Latest news with #Candelaria
Gulf Insider
3 days ago
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Watch: Politician Told That Reading Porn Book Found In School Library Is 'Inappropriate'
A Connecticut lawmaker was admonished for reading aloud from a pornographic book that is available to children in school libraries in the state. During a hearing, Republican Rep. Anne Dauphinais of Danielson read graphic sexual references from the book, titled Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. 'Are you going to eat her pussy?,' Dauphinais read from the book. 'Yeah, Earl, I am going to eat her pussy,' she continued before being interrupted by Rep. Juan Candelaria, a New Haven Democrat and deputy House Speaker who started manically banging his gavel. 🚨WATCH: Connecticut GOP lawmaker quotes book found in public schools: "Are you gonna eat her p*ssy?"She is then SCOLDED for her use of the replies: "You're telling me that this language is inappropriate in this chamber, this is in elementary school libraries." — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 3, 2025 'Madam, I would ask that we not try to use that type of language in the chamber and try to keep some decorum,' said Candelaria, not recognising the irony. 'I know you were talking of specific books, but if we could refrain from those type of words because there are also people and children watching this debate.' That's the whole point, dude. Dauphinais had already warned parents to remove any children present from the room before she began reading. 'I would ask kindly if we could just use either a different word or something different just out of respect for others that might get offended. Thank you,' Candelaria added. Dauphinais responded, 'Mr. Speaker, I stand here to share with the chamber the books that are available in our public school libraries to the very children you're telling me that this language isn't appropriate in this chamber.' 'This is in elementary school libraries, approved by the very individuals that are supposed to be the experts,' she further urged. Another Democrat, House Speaker Matt Ritter, then argued that the Republicans just want to make this a 'cultural issue,' that 'they want the response, like children,' and that 'it really hurts their brand.' Or maybe they have actual concerns about the porn in kids' libraries? 🚨WATCH: Connecticut GOP lawmaker quotes book found in public schools: "Are you gonna eat her p*ssy?"She is then SCOLDED for her use of the replies: "You're telling me that this language is inappropriate in this chamber, this is in elementary school libraries." — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 3, 2025 Click here to read more…
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NM Supreme Court lays out scope of legislative immunity in precendent-setting ruling
May 5—SANTA FE — The motive behind New Mexico lawmakers' official acts is irrelevant when it comes to determining whether they can be the target of lawsuits, the state Supreme Court ruled Monday. The unanimous ruling by the state's highest court establishes — for the first time — the scope of legislative immunity, a doctrine that protects legislators from facing legal claims over their job-related actions. It comes nearly five months after the Supreme Court ordered the dismissal of a lawsuit filed against the state Senate's top-ranking Democrat by a former senator who alleged he had been illegally retaliated against. The court indicated at the time it planned to issue a longer written ruling at a later date. The top Democrat, Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart of Albuquerque, had asked the Supreme Court to intervene after a state District Court judge denied Stewart's initial motion to dismiss the case, saying her motives needed to be scrutinized. The case was filed by ex-Sen. Jacob Candelaria of Albuquerque in April 2022, several months before he resigned from the Senate. In his lawsuit, he argued Stewart violated the state's Human Rights Act by moving his Senate seat and Capitol office location following his criticism of her behind-the-scenes handling of a personnel investigation involving a top legislative staffer. However, the New Mexico Supreme Court in its Monday opinion ruled that Stewart was shielded by legislative immunity since her actions involved legislative resources and that her motive, or intent, for moving Candelaria's seat and office location was not relevant. "When legislative immunity applies, recourse is found not in the courts, but at the ballot box," Supreme Court Chief Justice David Thomson wrote in the court's ruling, which also cited cases in other states. The Supreme Court also ordered District Court Judge Daniel Ramczyk of Albuquerque to dismiss Candelaria's original complaint. While New Mexico's legislative immunity provision had been largely untested in the courts, the similar issue of presidential immunity has been a hot-button issue. The U.S. Supreme Court in July 2024 ruled that former presidents can not be criminally prosecuted for acts taken while in office. The ruling hinged on the actions of Donald Trump, who then won election last November to a new four-year term. Specifically, New Mexico's Constitution says legislators shall not be "questioned in any other place for any speech or debate or for any vote cast in either house." The state Constitution also protects lawmakers from arrest during legislative sessions, with certain exceptions. In all, 43 states including New Mexico have constitutions that provide legislative immunity by protecting legislators from executive or judicial action, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Supreme Court issues opinion on legislative immunity
