SWOPblogger

Court Grants SWOP, CCP Full Attorney's Fees

2009-11-20T12:14:00.006-07:00

State District Court Judge Judith Herrera ruled yesterday that the State of New Mexico must pay $72,000 in attorney fees and costs to the Center for Civic Policy and the Southwest Organizing Project.

In 2008, our organizations were forced to seek protection in federal court against Secretary of State Herrera’s decision to require New Mexico Youth Organized and Southwest Organizing Project to register as “political committees.”

In August, Judge Herrera issued a decision granting summary judgment in favor of the nonprofits, ruling that the speech of NMYO and SWOP is protected by the First Amendment - and the Secretary of State is without power to regulate it.

Despite the decisive victory in District Court and despite the clearly settled law in this area, New Mexico Attorney General Gary King has decided to appeal the ruling to 10th Circuit Court. If that appeal is unsuccessful, it could cost taxpayers even more in attorney's fees and costs.

SWOP is pleased with the ruling but not with the position our organizations have been put in by the Attorney General and Secretary of State. While we fight for accountability in public offices and quality of life for all New Mexicans, the state wastes tax payer dollars trying to shut us up. SWOP and CCP have the resources to defend ourselves, but many other local organizations aren't so fortunate. The recent trend of political attacks against nonprofits is something we all need to be aware of as we continue to defend ourselves.

Anyway... if they're this mad with us, we must be doing something right!

Click the links to read more coverage of the court case:

http://www.swopblogger.org/2009/08/ya-bast-federal-judge-upholds-swop.html
http://www.swopblogger.org/2009/08/non-profits-and-free-speech.html

$5 Friday This Friday!

2009-11-16T14:19:00.004-07:00

Hope you can make it. Contact Marisol with questions: 247-8832 ext. 126; marisol@swop.net

Come break bread with SWOP.

$5 will buy you a variety of wonderful foods and fantastic company!

When: Every 3rd Friday of the month, 12pm

Where: SWOP Main Office; 211 10th St SW

Why: To hang out with SWOPistas and have great food!

Call for Latina/o Writers

2009-11-16T14:16:00.004-07:00

Somos un escrito is a new online literary magazine designed to provide exposure to Latino/Hispano writers. They are sending out a call to writers of Chicano, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban or any other Latino origin to submit their manuscripts.

Armando Rendón, the author who is launching the revista, believes that the Latino community in the U.S. needs to excel in literary endeavors as it has in music, sports, the fine arts, business, and science. This online magazine is designed to take advantage of the internet as an outlet for talented Latino authors.

Somos un escrito accepts all forms of literature in English or in Spanish. The magazine's website is www.ollin.com/somos and submissions can be emailed to somossubmissions@gmail.com

So dust off that old short story you were working on or start a new poem or essay and submit your work!

Come attend our Self Awareness Workshop…

2009-11-13T16:05:00.004-07:00

This November 21st, we are going to have a Self Awareness Workshop at the SWOP youth office. The workshop is from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and lunch will be provided. The workshop will be about centering and self awareness; anyone can come, bring family and friends. THIS WORKSHOP IS MADATORY FOR ALL COIN YOUTH!!! Don’t miss out on a GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!! We guarantee you will have a lot of fun!!!

The Workshop will be held at the SWOP offices
at 211 10th St. SW. For more information please contact Emma @ (505)353-2941
office: (505)247-8832 ext.123 or email: Emma@swop.net.

Lou Dobbs Leaving CNN

2009-11-12T10:25:00.004-07:00

After months of pressure from multiple campaigns trying to oust him, Lou Dobbs is finally leaving CNN. This is a great victory for our communities- not just because we silenced his anti-immigrant rhetoric, but because we came together and demanded that hatespeech be removed from the airways.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone that participated to the Basta Dobbs campaign!

Search "Basta Dobbs" in this blog to follow our coverage of the campaign.

http://www.bastadobbs.com/blog/2009/nov/11/bastadobbscom-announces-victory-lou-dobbs-leave-cn/

Dobbs announces that he is stepping down.

Roberto Lovato of presente.org explains the Basta Dobbs campaign.

The fight to reclaim the media isn't over yet... keep checking this blog to find out about our latest work for media justice!

Carlsbad Kids Do Trash Pick-Up!

