Latest news with #Juárez
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Everything is sad.' Families protest border separations after Hugs Not Walls canceled
JUÁREZ, Mexico — Irma García López looked out over the Rio Grande towards the border fence that separates the United States from Mexico and separates her from her daughter. She had hoped to have embraced her daughter as part of the Hugs Not Walls event that was originally scheduled for Mother's Day in Mexico, May 10. The abrupt cancelation of the event after the permits were revoked by the Trump administration came as a painful shock for her. "It is sad that they are not allowing us to embrace," García López said, holding a red rose in her hands. "The event is not as exciting and joyful as other years have been. Everything is sad. We didn't expect that the U.S. government didn't let us go to the river and meet." She had learned that the event was canceled on Wednesday, May 7, from a message on Whatsapp. Her daughter, Sara López, looked south towards Juárez feeling the same disappointment, especially as the family is passing through a difficult time. "It is May 10 and I wanted to hug her," López said. "We have lost two family members this month and I wanted to give her a hug so she knows that I am with her, even though I am far away, and that my heart is there supporting her in her grief." It has been nearly 13 years since López, 42, has been able to gather with her family in Juárez. The Hugs Not Walls event, organized by the El Paso-based Border Network for Human Rights, an immigrant advocacy group, has become the only chance the family gets to gather and embrace. Both López and her mother joined around 100 other people wearing pink and yellow shirts on either side of the border to protest family separations and that the Trump administration had revoked the permits for the Hugs Not Walls annual event due to the extension of the border military zone into El Paso. Border Network for Human Rights originally planned to hold the Hugs Not Walls on Mexican Mother's Day, May 10. The protest was coordinated under the banner "Madres de la Frontera: Love without borders" to denounce policies that lead to family separation. "Because the Department of Defense has labeled the area that we typically do [Hugs Not Walls] a military buffer zone, we were not able to do it," Samantha Singleton, the policy director at the Border Network for Human Rights, said. "In lieu of Hugs Not Walls it is a protest showing that even though there are borders that love doesn't stop and we are going to continue to help families be together." U.S. soldiers and U.S. Border Patrol vehicles briefly arrived on the opposite side of the Rio Grande as the protest began, a reminder of why the families who stood on the banks of the river could not embrace their loved ones on Mother's Day. The Department of Defense announced the establishment of a 170-mile-long, 60-foot-wide stretch of land that runs along the U.S.-Mexico border from El Paso through New Mexico to the Arizona border as a National Defense Area in April. The border militarization follows President Donald Trump's executive order declaring a national emergency at the southern border, calling the arrival of migrants an "invasion." The number of migrants currently crossing the border is at a historically low level. The Trump administration began considering a military zone along the New Mexico border in March. The National Defense area empowers the U.S. military to detain any person who unlawfully crosses the border onto military land in the United States until they can be turned over to immigration authorities. A second National Defense area was announced on May 1, southeast of El Paso, and falls under the command of Fort Bliss. The border militarization's further separation of families on Mother's Day weekend led to outcry from El Paso politicians. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, and El Paso West-Central city Rep. Josh Acevedo joined the families in their Mother's Day protest Saturday, both condemned the separation of the families. "This is one of the best times when [families] can hug for three minutes," Acevedo said. "I believe that having this alternate event is really important to show that there are a lot of people that believe that we should be able to have more compassion and more humanity." Escobar condemned the Trump administration's arbitrary cancelation of the event. "Here we are facing a very different event than usual because we have an administration devoid of compassion and humanity," Escobar said. "But we will continue moving forward; we will continue fighting together, not only for this community but for this region, for dignity … we will continue together until every family in this region is reunited." The separated families released balloons on either side of the border wall, and families in the U.S. placed roses on the rusted border wall that keeps them from their loved ones. White balloons floated up from the U.S. side of the border and flew south, following the red balloons released by family members on the Mexico side of the border. The distance created by being separated from loved ones weighs on the families. "Being separated for many years and [U.S.] government didn't allow us to see each other, to be close," García López said, as a tear fell down her cheek. "It is very sad." Her daughter, López, had originally gone to the United States to seek medical attention for her daughter, who developed health problems as a child. Her daughter is now receiving attention and is now 17 years old. The families who gathered on the border hope that the Hugs Not Walls event returns in the future, and that the further militarization of the border will not keep families apart. Jeff Abbott covers the border for the El Paso Times and can be reached at:jdabbott@ on Twitter or @ on Bluesky. Gaby Velasquez contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Families denounce border militarization, separation on Mother's Day
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why is there a statue of the first indigenous president of Mexico in Fresno?