New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martínez and Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart and the rest of the Legislative Council on Monday voted to create the Federal Infrastructure Funds and Stability Interim Committee. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM) The highest-ranking lawmaker in the New Mexico Senate cannot be sued for reassigning a senator's office and seat in the chamber because they were 'legitimate legislative actions,' the state's high court said Monday. In 2021, Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) moved then-Sen. Jacob Candelaria's (DTS-Albuquerque) seat on the Senate floor and his Senate office location in the Roundhouse. In a complaint filed in a district court in 2022, Candelaria alleged Stewart's actions had been 'retaliatory' for his public criticism of her vote against terminating the executive director, at the time, of the Legislation Education Study Committee, who was facing allegations of unlawful workplace discrimination. In a unanimous opinion written by Chief Justice David Thomson, the New Mexico Supreme Court said Stewart is entitled to immunity from legal liability because her actions fall under the 'speech and debate clause' in the New Mexico Constitution. The justices noted that it was the first time the state's appeals courts have ever been asked to interpret the clause. Monday's opinion offered the legal explanation for the justices' earlier verbal ruling in the case, which they made in December after hearing arguments from both sides. 'While the decision on this case was delivered last year, it's good to have closure on this issue with the delivery of a written opinion from the Supreme Court,' Stewart told Source NM in a statement. 'Our Constitution's Speech or Debate Clause outlines what constitutes legitimate, protected legislative activities, and the Supreme Court's affirmation now makes it clear once and for all.' Second Judicial District Court Judge Daniel Ramczyk in September 2024 concluded that he needed to examine Stewart's motives for her actions against Candelaria before he could decide whether she was entitled to legislative immunity. The Supreme Court said Ramczyk's reasoning was wrong because of a long-established legal principle that courts can't question lawmakers' motive or intent. The justices sent the case back to him, telling him to dismiss it, and he did so on Dec. 16, according to court records. The justices wrote that Stewart's motive is irrelevant and moving Candelaria's office and floor seat 'are both legitimate legislative activities' in her role as president of the Senate. 'Private actions, just like those brought by the executive branch, divert legislators' attention from their work and bring judicial power to bear, imperiling legislative independence,' the justices wrote. A request for comment from Candelaria was not returned as of publication time. Candelaria argued that New Mexico's Constitution only protects lawmakers from liability for officials acts requiring a vote; however, the justices wrote that he misinterpreted part of the speech and debate clause to limit lawmakers' immunity when it was really providing an additional ground for immunity. Candelaria also argued that Stewart's changes to his office and seating arrangements weren't integral to the Senate's deliberations because earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, senators had been allowed to participate and vote in committee meetings and floor sessions remotely. The justices disagreed, saying the pandemic required the Senate to change its procedures 'in unprecedented ways,' and they refused to rule on legislative immunity based on those changes. Candelaria, first elected in 2013, frequently clashed with Senate leadership and changed his party affiliation in late 2021 from Democrat to independent. He resigned from the Senate in 2022. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Time Out
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
8 ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in London this month
