Leila Chapa

People’s March held in Albuquerque in response to Trump presidency

Sunday, Jan. 19 On Jan. 19, hundreds of protesters rallied and marched at Civic Plaza during the People’s March in response to President Donald Trump’s return to office. Protesters chanted and carried signs highlighting areas another Trump presidency may impact, including reproductive rights, immigrant rights, environmental justice, affordable healthcare and Palestinian rights. Politicians and community members spoke to the crowd during the rally, including former United States Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D), Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers, poet Hakim Bellamy and Albuquerque First Lady Elizabeth Kistin Keller.

UNM Board of Regents votes to amend free speech policies

During a governance committee meeting on Dec. 5, 2024, members of the University of New Mexico Board of Regents passed amendments to UNM’s free speech policies, which will allow groups to rent spaces at UNM regardless of the nature of their speech. Robert Schwartz and Paula Tackett, the committee meeting’s two Regent attendees, voted on amendments to the Regents' Policy Manual Section 2.1: Free Expression and Advocacy, Section 2.2: Speakers from Off Campus and Section 2.8: Visitors to the University. The amendments went into effect Dec. 19.

City Council passes resolution to prohibit overnight camping in public spaces

Last month, the Albuquerque City Council voted to pass ordinances O-24-56 and O-24-58, which prohibit camping in tents or any other structure intended for spending the night in parks and public spaces. During a city council meeting on Dec. 16, 2024, O-24-56 passed on a 6-3 vote and O-24-58 passed on a 5-4 vote. Some public commenters expressed concerns about how the ordinances would impact Albuquerque’s unhoused population. Both bills were sponsored by city councilor Renée Grout, who represents District 9. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller did not sign either bill but did not exercise his veto power, meaning both bills went into effect.

Outgoing regent pushes for neutral position on divestment from Israel

On Dec. 19, after public comment during the final University of New Mexico Board of Regents meeting of 2024, Robert Schwartz became the first regent to formally speak publicly about University divestment from Israel. Students, faculty members and community members in support of Palestine have been speaking about the topic at Regents meetings since February. The agenda for the Dec. 19 Regents meeting initially listed “Consideration of Administration Analysis of Recommendations Regarding Divestment from Israel and Certain Companies” as an action item, but it was later removed, according to an email from the Board of Regents’ office provided to the Daily Lobo. During the meeting, Schwartz said that the decision to remove divestment from the agenda was “cowardly,” and that UNM should take a neutral position regarding divestment.

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.

VIDEO STORY: Actions held in Albuquerque in response to Trump's inauguration

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

VIDEO STORY: What issues matter to students in the 2024 election?

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