Uniquely is a Fresno Bee series that covers the moments, landmarks and personalities that define what makes living in the Fresno area so special. The statue of Benito Juárez García, a Zapotec Indian who later became President of México, has stood in the heart of the city of Fresno for more than two decades. But why is the bronze statue of México's first indigenous president in Fresno? The statue of Juárez in Fresno's Courthouse Park was unveiled by the Oaxacan community in 2003, according to Vida en el Valle. Oralia Maceda and her late husband Rufino Domínguez, then coordinator of the Frente Indígena de Organizaciones Binacionales (Indigenous Front of Binational Organizations) partnered with leaders of the Centro Binacional para El Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño (Binational Center for Oaxacan Indigenous Development), or CBDIO, to secure the funding and permits for the installation of the statue in Fresno. Then Fresno County Supervisor Juan Arámbula submitted a proposal to his colleagues for the statue to be placed in Courthouse Park next to the Hall of Justice. The proposal passed unanimously, according to a March 2003 Vida en el Valle article. In a recent interview, Arámbula said he was approached by the Oaxacan community and believed it was important to recognize Juárez for his accomplishments and his leadership in México during a critical time in history. Juárez was a Mexican politician, military commander, and lawyer who served as governor of Oaxaca state and was the 26th president of México from 1858 until his death in office in 1872 at age 66. A Zapotec, he was the first democratically elected Indigenous president in the postcolonial Americas. Maceda said the statue of Juárez, which was donated by then Oaxaca Governor José Murat Casab, represents an example of the struggle — and perseverance — that a Zapotec indigenous person endured in his time. 'A symbol of struggle, of resistance, and we as indigenous people outside our communities have to continue those examples or legacies, that we can do it,' said Maceda, who is of Mixtec origin. 'It doesn't matter if one doesn't speak Spanish or English. We have the strength and knowledge to fight for the rights we have as individuals and as a community.' Arámbula said the Courthouse Park is a place to recognize important contributions made by people from all the communities living in Fresno County. The Oaxacan community in the Central Valley is big, especially in Madera and Kern counties, according to the Mexican Consulate in Fresno. The consulate estimates about 30,000 Oaxacans live in the Central Valley, with approximately 150,000 across California. The indigenous community is mainly Mixtecos, Zapotecos, or Triquis, with a smaller number from another indigenous groups like Mixes or Chatinos. 'And I continue to believe that it's important to respect all people, no matter where they come from, and Benito Juárez is an excellent example to our youth today,' Arámbula said. Juárez's famous phrase is written at the foot of the Fresno statue. It reads, 'Entre las naciones como entre los individuos, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz' ('Between nations, as between individuals, respect for another's rights will result in peace.') Jesús Martínez, a former Fresno State University professor who was present at the unveiling of the statue more than 20 years ago, said Oaxacan immigrants play an important role in Fresno and the Central Valley. Martínez said Juárez is considered the greatest and most popular Mexican president of all time and having the statue of the 'Benemérito de las Américas' in Fresno is 'a very inspiring symbol.' 'This is a symbol of the belonging of Oaxacan immigrants here in the Central Valley and in Fresno,' Martínez said. He noted that when the French invaded México, Juárez was forced to flee the country, first to Cuba then to the United States, living in New Orleans where he organized with other Mexican leaders to fight back against the French. Martínez said during that period, Juárez was able to establish cordial bilateral relations between México and the United States and serves as a historical point to help historians analyze 'the difficulties that we may be finding nowadays or in recent periods. The fact that Benito Juárez, himself, was someone who had to flee and became a political refugee further adds to the dimensions of his presence and his relation with the U.S.' The Mexican Consulate and the Centro Binacional highlighted the legacy of Juárez during two separate ceremonies at Courthouse Park earlier this month. The ceremonies commemorated the 219th anniversary of the birth of Juárez. 'In the US there are more or less 10 statues of Juárez, and we are very fortunate to be among those places,' said Nuria Zúñiga, Fresno's head consul. 'On a personal level, Juárez is also a role model for public servants,' Zúñiga said. 'He was honest, austere and with an unquestionable vocation of service. Benito Juárez also represents something that under the circumstances, we need to reflect on: temperance during adversity.'