iAle, London! Cinco de Mayo is back for another year. If you weren't aware, May 5 commemorates the Mexican army's victory over France at the 1862 Battle of Puebla (not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day on September 16). More than 160 years later, it remains a major day in the Mexican calendar and is the ultimate opportunity to relish in the best of the country's culture and heritage, in case you needed an excuse. So, this early May bank holiday, be prepared for more tacos and tequila than you can shake a maraca at, and then some. These are some of the best Cinco de Mayo events happening across the city this month. Keep an eye out for special May 5 deals at our favourite Mexican restaurants, too. Cinco de Mayo at the Standard Ascend to the 10th floor of the Standard for a 48-hour fiesta. Sweeties will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo soiree in collaboration with famous Parisian taqueria Candelaria, promising DJs and 'bar classics with a twist', then celebrations will continue into next day at Decimo's boozy brunch with an offering of the tequila-based 'Bloody Maria' to soothe the hangover. Once that banging headache has passed, head back across the corridor to Sweeties to do it all over again. 10 Argyle Street, WC1H 8EG. May 2-3. Book online here. Hackney Church Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Sounds of salsa, bachata and reggaeton will be floating out of the arches of Hackney Church Brewery from noon till midnight for Mexico's big day. The east London taproom will be serving up spicy birria tacos from its resident kitchen Lagom and two for one frozen margs from 8pm 'til 10pm. 16-17 Bohemia Place, E8 1DU. May 3. Tickets available here. Mexico Vivo Festival at Hackney Bridge Latin American party orchestrators Movimentos are bringing an huge celebration of all things Mexicano to Hackney Bridge. We're talking Mexican street food from some of London's top Latino food vendors, live mariachi music from Mariachi el Mexicano, traditional Mexican dance performances from This Is Mexico and a market of handmade goods from Mexican artisans. On Sunday night, a collection of Latin American DJs will round off the fiesta with sets of psychedelic cumbia, retro tropical rhythms, guaracho and more. Units 1-28, Echo Building, E15 2SJ. May 4-5. Find out more info here. Cinco De Mayo at Corrochio's Dalston cocktail bar and taquería Corrochio's is celebrating 1 year in its new home over the bank holiday weekend with a Cinco de Mayo (technically a Quatro de Mayo!) party featuring a Mexican-inpired barbecue, plenty of piñatas and a Mariachi band serenading guests at 4pm. Book a spot for lunch or dinner to enjoy 'volcanes', crispy grilled tortillas with cheese and a range of traditional toppings including beef picanha and prawns zarandeados, and margarita slushies made with Ocho tequila. 70-74 Stoke Newington Road, N16 7XB. May 4. Book here. Cinco De Mayo Party Brunch at Madera What better way to mark Mexico's historic victory over France than sinking into a Latin-themed brekkie at Madera, eh? The Cali-Mexican restaurant on the fifteenth floor of The Treehouse Hotel will be bringing live DJs, flowing margaritas and tacos galore to celebrate May 5 from £45 per person. 14-15 Langham Place, W1B 2QS. May 5. Book here. Cinco De Mayo Fiesta at Oriole Latin American-themed subterranean cocktail bar Oriole has a host of food specials on the menu for its Cinco de Mayo fiesta. Guests can enjoy live Latin music from 3-6pm courtesy of Colombian band Zona Vallenata, while tucking into tacos al pastor and crab chilaquilas followed by churros with dulce de leche and chocolate dip for dessert. And there's also a trio of Cinco de Mayo cocktail specials on. We especially like the sound of the Toreador, a heady blend of Volcan Blanco Tequila, Gunpowder rum, apricot brandy, lime juice and fig leaf soda. Que empiece la fiesta! 7-9 Slingsby Place, WC2E 9AB. May 5. Book here. Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl Beginning at the Munster Tavern in Leicester Square, for the fifth of the fifth, London Party Pub Crawl has curated a Mexican-themed crawl across five bars. Punters will get to spend around 50 minutes in each drinking hole (with free tequila shots) and enter the final club at midnight, where you can stay until the early hours of the morning. 18 Bear Street, WC2H 7AX. May 5. Get your ticket here. Tequila Tasting at Jeroboams Get better acquainted with one of Cinco de Mayo's main characters at Jeroboam's tequila tasting event. Agave aficionados will introduce you to different varieties of the liquor, from blanco to añejo, and its smokier sister spirit, mezcal. As you sip, they'll clue you in on how the drinks are made, their historic significance and how to spot their distinct characteristics.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Landmark New Mexico Education Equity Case Heads Back to Court Next Week
