CHICANO RADIO NETWORK U.S.A. Blog

October 22, 2013, is one day shy of the anniversary of the October 23, 2012, resolution that was passed unanimously by the Mayor and Council to immediately develop a plan to transform El Rio to a family golf-park facility and put it under the Parks and Recreation Department and the general fund.

To date, one year later, no plan has been submitted to the Mayor and Council or to the community. That is because, we believe, there is no plan, nothing has been done to carry out the directive of Mayor and Council. Apparently, City staff has chosen to simply ignore the directive given them by their bosses, the elected Mayor and Council.

The El Rio Coalition II has sent a letter to the Mayor and Council asking them to (1) have a Public Hearing on El Rio, (2) rescind their decision/vote that made El Rio available for sale, and (3) reaffirm their October 23, 2012, resolution. We have not heard back from any council member or from the Mayor.

Apparently, the way the City works is that the City staff ignores the Mayor and Council and the Mayor and Council ignore their constituents. This culture of arrogance that characterizes City Hall, the house of the people, has to change.

City Hall’s culture of arrogance is evident in the Mayor’s and Councilmembers’ and City staff’s refusal to release public records to the public even after the El Rio Coalition II won its lawsuit and the judge ordered the City to make available all the records relating to the El Rio-Grand Canyon University matter.

The El Rio Coalition II’s first Public Records Request was filed on May 13, 2013. Five months later—and two months after the judge ordered the City to turn over the records—the City has yet to make those records available. Notably, the records the City is refusing to make available to the public are the e-mails and other records from the offices of the Mayor and the Councilmembers (with the exception of Councilmember Kozachik, who has released his records). Obviously, the elected officials are hiding something. Elected officials should not have to be pressured to comply with state law and court orders.

Ceci Cruz, Chair, El Rio Coalition II

(520) 884-0070

[email protected]

The roughly 70 immigrant detainees traveling in the two buses blocked by immigration activists in Tucson on Friday have been deported, the Arizona Daily Star reports.

Citing attorney Margo Cowan, who also represents the DREAM 9 for their asylum cases, the paper reports that the detainees were deported through Calexico, Calif. and Del Rio, Texas. But there was a silver lining for activists — none of the detainees received jail time because their protest disrupted Friday’s court proceedings.

Two dozen protesters stopped two buses carrying detainees on Friday to protest a federal immigration program designed to slap undocumented immigrants with a criminal offense before deporting them. Launched in 2005, the George W. Bush administration argued that Operation Streamline would reduce illegal immigration by charging offenders with a criminal count of illegal entry and making them serve jail time before deporting them.

Activists livestreamed images of themselves chained around the wheels of the buses and linked into a human fence in front of the Tucson courthouse parking to lot to keep the buses from moving. The detainees were headed to the courthouse to face charges of illegal entry, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

But the protest delayed the detainees’ arrival, making it impossible for them to meet with an attorney before facing court proceedings, KTIC Radio reports. By Saturday they had been deported, without trial.

Tucson police arrested 16 of the demonstrators and charged them with hindering prosecution in the first degree, a felony, according to the Phoenix New Times. They were released on their own recognizance within hours.

Immigrant rights activists have protested the Operation Streamline repeatedly over the years, arguing that the practice of convicting people en masse raises due process questions and criminalizes undocumented immigrants that are normally detained and deported under civil law.

Courts in Tucson convict up to 74 people in two hours under Operation Streamline, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Opponents of Operation Streamline also argue that the program siphons off resources better used to prosecute violent criminals.

This post has been updated to add reports that detainees did not receive jail time before being deported.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/14/operation-streamline-detainees-deported_n_4096894.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

EVA LONGORIA AND MARIO LOPEZ TO CO-HOST THE

“2013 NCLR ALMA AWARDS®”

Robert Rodriguez, Rosario Dawson and Carlos Santana to receive special tributes

Tony Plana and Wilmer Valderrama among honorees

Jessica Alba, Alexa Vega, Gina Rodriguez, Rico Rodriguez, the cast of Devious Maids

and more to present

One-hour prime-time special to air LIVE on MSNBC

Friday, Sept. 27 at 10:00 ET/7:00 PT

LOS ANGELES, CA (September 18, 2013) —Leading Latina actress and activist Eva Longoria (ABC’s Desperate Housewives) will return once again as co-host of the “2013 NCLR ALMA Awards,” joined this year by actor and television personality Mario Lopez (NBC’s Extra, FOX’s The X Factor). The barrier-breaking awards show will broadcast LIVE on MSNBC as a one-hour televised prime-time special on Friday, September 27, 2013, at 10:00 ET/7:00 PT. The awards show will also include complementary programming on MSNBC and mun2 and on digital platforms including mun2.tv and Telemundo.com.