2009-11-11T10:19:00.008-07:00

On Saturday November 7, 2009 Carlsbad SWOP's Youth participated in the City Trash Pick-Up Program. It was a beautiful sunny day for the event. Participants were, SWOP Field Organizer Kathy Kelly, Garry Adams, Angie Allen, Charfalla, Demetrius, Isaiah, Anthony, Richard and Drew. Six kids ranging in age from 8-18 helped make our city just a little bit cleaner by picking trash up along one of the busiest streets on the south side, Boyd Drive. Each child is paid $7.50 per hour and our goal is to reach the allotted amount of $500.00 by the end of November. After we have completed the task and collected the money a fantastic trip to Ruidoso is planned in the near future for all participants. This is the perfect time of the year to visit Ruidoso with the leaves changing on all of the thousands of trees, emitting every color imaginable! Cudos to the Carlsbad SWOP Youth for making this a great success!

Winter Raffle Tix Available!

2009-11-10T12:17:00.004-07:00

Please contact us at SWOP to buy a ticket or if you are interested in selling tickets.

The person who sells the most tickets wins their pick of one of the $50 gift certificates on the list...

SWOP Youth Defend Right to Drive

2009-11-05T11:08:00.003-07:00

Two of our youth interns spoke with the Albuquerque Journal yesterday to weigh in on a proposal to refuse driving permits to youth that don't meet certain academic requirements. Lillian and Samantha did a good job representing for the youth that are targeted by this policy.

With all the discussions lately and suggestions for improving our education in the state, you'd think they would come up with a better solution than punishing low-income and minority students. You'd think.

You can see the article at the Journal's website.

ATTENTION SWOP MEMBERS

2009-11-04T06:12:00.000-07:00

Please don't forget about our Membership Meeting this Saturday, Nov. 7th. We will be talking about our work in the coming months as well as holding board elections. See you there!

UNM Students Unite for Health Care Reform on Nov. 4th

2009-11-03T22:21:00.002-07:00

Hey SWOPistas,

A new group of students at UNM is organizing a rally in support of Healthcare Reform with a strong public option. Support student organizers TOMORROW!
-------------------------------------

Tomorrow, November 4, 2009 UNM students will host an event in support of Health Care Reform. The event will take place in the Student Union Building from 12- 2pm.

The event will feature a “call your representative” phone drive, a petition to the all New Mexico senators and congressmen, and several prominent speakers, including Julie Heinrich, Dr. Jamal Martin, Dr. Sonia Gipson-Rankin, and Dr. Richard Wood.

“Students showed up to vote in 2008,” says UNM senior and event co-organizer, Angelica Baca, “and we are following through to make sure the issues are addressed.”

For additional information, please contact Justin Thompson at jethomps@unm.edu or call (505) 681-2322.

Carlsbad's CCCC Holds Second Meeting!

2009-11-02T09:57:00.008-07:00

Carlsbad SWOP recently held their second Community Complete Count Committee meeting. Those in attendance were: Elaine Avina-Census Partnership Specialist, Kathy O. Kelly-SWOP Field Organizer, Pastor David Munoz, Lula Miller, Irene Runnels, Kristy Beasley,Jessie Gates and Garry Adams.

The discussion was centered around the application for funding and how we want to utilize those funds. We came up with some really great ideas! Mr. Adams suggested a "mobile booth" and offered the use of his truck, trailer and time to make this happen. Each member has agreed to operate the booth at least once, starting in late January 2010 through the end of April 2010. The plan is to have the booth fully loaded with information about the 2010 Census and volunteers that know how to answer any/all questions or concerns that anyone may have. It will be driven around town and park at strategic places. We hope to reach more people in our community this way.

Our next idea was to place magnetic signs with Census info on our vehicles. We will have three sets of magnetic signs made and three members will place them on their vehicles for the entire week. We will round-robin until the end of the Census in April 2010. We also plan on having two banners made and lots of flyers!

Mrs. Avina gave us a really neat DVD about the Census and we will be approaching the local Drive-In and Walk-In movie theatre's to see if they will be willing to play the DVD before each movie starts. Wish us luck on that!

We have designated the Carlsbad SWOP office as a Q and A center for the central part of town. Pastor Munoz agreed to the use of his new church as a Q and A center as well for the West side of town. We want to locate a Q and A center in the south part of town known as "San Jose" as well, which is mostly populated with Latinos and African Americans, but have not pinpointed a location in that area yet.

Our goal is to get the numbers up in Eddy County at least 10%-15% from the previous Census in 2000. With the committed CCCCC members we have we will definitely reach our goal!

Our next meeting has been set for Thursday November 19th at 6:00pm at the local SWOP office.

REMEMBER...DO YOUR PART...FILL OUT SURVEY FORM AND RETURN IT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE...LET'S MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE 2010 CENSUS!

