Leila Chapa

UNM Palestine solidarity encampment protesters reflect after final dismissed charges

Last month, the final criminal charges were dismissed against protesters who were arrested during the April occupation of the University of New Mexico Student Union Building in support of Palestine. Months after the event, protesters are reflecting on its impact. UNM alum and community organizer Siihasin Hope was the only protester who had damages attached to their criminal trespass charge. Hope’s attorney’s office confirmed via email on Nov. 13 that all their charges were dismissed with prejudice.

Family of Matthew ‘Solo’ Garcia speaks at city council meeting

During an Albuquerque City Council meeting on Monday, Dec. 2, the family of Matthew “Solo” Garcia was joined by community members and activists to request accountability from the Albuquerque Police Department after officers fatally shot Garcia while he was handcuffed in the back of a police car during a code enforcement on Oct. 18. About two weeks before the meeting, Albuquerque Police Department Commander Kyle Hartsock revealed in a public briefing the names of the two officers who shot Matthew Garcia: Precious Cadena and Zachary Earles. A total of 11 shots were fired, 10 of which struck Garcia, Hartsock said during the briefing.

Comic, Nov. 25, 2024

Los Poblanos hosts lecture on migratory birds

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, Laura Banks, president of the nonprofit Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico, spoke about migratory birds to a nearly full audience at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm. Banks told the Daily Lobo that during this time of year, the most visible birds in New Mexico are sandhill cranes, Canada geese, waterfowl and different species of ducks. Migratory birds almost double their body weight during migration season to store fat, which they use as fuel while flying, according to Banks.

Protesters gather and march after Trump’s reelection

On Nov. 11, community members and activists rallied in Downtown Albuquerque and marched against fascism following former president Donald Trump’s reelection. Fascism is a “far-right, authoritarian political philosophy that exalts nation and race above the individual,” according to The Associated Press. Fascist governments are associated with having a dictatorial leader, according to Merriam-Webster. In an interview with The New York Times, Trump’s former chief of staff called Trump a far-right authoritarian who falls into the general definition of fascist.

Inaugural Space Day brings UNM’s space community together

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the University of New Mexico’s first Space Day was held at the Student Union Building Ballroom. The event welcomed all space enthusiasts from on and off campus. The Space Sustainability Research Grand Challenge and the Center for Advanced Sample Analysis of Astromaterials from the Moon and Beyond, aka CASA Moon, supported and organized the event. Both programs are centered at UNM. Charles Shearer Jr. and Maryam Hojati are UNM professors and members of SSRGC. They were the lead organizers for Space Day. “We are trying to make sure that New Mexico can be one of the leaders in space technology and space science in the future,” Hojati said.

Winter storm leaves thousands of New Mexicans without power, trees damaged

On Thursday, Nov. 7, a winter storm caused 50,000 people to lose power throughout the northern half of New Mexico. Impacted areas included Albuquerque, Valencia County, Santa Fe County and Sandoval County, according to Public Service Company of New Mexico spokesperson Jeff Buell. The University of New Mexico and Albuquerque Public Schools were closed on Nov. 7 due to the snow. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared two statewide emergecies Nov. 7, providing $1.5 million to state agencies that were responding to the impacts of the storm, according to a press release.

Protesters march against Trump's Albuquerque visit

On Thursday, Oct. 31, protesters marched at CSI Aviation in Albuquerque, where former President Donald Trump was making a campaign stop. The protest was organized by the Albuquerque Party for Socialism and Liberation in rejection of Trump’s visit to New Mexico. It focused on criticizing Trump’s stance on immigration, uplifting the working class and ending the war in Gaza. The group of about 40 protesters marched down Clark Carr Road toward where Trump was speaking, until a line of Albuquerque Police Department officers blocked off the road. Protesters chanted and rallied there before marching back.

Officers on leave after fatally shooting a man in handcuffs

On Oct. 18, an Albuquerque Police Department officer fatally shot 39-year-old Matthew “Solo” Garcia while he was handcuffed in the back of a police car outside the Tewa Lodge, according to body camera footage shared by the Albuquerque Journal. Garcia’s father, Fred Garcia, told the Daily Lobo that he spoke with his son the day before the incident. “I got to tell him I love him one last time, but I wish it would have never been just one more time,” he said. “I would have given anything for it to be forever.”

Pro-Palestine speakers question new public comment rules for Regents meetings

On Thursday, Oct. 17, the University of New Mexico Board of Regents held its second open session of the semester on South Campus, after which protesters chalked the sidewalks and delayed two officials from driving off the premises. Prior to the meeting, some people who had signed up to speak at public comment received rejection emails from the Regents office. The emails informed them that public comment was allowed from seven speakers per topic, and that the seven slots were already filled.

VIDEO STORY: Lobo men's hockey battles rivals NAU in close back-to-back games

On Friday, Dec. 6, the Lobos lost 3-2 in a close game against Northern Arizona University. The next day, the Lobos managed to hold a 3-3 draw before ultimately losing 6-4 to NAU.

VIDEO STORY: At UNM Hanging of the Greens, students project messages in support of Palestine

VIDEO STORY: Albuquerque community marches against Trump's reelection

VIDEO STORY: Protesters march and rally against Trump's Albuquerque visit

VIDEO STORY: Family of Matthew "Solo" Garcia joins march against police violence

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VIDEO STORY: UNM students hold walkout for Palestine

VIDEO STORY: Pro-Palestine protesters form blockade, raise Palestinian flag ahead of Oct. 7

VIDEO STORY: Rally held at UNM bookstore in support of Palestine and Lebanon

VIDEO STORY: 2024 New Mexico Climate Strike