The “2013 NCLR ALMA Awards” honorees include:

· Anthony Quinn Award for Industry Excellence: ROBERT RODRIGUEZ

Credited with reshaping the cultural landscape by integrating Latino faces, stories and themes into the mainstream with groundbreaking works such as El Mariachi, From Dusk Till Dawn and the Spy Kids franchise, Robert Rodriguez will be presented the Anthony Quinn Award for Industry Excellence by Jessica Alba (Sin City), who will be joined onstage by Machete’s Tito Larriva and Spy Kids’ Daryl Sabara and Alexa Vega as part of the special tribute. Actors Cheech Marin, George Lopez and Danny Trejo will also take part in the presentation.

· Outstanding Commitment to Cause and Community Award: CARLOS SANTANA

Music legend Carlos Santana will be recognized for his tireless advocacy for increased access to the arts, education and health care for underprivileged youth, as well as the fight against child poverty and suffering. A ten-time Grammy Award® winner and three-time Latin Grammy Award® winner, Santana is an emblem of success and altruism in the Latino community and worldwide.

· Outstanding Commitment to Cause and Community Award: ROSARIO DAWSON

The box-office darling Rosario Dawson (Sin City, Men in Black) will be recognized for distinction in service, where she matches her talents on the big screen with an equal passion for activism in the Latino community. Dawson supports the Lower East Side Girls Club, Voto Latino and other causes and charities that make a difference in the lives of women, protect the environment and have global impact.

· Presenters also include: Jessica Alba (Sin City, Machete), Gina Rodriguez (Filly Brown), Rico Rodriguez (Modern Family), the cast of NBC’s new comedy Welcome to the Family (Ricardo Chavira, Justina Machado, Fabrizio Zacharee Guido and Joseph Haro) and the Latina-led cast of Lifetime’s Devious Maids (Roselyn Sanchez, Dania Ramirez, Judy Reyes, Ana Ortiz and Edy Ganem).

In addition, the “2013 NCLR ALMA Awards” will feature three new segments, including a comedic segment with special guest Al Madrigal (The Daily Show), a social media segment with mun2’s Yarel Ramos and Crash and a special performance segment featuring the young singer Sebastien De La Cruz, “El Charro de Oro” (America’s Got Talent).

A special one-hour pre-show telecast will honor actor, writer and director Tony Plana with the Ricardo Montalban Award for Lifetime Achievement, actor Wilmer Valderrama with the Outstanding Social Activism Award and writer and producer Nancy De Los Santos Reza with the Outstanding Industry and Community Service Award.

The 2013 NCLR ALMA Awards telecast—a National Hispanic Heritage Month event—celebrates America’s favorite Latinos in the entertainment industry, television, film and music. The special will be produced by Flavio Morales, Sergio Alfaro and John Ehrhard, executive producers of Latino-led Big Vida Entertainment. Also serving as executive producers are Longoria and Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR.

Fans will be able to view four on-air hours of related programming, in addition to online content that includes celebrity interviews and behind-the-scenes footage:

· Friday, September 27 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT on MSNBC

“2013 NCLR ALMA Awards” LIVE broadcast of a one-hour awards special.

· Friday, September 27 at 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT on MSNBC

Live broadcast of a one-hour news special on issues affecting the Latino community hosted by MSNBC’s Alex Wagner with featured guests Janet Murguía and MSNBC contributor Maria Teresa Kumar.