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
El Paso Chihuahuas 2025 menu lineup includes picnic-style foods such as brisket sandwiches
The El Paso Chihuahuas are gearing up for a fun 2025 baseball season. Season tickets are now available and fans can look forward to a picnic-style menu this year in its hospitality areas. The Chihuahuas season begins on March 28 against the Salt Lake Bees. Representatives of Southwest University Park unveiled some of their yummy menu offerings last week. New offerings will include BBQ meatballs, pasta and Caesar salads and black bean burgers. Baseball season: When does season start for El Paso Chihuahuas? Dates to know for 2025 home schedule This year, the menu offerings will be matched up with hospitality areas, offering a buffet-style spread. Guests will be taking three steps: selecting the date of the game they want to attend, choosing a menu and hospitality event location, and then matching their game date (colored coded on calendar) with a menu price chart. Here is a closer look at each of the themed menu offerings. The Backyard BBQ menu will bring feature great-tasting brisket sandwiches with barbecue sauce and pickles. Other items in this spread will range from the lighter Caesar salad to the more filling mac and cheese, fresh cookies and water or lemonade. The price range will range according to the hospitality section. For example, if you're sitting in the Wooftop Deck, tickets will be $56 per person for premier seat tickets, $55 per person for standard seat tickets, and $53 per person for value seat tickets. The price will include the ticket, a 90-minute buffet and sales tax. It you are more into the traditional baseball fare, you will want to consider the Batter's Choice menu. The Batter's Choice menu will be starting off with bacon-wrapped Juárez hot dogs, and also offering breaded chicken fillet sandwich, potato salad, tostadas with La Posta salsa roja, fresh cookies, water and lemonade. We sampled some of these items and found the hot dogs to be juicy and delicious, topped with a guacamole sauce, and pico de gallo, and found the chicken sandwich to have a satisfying crunch. Prices in the Sun Kings Saloon will be $53 per person for the premium tickets seats, $52 per person for the standard tickets, and $50 per person for the value seats. The pricing includes the game ticket, the 90-minute buffet and the sales tax. The It's a Double buffet menu will feature hot dogs and hamburgers, potato salad, tostadas with La Posta salsa roja, fresh cookies, water and lemonade. Tickets in the Sun Kings Saloon will be $49 per person for the premium seats, $48 per person for the standard seats, and $46 per person for the value seats. The pricing includes the game ticket, the 90-minute buffet and the sales tax. Fans who have a hearty appetite or like to try new things will be able add on some new menu items, such as BBQ meatballs ($8.50 per person), mac & cheese ($4.75 per person), and pasta salad ($5.25 per person). Pasta and potato salads don't necessarily come to mind when going to the baseball game, but it does provide some variety from traditional baseball fare. I would rather, however, go with the meatballs, which were tasty and easy to eat. The black bean burgers, ($10.75 per person) should be a popular option for those who are vegetarian. More: New restaurants Kamura Ramen, Thai Sol, Yamaguchi Ramen Bar bring Asian flavor to El Paso María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@ @ on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Chihuahuas 2025 menu includes brisket sandwiches, meatballs
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cartel that killed family should be called terror group: Relative
(NewsNation) — The Mexican cartel blamed for the deadly 2019 ambush of Rhonita Miller and her four children should be designated a terrorist organization, Miller's sister tells 'NewsNation Now.' The Trump administration recently tagged eight cartels and gangs as terror groups, but the Juárez cartel and its strongarm faction, La Línea, were not among them. They continue to commit a variety of crimes along the border separating El Paso and Juárez, Maria Miller said. 'We want them added to the list,' she said. 'I was surprised, honestly, to see them not on the list.' Mexico defends sovereignty as US seeks to label cartels as terrorists The cartel's attack killed two other women and two additional children; five children survived. All of the victims were dual U.S.-Mexican citizens and members of a Mormon community who were driving in a caravan in Northern Mexico at the time gunmen ambushed them. Maria Miller said her sister and children were set on fire. 'Since then, my family has just been devastated by this tragedy. We have done everything in our power to try to find justice,' she said. She praised Trump for coming up with the idea then of designating the cartel as a terrorist organization but said she could not explain why his administration overlooked the Juárez cartel and La Línea in its recent action. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
