On this week's episode of the podcast, we'll be talking about the recent anti-Trump protest in Albuquerque, where hundreds of people stopped traffic all over town for over six hours, ending in a showdown with dozens of riot police. We sit down with some of our reporters and photographers who were on the ground with the protesters.
Wednesday is Election Day for the Associated Students of UNM.
Between Aug. 1 and Oct. 23, the Albuquerque Police Department said it received 47 calls concerning possible criminal activity at Valley View Villas, formerly known as The Cottages of New Mexico.
“Someone is behind you,” she heard her sister say, in Arabic. It was Tuesday afternoon, around 2 p.m., on the main floor of Zimmerman Library. It was Election Day, the culmination of one of the more divisive presidential campaigns in recent history, and America was waiting to find out who would lead the country for the next four years. Students filled the library as they usually do, studying and chatting quietly in small groups. This was the scene when, while working on homework with her sister and friends, one UNM student was targeted for her headscarf, referred to as the common hijab customarily worn by Muslim women.
UNM administration unofficially kicked off the search for Bob Frank’s successor as president of the University on Friday, with a public forum to solicit input on what qualities should be sought after for his replacement. The forum was hosted by UNM Regent Jack Fortner, who alluded that the next president is one that locals want to represent the qualities of diversity that the University prides itself on. “What we’ve learned is we need a president that can walk on water, that can speak three or four languages, that is very passionate, yet strong and emotional when he needs to be or she needs to be, and has skin that is hard to figure out what color it is,” Fortner said.
“My question to the American public is: How many people need to be exonerated before we realize we do not need a death row in this country?” This was the focus of Anthony Ray Hinton’s presentation at the UNM Law School on Thursday, where he was invited by UNM’s Innocence and Justice Project. Hinton was on death row in Alabama for 30 years until he was exonerated in 2015. “I was, when I was released, the 152nd person that had been exonerated from death row. Just in a year and a half, four more were exonerated,” he said. “That brings the total to 156.”
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education has called out UNM, along with 110 other public colleges and universities, for “highly restrictive speech codes” that the organization claims violate First Amendment rights. The letter urges UNM faculty and administration to reassess and alter the policies, or else face a First Amendment lawsuit. The specific rights of students that FIRE claims are being restricted include freedom of speech, legal equality, due process, religious liberty and sanctity of conscience.
This week will kick off the third annual SexUality Week, put on by UNM’s Student Alliance for Reproductive Justice. More commonly referred to as SARJ, the alliance is looking to help, educate and support UNM students with this week’s panels focusing on sexual health and education. “We want to educate students on things you have to be aware of. We’re providing resources and information to do so,” said SARJ Co-President Dechellie Gray. SexUality week starts Monday at 11 a.m. in the SUB, where panelists will be speaking on gender identities.
Shock, surprise, awe. A combination of those feelings, to varying degrees, was felt by most Americans last Tuesday, when Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump won Florida, then Pennsylvania, then Wisconsin. And then, officially, the Oval Office. Ever since, many Americans have been left in a bit of a daze over the surprising outcome. It has also made some feel apprehensive about the potential repercussions of a new cultural mindset that many allege to be xenophobic, one that has manifested itself.
What do you think when you hear the words President Trump?
On Thursday night a group of students and community members gathered in a room in the SUB to discuss the election of Donald Trump as president — and the mood was anything but happy. Vote Socialism 2016, a student group and offshoot of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, organized the event, calling it “Not My President.” The room was small but crowded, and there were palpable feelings of despair, shock and resolution in the air as people came to grips with the outcome of Election Night. A Republican House, Senate, and Donald Trump as president — a crushing defeat for liberals and progressives in America.
Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan announced on a visit to to UNM on Thursday that the University is to be the first participant in the CIA’s new signature school program, while also commenting on the security challenges that face the U.S. Brennan, who was introduced by UNM President Bob Frank, has been a part of the CIA for three years, and said UNM could have an impact in the CIA’s mission, saying that, from what he has seen, “the spirit of multidisciplinary learning and innovation is alive” at the University.
I arrived on Central Ave. and First Street around 7 p.m., to a moderate crowd gathered on the street corner. They were protesting the election results and renouncing the new president elect as their leader. Not 24 hours before, our nation received a shock comparable to the Kent State massacre — The Donald was elected our new president. I remember where I was that night. I was having a drink at the campus bar watching the votes come in from each of our nation’s states, and at this point I was nervous that Clinton wouldn’t emerge victorious from this vicious campaign that pitted the American people against each other.
The Associated Students of UNM Senate on Wednesday passed an emergency resolution supporting the UNM KIVA Club’s campaign to change the University’s official seal, which the group has said contains offensive imagery. The legislation passed with a 15-5-0 vote, representing the latest bit of momentum gathered by a campaign — of which the Red Nation is also involved — that has been in motion since the spring semester. UNM Regents will deliberate over the matter on Tuesday.
The Associated Students of UNM recently placed Sen. Michael Landgraf on probation after he acquired three demerits for not attending his designated office hours and an ASUNM Senate meeting. ASUNM President Pro Tempore Sarah Moore said a senator will receive a demerit when they do not act in accordance or fail to fulfill their duties as outlined by the Senator Accountability Code of the ASUNM Law Book.
The UNM Law School has launched a new program for students seeking a Master of Studies in Law, otherwise known as the MSL program. Program Director Daniel Ortega said the degree targets those who can thrive in a demanding, competitive academic atmosphere, as demonstrated by their academic record and professional accomplishments.
With nearly two years of U.S. presidential election coverage over and done with as of Tuesday night, UNM students can now turn their attention to casting ballots for government leaders much closer to home. Senatorial elections for the Associated Students of UNM are on Wednesday, the undergraduate student governing body is looking for students to give input on who should represent them. “Our Elections Commission has been working diligently to make sure this is a fair and efficient election for students who wish to make their voice heard,” said Gabe Gallegos, ASUNM communications director.
At 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, just 18 hours after the presidential election was called, protesters gathered at First Street and Central Avenue in Albuquerque to protest Donald Trump’s victory. Protesters sprayed graffiti stating “FUCK TRUMP” on the windows of Tucanos, as well as down the road on crosswalks with messages such as “Live free or die,” “Trump is the enemy” and “Fuck the Police.” From there, the protest marched east up Central, stopping at UNM Bookstore and walking back west toward Tucanos. From there the march went on, with police blocking off side streets and redirecting traffic to seemingly let the protesters have free reign on the road.
The UNM Health and Sciences Committee convened Tuesday morning, as regents listened to administrative and system reports followed by discussions about financial situations, quality conditions in the hospital and marketing efforts. HSC Chancellor Paul Roth, with other University officials, went over the numbers pertaining to the recent release of a state audit, the full-time equivalency management strategies for next year and the continuation of improving quality care for patients.
Harassment within Law School On the afternoon of Oct. 31, an officer met with a student at 2500 Campus Blvd. NE in regards to a professor harassing her. She said the Office of Equal Opportunity was already conducting an investigation, but they recommended that she also speak with UNMPD. The officer reported that the student was emotional while explaining her situation. The student said in May 2016, she began taking a summer course with a UNM Law professor when she felt his behavior towards her was becoming sexual.
Solutions by The State News