· Saturday, September 28 at 4:00 p.m. ET on mun2

The “mun2 News Special Hecho en America” featuring Latinos who are changing politics, culture and business in the U.S. Featuring actress Jessica Alba, Janet Murguía, Sen. Marco Rubio (R–Fla.), Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Anna Maria Chávez, comedian George Lopez, boxer Marlene Esparza and recording artist Christina Aguilera.

· Saturday, October 5 at 4:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. CT on mun2

“2013 NCLR ALMA Awards All Access Red Carpet Special” featuring performers, presenters, hosts and honorees on the red carpet followed by mun2 rebroadcasts of the “2013 NCLR ALMA Awards.”

Advertisers returning for this year’s show include Target, Pepsi, Comcast, Wells Fargo, State Farm, Prudential and McDonald’s. Encore presentations of the “2013 NCLR ALMA Awards” will air throughout Hispanic Heritage Month on mun2, and exclusive content will be available for Comcast Video on Demand and on Telemundo.com/ALMA.

For additional information, including announcements about the host, presenters and performers at this year’s ceremony, visit www.almaawards.com or follow the show using our handle on Twitter: @almaawards and on Instagram: instagram.com/almaawards, or hashtag #ALMA13.

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About NCLR

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. The NCLR ALMA Awards presentation is an integral part of that mission: a national prime-time television network entertainment special with a cause—to show how diversity strengthens our country and how inclusion strengthens the American entertainment industry. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and on Twitter.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet and phone provider to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. NBCUniversal operates 30 news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

About MSNBC

MSNBC is the premier destination for in-depth analysis of daily headlines, insightful political commentary and informed perspectives. Reaching more than 95 million households worldwide, MSNBC offers a full schedule of live news coverage, political opinions and award-winning documentary programming – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Viewers can find more information on MSNBC’s programming at www.tv.msnbc.com.

Latin American Festival 2013
Saturday, September 7th North Pine at 7th
Downtown Long Beach

5pm- 10pm

The Downtown Long Beach Associates’ 5th Annual Latin American Festival returns to the streets of Downtown Long Beach on September 7th. In partnership with Vice Mayor Robert Garcia, this year the event will take place in Historic North Pine Avenue between 6th & 8th Streets, from 5pm – 10pm. The event will feature live performances from La Santa Cecilia at 6:30pm, and Raul Pacheco Y Los Dragones de Cumbia at 8pm, numerous vendors including hand-made clothing and original artwork, interactive opportunities, health & wellness information and authentic Latin Cuisine. Live music and dance performances will take place throughout the day on two stages and a children’s activity area will feature a variety of activities to keep the kids entertained.

More info: http://downtownlongbeach.org/Latest-News-Detail/News-Latin-American-Parade-Festival-2012?id=3870

(CBS SF/AP) – Linda Ronstadt says she suffers from Parkinson’s disease, which has robbed her ability to sing.

The 67-year-old music legend and San Francisco resident tells AARP Magazine, in an article posted online Friday, that she was diagnosed eight months ago and “can’t sing a note.”

Ronstadt says she began to show symptoms as long as eight years ago, but attributed her inability to sing then to a tick disease. When her hands began to tremble, Ronstadt said she thought the shaking was the result of a shoulder operation.

She said she was “completely shocked” when she finally saw a neurologist and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. “I wouldn’t have suspected that in a million, billion years.

“No one can sing with Parkinson’s disease,” Ronstadt told AARP music writer Alanna Nash. “No matter how hard you try.”

Ronstadt sold tens of millions of records starting in the 1970s with pop hits like “You’re No Good” and “When Will I Be Loved.” But she also segued into country, pop standards and mariachi music, among other genres.

In addition, the singer was known for her romances with California Gov. Jerry Brown and filmmaker George Lucas.

Ronstadt now uses poles to walk on uneven ground and a wheelchair when traveling, the AARP story said.

Her autobiography will be released next month, but makes no mention of Parkinson’s or the loss of her voice, according to AARP.

The singer’s New York-based managers did not immediately respond to requests from The Associated Press for comment.

Board President Mónica García
NEWS FROM THE CRADLE OF REFORM
Leading Change in Los Angeles

Thank you Sal Castro, on behalf of all the hundreds of thousands of students who benefited from your life’s work. You taught students to stand up for their rights and that it was beautiful to be Chicano.