Youth Office Needs Help...

2009-10-29T15:02:00.003-07:00

Hey there folks,

This is Lilian one of the youth interns here at SWOP. We are calling out for your help. Our Youth office is looking kind of dull, we would like to make our Youth building more youth-friendly. Here are some of the items we're looking for.
(All donations will be tax deductable)
· Couches
· Tables
· Comfy chairs
· Cool place rugs
· Youth art work
· Bean bag chair
· End tables or coffee tables
All other donations are greatly appreciated.

If you would like to donate anything please contact:
Emma Sandoval-(505)-353-2941 or Emma@swop.net
Marisol Enyart-(505)-400-4815 or Marisol@swop.net

Thank you!

Have You Been Shopping Online?? You Can Help SWOP!

2009-10-29T09:23:00.003-07:00

GoodSearch is a search engine which donates 50-percent of its revenue to the charities and schools designated by its users. It's a simple and compelling concept. You use GoodSearch exactly as you would any other search engine. Because it's powered by Yahoo!, you get proven search results. The money GoodSearch donates to your cause comes from its advertisers — the users and the organizations do not spend a dime!

In 2007, GoodSearch was expanded to include GoodShop, an online shopping mall of world-class merchants dedicated to helping fund worthy causes across the country. Each purchase made via the GoodShop mall results in a donation to the user's designated charity or school – averaging approximately 3% of the sale, but going up to 20% or even more.

So designate SWOP and start your searching and shopping!

GoodSearch & GoodShop

YOU SEARCH OR SHOP... WE GIVE!

Raise money for SouthWest Organizing Project(Albuquerque NM) just by searching the web and shopping online!

Search the web now!

Money-saving coupons!

Add to your site

Our Internet, Not Theirs

2009-10-28T09:52:00.004-07:00

Here's an interesting discussion on Net Neutrality and the fight to keep corporations from controlling our culture. The guy with the moustache seems familiar... I think he used to work here?

Town Hall - Siembra la palabra digna

2009-10-26T13:08:00.005-07:00

Are you worried about the mainstream media? Are you offended by the hateful ideas promoted by major news sources? Are you concerned with the messages being pushed over the airways?

New Mexico Media Literacy Project is hosting a Town Hall this week to talk about all these issues. This is a good chance to join the discussion and help come up with solutions.
There will also be an update on the Basta Dobbs campaign, which was recently featured on the front page of the New York Times web edition.

SWOP Host Census Table at NAACP State Conference in Carlsbad!

2009-10-26T12:34:00.009-07:00

SWOP-Carlsbad hosted a table at the recent NAACP State conference held on October 23rd and 24th in Carlsbad, New Mexico. On Friday October 23rd, along with Partnership Specialist Elaine Avina (Roswell office)Field Organizer, Kathy O. Kelly set up an awesome table with lots of information and goodies surrounding the upcoming Census in mid March of 2010. We had a special guest, Dana L. Batey Partnership Specialist from Denver who joined us later that evening. Mrs. Batey spoke at the Gospel Extravaganza on Friday evening and in her message she talked about the importance of everyone participating in the survey and why we have a census taken every 10 years. She also encouraged everyone to join a Complete Count Committee in their area or just take part in any event concerning the Census!

During the Gospel Extravaganza there were some powerful voices with lyrics that touched deep into your 'soul'. One group that really rocked the house was "New Generation" from Hobbs New Mexico, all members of one terrific family! I know I got my "groove on". The new librarian at the University of New Mexico Carlsbad, who happens to be African American, gave a very informative speech on 'rhythm' and the part it has play within our society for over two centuries.

On Saturday we set our table up at 10:00am and by 10:15am it was empty. Every participant visited our table, at least once. We saw several faces over and over, but they all had lots of questions in which we gave them all the right answers and in the process we made some fabulous new friends from all over New Mexico, Texas, New York and California.

The luncheon was held at 12:30pm in which we all attended. I got the pleasure of meeting State Representative John Heaton, who was the guest speaker during the luncheon. I was impressed with his passion for equality for us all. He talked about the 'recession', Healthcare Reform, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, stimulus packets, housing market, unemployment, the 'special session'(that was just wrapping up as he spoke to us)and the state budget. After the luncheon a drawing was held and Rep. Heaton had the honor of drawing the three winning numbers, wouldn't you know it, two of the three drawings he pulled his own number, a little unbelievable, but he did! Needless to say he got a big laugh from the audience. He donated the items back and they were re-drawed for.

