling during the summer

Lauren McDonald | July 19

Dealing with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic can be stressful. Luckily, Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) at the University of New Mexico is available to students during this time, over the summer and in the future as well. All regular services of SHAC are currently open, such as counseling, acupuncture, appointments, nutrition, pharmacy, physical therapy, sexual and reproductive health services and call-ahead coronavirus-related visits for students who may have symptoms. “We are having people do telephone or Zoom appointments. There has been a slight increase in calls but not necessarily COVID related,” said Victoria Cee, manager at SHAC. “We are all functional, everything in the SHAC is open, (but) students do have to call ahead of time or call when they are in the building.”

News

‘We asked for help — Why did you shoot him?’: Body camera footage of APD shooting of Max Mitnik released

Bella Davis | July 18

Editor’s note: This story contains discussion of suicide. If you’re feeling suicidal, you are not alone. Please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or contact Student Health and Counseling at UNM at 505-277-313 Seconds before being shot in the hip and side of the head by Albuquerque police officer Jose Ruiz, 27-year-old Max Mitnik calmly said to Ruiz, “I’m going to suffer a lot if I don’t kill myself. Will you please kill me, sir? Kill me.” Albuquerque Police Department body camera footage released last week shows the events that led to the June 4 shooting that left Mitnik alive but severely injured. The following is a breakdown of the 911 call that preceded the shooting and the police lapel footage that captured it.

Culture

Renowned artist recounts systemic racism within artistic institutions

Beatrice Nisoli | July 17

The recent resurgence of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has proven that racism is not solely confined to the streets. Its systemic influence pervades all institutions — including artistic ones. Several artists have found that the galleries they sell to on commission are unwilling to accept BLM-themed art out of fear of diminishing customer interest, thus prioritizing business over the racial justice movement. Bruce Carlton (B.C.) Nowlin, a renowned artist and New Mexico local, has been painting since high school and has utilized his Southwestern roots to produce vibrant, culturally significant artwork. Nowlin’s work has never had issues selling — indeed, it has appealed to celebrity circles and album covers for decades — but a recent painting of his has been met with a ringing silence from collectors.

News

Fraternity with long history of sexual assault allegations planning to return to UNM

Bella Davis and Cameron Ward | July 17

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) — a fraternity with a history of sexual assault allegations and misconduct related to underage drinking dating back to at least 1998 — is planning a return to the University of New Mexico this fall. As the Daily Lobo previously reported, SAE had its charter revoked in 2013 for student code of conduct violations, including consumption of alcohol by minors. Per the revocation, they were eligible to come back to campus in 2017. After two months of investigation, the University administration revoked the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity’s charter in May of 2013. According to a press release from UNM at the time, SAE was disbanded because of student code of conduct violations, which included use of alcohol on campus at an unauthorized event and consumption of alcohol by minors. The Daily Lobo reported at the time that members admitted to consuming alcohol at the party and said they didn’t register the party with the University.

Culture

UNM duck pond is cleaned and ready for fish, ducks and turtles to return

Lauren McDonald | July 17

Every couple years, the University of New Mexico duck pond is drained by UNM’s Facilities Management department. The drainage makes the pond a cleaner and healthier environment for the fish, ducks and turtles that reside in the center of campus. “We take all the turtles and fish to one of the golf courses while it’s emptied, then bring them back once the cleaning is done,, but there’s still a few of them — turtles and ducks — around here. They hang out, you know?” said Dwayne Jones, UNM’s water systems master technician.