Words from Community Leaders

Paula Crisostomo, 1968 Walkout Student Leader

“Sal had a personality and presence that lit up the room, he had this uncanny capability of connecting with young Chicano Latino students. You could have been one in a room of hundreds and he made you feel as if he were speaking directly to you. He had a great sense of humor and he used that humor to engage and educate.”

Dr. Robin Avelar-LaSalle

“We still think our teacher is a rock star! We cannot forget to teach the younger brothers and sisters coming up about Mr. Castro and the Chicano movement and struggles that we had and still fight for today.”

Justice Carlos Moreno

“Sal was a great man, a true force of nature, a man on a mission. His mission was to always improve the educational opportunities for Chicano students, beginning with his early days as a playground director to going to college himself and becoming one of the greatest teachers in history. He really is a true vindication and social icon, not just for Latinos in Los Angeles and California, but really a national hero.”

Maria Elena Yepes, Director, East Los Angeles Community College

“Sal Castro awakened the consciousness of many Chicanos and Chicanas. His legacy lives on in those who believe it and continue to fight for educational justice. We owe Sal an incredible debt of gratitude. Que viva Sal Castro!”

Congressman Esteban E. Torres (Ret.)

“I was impressed from the first time I met him in 1968. As a Garfield High School graduate, I supported Sal. It’s a proud moment for me to be here today with his family, followers, and students. This is a part of history.”

Dr. Carlos Haro

“He is the major reformer in education of our era, he really touched a generation– the Chicano generations of the 60’s and 70’s. He helped us establish an identity and motivated us to continue our education and to become professionals. It was a creation of a new class, never seen before in the Mexican-American community. We have to continue the struggle, he lived the life of struggle and it was all with the intention of serving his community, especially the young people who lived and attended the schools he fought for.”

Dr. Daniel Solorzano

“His commitment to the Latino community, especially on issues of educational equity and leadership, are the issues that will stand the test of time. He will be remembered for his legacy and the many leaders he helped develop, frame, encourage, and support. He is an amazing person.”

“Mad Men’s” Vincent Kartheiser and the AMC show’s Season 5 guest star, Alexis Bledel, are getting married.

Alexis and Vincent are engaged, a rep for the actress confirmed to AccessHollywood.com.

PLAY IT NOW: Alexis Bledel: ‘I Actually Love Action Movies’

The former “Gilmore Girls” starlet, 31, played the mistress of Kartheiser’s ad exec character, Pete Campbell, for a three-episode arc on the popular AMC series last season.

PHOTOS: Stars Who Have Gotten Engaged In 2013

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Stars Who Got Engaged In 2013

The stars first began dating in early 2012.

On the show, Vincent’s Pete fell hard for Alexis’ Beth, despite both of them being married. The romance appeared to end for good though, on “Mad Men,” when Beth had a lobotomy.

It’s not the first time Alexis has been romantically linked to a co-star — she dated her “Gilmore Girls” on-screen boyfriend Milo Ventimiglia for several years.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: From On-Set Romance To Real-Life Love: Hollywood’s Hottest Co-Star Couples!

PHOTOS: From On-Set Romance To Real-Life Love! Hollywood’s Co-Star Couples

An impending walk down the aisle isn’t the only news for Alexis – she’s also lined up a new TV gig.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Celebrity Engagement Rings — The Bling Is The Thing!

Alexis will co-star in a new FOX sitcom pilot called “Friends & Family,” alongside Jason Ritter per EW. The show is based on the UK series “Gavin & Stacey.” Alexis will play Stacey to Jason’s Gavin.

— Eric Anderson

Copyright 2013 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

by Pete Williams, NBC News
11:29 am on 02/25/2013

A federal prosecutor came in for some biting criticism today from Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Stephen Breyer for a racially charged remark made during a criminal trial.

The comment by the justices came as the court declined to hear the appeal of a man who was convicted in a Texas federal court of being in on a drug conspiracy.

The issue for the defendant, Bongani Charles Calhoun, was whether he knew that the people he accompanied on a road trip were about to buy illegal drugs, or whether he was merely along for the ride.