We also pick up four new SWOP members, Angie Allen, Betty Smith, Demitrius Mall and DeMauriek Walters who joined on Friday October 23, 2009. The SWOP family welcomes you all aboard!

Getting back to the Census and the work we all have to do to make it a success for our communities. If you are not part of a Complete Count Committee, join one! When the survey card reaches your mailbox, please fill it out and send it back in as soon as possible (it takes all of 10 minutes) and let's make a big difference in the 2010 Census! DO YOUR PART!

It was an absolute pleasure to work with Elaine and Dana on this event!

Member Meeting Nov. 7th

2009-10-26T10:41:00.003-07:00

Membership meeting on Saturday, Nov. 7th from 10am to 2pm at the Harwood Art Center. We will be holding board elections, so be there or be square!

Youth Strategy Update

2009-10-23T12:27:00.004-07:00

Last Saturday the 17th the Youth had a strategy session. The main focus of the strategy session was to create a new campaign dealing with education. We had eight people show up. It was Lillian and Samantha's first time facilitating a session. Later on we went to Tiguex Park where Lillian and Samantha gave an inspiring speech on budget cuts to education and health care. It was successful because everyone at the legislature rally was pumped and excited to hear the youth voices. Afterward everyone headed out to lunch where we had delightful sandwiches from Subway. Everyone had fun; they bonded and came to an agreement to scare Tracy. Very hilarious.

The goals we came with as a community organizing group were to redevelop year-long campaign work that connects to the vision we developed in our last strategy session: to find more ways to engage other youth in campaign work, and to brainstorm new creative ways to carry out the campaigns that youth identify with. Just to give a little taste of our inspiring speech here are two quotes from Samantha and Lillian:

"We the youth shake our heads at the thought... are they serious??"

"Cutting our Medicaid and educations SHOULDN'T even be an OPTION."
Lillian and Samantha at a rally in Santa Fe to protest budget cuts to education earlier this month.

Pictures from Basta Dobbs Press Conference

2009-10-21T13:08:00.003-07:00

Here's some pictures from the Basta Dobbs event organized by New Mexico Media Literacy Project that was held earlier today at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

We heard speakers from local organizations like El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos and UNM's Mexican Student Association and MeChA talk about how dangerous Lou Dobbs' hate speech can be.

We also saw this cool video by Arturo Perez...

Remember to visit Bastadobbs.com for more information, and text 'BASTA' or 'ENOUGH' to 30644 to join the campaign!

Basta Dobbs Press Conference Wednesday

2009-10-20T12:55:00.006-07:00

The Basta Dobbs Campaign will be holding press conferences around the country on Wednesday, including one in Albuquerque at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. The campaign aims to get CNN to drop Lou Dobbs from their programming because of his anti-immigrant and anti-Latino rhetoric.

New Mexico Media Literacy Project is organizing the event and SWOP will be there to show support along with Quote-Unquote Community Media Center, Young Women United, Centro de Igualidad and other organizations. Speakers at the event will include students from local groups.

This press conference is being convened on the eve of the launch of CNN's "Latino in America" programming. Come join us in telling CNN that they can't market to Latinos while continuing to allow Lou Dobbs to promote anti-Latino messages!

WHAT: Press conference of local leaders to demand CNN "Stop the Hypocrisy," and urge the community to join the 50,000 who have already added their voice to www.BastaDobbs.com

WHEN: Wednesday October 21 at 12 noon

WHERE: National Hispanic Cultural Center

For more info. call SWOP: (505)247-8832

Act Now: Tell CNN you've had enough of Dobbs.

The Basta Dobbs Campaign is a project of Presente.org. To see our interview with Roberto Lovato, co-founder of Presente.org, click here.

Emma Sandoval on New Mexico's budget crisis

2009-10-17T13:20:00.003-07:00

SWOP's Emma Sandoval has an opinion piece published in the Albuquerque Journal today. In the piece, she talks about the state's budget crisis in relation to her own experience as a young Chicana and single mother.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Build Tax Base Instead of Piling on More Cuts

By Emma Sandoval
SouthWest Organizing Project

The state Legislature meets this weekend for a special session convened by Gov. Bill Richardson to figure out how to deal with a sizable and growing budget deficit. The governor and leaders of our Legislature all seem to think they can make cuts to government services alone to plug what some estimate could be a $700 million hole in the budget.

As a young Chicana and single mom, I shake my head at the thought. Rather than target our social programs for cuts, it's time to find the revenue we need — we can no longer bury our heads in the sand.