This article was originally published in Source New Mexico. The parties in the long-running Yazzie-Martinez lawsuit over educational equity in New Mexico will meet in court next week to discuss a motion alleging the state has not complied with previous court orders, along with the plaintiffs' request for a 'remedial plan.' The case, originally filed in 2014, led to a finding in 2018 by the late First Judicial District Court Judge Sarah Singleton, who found that the state was not providing equitable educational opportunities to Native students, English language learners, low-income students and students with disabilities. She ordered the state to take steps to address the needs of these at-risk students and ensure schools have the resources to provide them with the education they deserve. Attorneys representing Louise Martinez and Wilhelmina Yazzie filed a joint motion of non-compliance in September 2024, arguing that the state has not made significant progress in addressing the needs of at-risk students. Specifically, in their motion, plaintiffs point to ongoing poor student performance; high turnover within the New Mexico Public Education Department; high teacher vacancy rates; and a lack of targeted funding for at-risk students. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Since Singleton's decision, the state has increased funding for public education, but students are still being overlooked, Melissa Candelaria, education director for the NM Center on Law and Poverty, which represents the plaintiffs, told Source NM. The motion hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 29. 'We believe the court's ruling should have been a wakeup call,' Candelaria said. 'Our students can't afford more bureaucratic churn and empty promises from PED. And we believe, the plaintiffs believe, the court must step in to enforce a real community-driven plan that reflects the urgency and the gravity to improve the overall state education system.' Candelaria noted that the joint motion was not opposed by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who represents the state in the case. Court documents state that Torrez 'agrees' that there has been 'insufficient compliance.' However, private counsel for the PED did oppose the motion, particularly the plaintiff's proposed remedial plan. PED had not responded to a request from Source NM for comment prior to publication. That plan, as detailed in court documents, includes nine components or goals, including: establishing a multicultural and multilingual educational framework; building an education workforce; increasing access to technology; developing methods of accountability; and strengthening the capacity of the PED. 'There's no longer a debate that a statewide education plan is necessary. Now, the decision is who leads that development,' Candelaria said. Candelaria also told Source the plaintiffs propose the Legislative Education Study Committee take the lead in developing the remedial plan because the department's staff have knowledge and expertise in the area of education and have access to data. The department also has a director and permanent staff, as opposed to the PED, which has had multiple cabinet secretaries lead the department in the nearly seven years since Singleton's decision, she noted. 'Without a plan, the efforts by the Legislature will still be piecemeal and scattershot and it's not going to result in what we want to see in a transformed education system that's equitable and that builds on the strengths and provides for the needs of the four student groups in the case,' Candelaria said. The PED opposes the motion on this point, according to court documents, and argues the education department should take the lead in developing the plan. The department also says more time is needed to create and then implement the plan. Plaintiffs suggest that the five-year plan should be developed within six months of this month's hearing. Wilhelmina Yazzie, one of the original plaintiffs, told Source she feels 'very optimistic' ahead of the motion hearing and that she hopes the judge agrees a plan is necessary. She added that the inequities in public education were emphasized during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Especially our tribal communities who are really deeply impacted by that, and they still continue to suffer to the present time right now and just by the state not taking the action that we need them to take,' Yazzie said. Yazzie's son, Xavier Nez, 22, was in third grade when the lawsuit started. He is now in his third year studying at the University of New Mexico. Candelaria pointed out that since the 2018 court decision, multiple classes of students have made their way through the state's educational system and failed to receive a comprehensive education. Yazzie's youngest child, Kimimila Black Moon, is currently in third grade but attends private school. 'She's not in the public school because I still haven't seen changes,' she said. Yazzie told Source that another goal of hers is to get out into communities throughout the state and speak with families because many parents are still unaware of the lawsuit and 'they're the ones that firsthand know what their children need, what they're lacking, how they're doing in school.' Source New Mexico is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Source New Mexico maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Julia Goldberg for questions: info@