During cross-examination, Calhoun said he distanced himself from the others when one of them arrived at their hotel room with a bag of money. The prosecutor, an assistant US attorney in the Western District of Texas, pressed him to explain why he didn’t want to be there. The prosecutor asked, “You’ve got African-Americans. You’ve got Hispanics, and you’ve got a bag full of money. Does that tell you — a light bulb doesn’t go off in your head and say, ‘This is a drug deal?’”

After he was convicted, Calhoun — who is African-American — claimed the prosecutor’s racially charged remark violated his constitutional rights by appealing to the jury’s prejudice. The court today declined to take up his appeal, because his lawyers failed to properly pursue the issue in the lower courts.

But Sotomayor and Breyer said they couldn’t let the case pass without writing “to dispel any doubt of whether the Court’s denial of the case “should be understood to signal our tolerance of a federal prosecutor’s racially charged remark. It should not,” they wrote.

“By suggesting that race should play a role in establishing a defendant’s criminal intent, the prosecutor here tapped into a deep and sorry vein of racial prejudice that has run through the history of criminal justice in our Nation.

“It is deeply disappointing to see a representative of the United States resort to this base tactic more than a decade into the 21st century,” they said.

“We expect the government to seek justice, not to fan the flames of fear and prejudice.”

The justices also said it was troubling to see the Justice Department fail to immediately condemn what happened. Instead, they said, during the appeals in the lower courts, the government called the prosecutor’s remark “impolitic” and said it did not affect the outcome of the trial “even assuming the question crossed the line.”

Only when the case reached the Supreme Court did the Justice Department concede that the remark was “unquestionably improper.”

“I hope never to see a case like this again,” wrote Justice Sotomayor for herself and Justice Breyer.

by eesparza on February 22nd, 2013 12:25 PM | Spotlight, TV

CNN is entering into a production and distribution agreement with critically-acclaimed journalist Soledad O’Brien, whose new production company will produce long-form programming specials for the network it was announced today by Jeff Zucker, president CNN Worldwide. O’Brien’s company, which will launch in June, will produce three long-form programming specials for CNN in 2014. Those specials will include one of the network’s most successful franchises, Black in America. O’Brien’s new production company, Starfish Media Group, in conjunction with CNN, will act as the exclusive worldwide distributor of previous documentaries featuring O’Brien. She will also host the 2013 CNN Black in America documentary, which will air later this year.

“We greatly value Soledad’s experience, and her first-rate storytelling will continue to be an asset to CNN,” said Zucker. “Documentaries and long-form story telling are important to our brand and we’re anticipating more of what we’ve come to expect from her — riveting content.”

“The new partnership opportunity allows me to focus on what I love to do the most, and to focus on the next stage of my career, owning my own work,” said O’Brien, “At CNN, I am grateful to have been able to tell often underreported stories and confront difficult topics. In the new production venture, I will continue to shine a light on what we all find most interesting about America.”

As anchor and special correspondent for CNN, O’Brien has been integral in hosting and developing the award winning Black in America franchise, one of the network’s most successful international franchises, as well as reporting breaking news from around the globe. In 2011, she won her first Emmy for Crisis in Haiti (Anderson Cooper 360) in the category of Outstanding Live Coverage of a Current News Story – Long Form. O’Brien was part of the coverage teams that earned CNN a George Foster Peabody award for its BP oil spill and Katrina coverage and an Alfred I. duPont Award for its coverage of the Southeast Asia tsunami. The National Association of Black Journalists named O’Brien the Journalist of the Year and Edward R. Murrow Awards lauded her with the RTDNA/UNITY award for Latino in America in 2010.

Starfish Media Group is a 360 media production company and distributor, dedicated to uncovering and producing empowering stories that take a challenging look at often divisive issues of race, class, wealth, opportunity, poverty and personal stories. Starfish Media Group will produce both long-form reporting for CNN and other platforms, as well as theatrical and scripted television projects. In addition to Starfish Media Group, Soledad, along with her husband Brad, will also continue to run the Soledad O’Brien and Brad Raymond Foundation, that sends two dozen young women to and through college (obrienraymondfoundation.org).

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

Source: http://www.latinheat.com/2013/02/22/cnn-joins-forces-with-soledad-obriens-new-production-company/