The state has an education crisis, especially concerning Latino youths. A study commissioned by the state in 2008 showed our educational system is already underfunded by 14.5 percent. Then, the Legislature gave us a budget this year that harmed education further by using one-time stimulus funding rather than finding the additional revenue we need.

As has just been discussed in an Albuquerque Journal series, it's Latino youths who bear the brunt of New Mexico's lack of investment in education. For many of us, government-funded programs are the make-or-break factor for achieving bright futures.

I dropped out of high school when I was 16. It was only through a mentorship program that I was able to turn that trajectory around and get back into school. I don't know where I would be today without that mentoring. These types of programs are essential if we want to turn around the achievement gap between Latino and Anglo youths.

Read the rest here.

2009-10-15T13:18:00.001-07:00

SWOPISTAS! Check out this awesome film...

EARTH DAYS
Oct 18 to Oct 24
Sunday through Saturday 3:30, 5:30, 7:45 Dir. Robert Stone - 2009 - 102m It is now all the rage in the Age of Al Gore and Obama, but can you remember when everyone in America was not “Going Green”?

EARTH DAYS is a visually stunning, vastly entertaining and awe- inspiring look-back to the dawn and development of the modern environmental movement—from its post-war rustlings in the 1950s to the first wildly successful 1970 Earth Day celebration and the subsequent firestorm of political action.

View a trailer at http://zeitgeistfilms.com/displaytrailer.php?directoryname=earthdays&size=low&extension=avi

THE GUILD CINEMA
3405 CENTRAL AVE. NE
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87106
tel: (505)255-1848
fax: (505)232-9385
http://www.guildcinema.com/

I Promise To Never Get Sick

2009-10-15T06:00:00.001-07:00

Rally time! Let's show those insurance company CEOs our support and vow to never let ourselves get sick again! After all, we're here to serve them.

Just kidding! Actually, insurance companies are fighting hard against quality health care reform and this is your chance to fight back. Come rally in "support" of CEO profits and highlight the craziness of it all.

The rally is on Tuesday, Oct. 20th at 6:00PM and will be held in the field across the street from Presbyterian Hospital (corner of Central and Cedar).

For more information contact Tomás at (505)301-6671 or tomas@swop.net

A Message from SWOP Youth

2009-10-14T11:48:00.006-07:00

Samantha and Lilian

Hi, my name is Lilian Fernandez. I'm one of the year-long interns here at SWOP, I'm 16 years old and I attend Nuestros Valores Charter High School. I'm originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, but I have lived here practically all my life. I live with my parents Alejandro and Sanjuana Fernandez. I have two siblings- an older brother and a younger sister. I got involved with the summer internship at SWOP when my job coordinator at school gave me an application because I was on the verge of dropping out, and I wanted to help out my parents with the money situation. I'm very thankful for being given the chance of participating in the internship, and helping my community. Thank you SWOP, you changed my life.

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Hi, my name is Samantha Montaño. I am one of the year-long interns here at SWOP. I am 16 years old and a junior at Rio Grande HS. I am a Chicana born and raised here in the South Valley of Albuquerque. I live with my younger brothers and single mom. My mom's name is Yvette Trujillo and my dad's name is Joe Montaño. I'd like to give thanks to my Spanish teacher Mrs. Jurado for giving me the application for the summer internship at SWOP. She set an application aside just for me. I used to think that there were no teachers that cared or took their time just to help their students succeed. Thank you SWOP for you support and giving me a chance in life.

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We want to be a part of the SWOP family because we both want to see our communities change in a positive way. We want to set an example for our younger peers, so there could be more resources dealing with education. We look forward to making a change in our community, and being the voice for the YOUTH.

SWOP Employment and Volunteer Opportunity

2009-10-14T10:30:00.006-07:00

Hi friends and allies the SouthWest Organizing Project is excited to announce we are hiring a contract position for an Academic Coordinator to work with our high school youth. This position will focus on getting our youth academically prepared for college and navigating the processes involved with getting into college. Please feel free to call or e-mail me for the full job announcement at Monica 505-247-8832 or monica@swop.net. The deadline for submitting an application is October 19, 2009.

We are also looking for volunteers to tutor our youth at after school homework hours here at the office. We have Homework Support on Mondays from 4pm-7pm and Thursdays from 5pm-8pm. Any youth are welcome! We would really appreciate any teachers, college students and community members who can dedicate time to help our students with their homework. Again please contact Monica if you are interested in volunteering or have a young person that would like to come!