Our New Anahuac

Tell us a little bit about your Nahuatl name. How did you receive the name, and why did you feel it was important to use that name publicly? I wrote something about my Nahuatl name which I am attaching for your review. (I will have it copied and pasted under this paragraph for you.) I [...]

In this piece, Efren responds to a few of my questions. Check back for more interview questions in Part III including information on his Nahuatl name. Tell me a little bit about the most recent efforts to secure your release. Specifically, is there any review pending? I currently have a commutation request pending before Michigan [...]

Efren Paredes Jr. was robbed of his freedom at fifteen years of age.  Especially for those not involved in social justice issues, I will begin with the words of Efren’s mother from the 4efren.com website: I know it is difficult for people who have not experienced a wrongful conviction in their family to understand how [...]

Blanca Alanis is the owner of Heights Books-Libros, located at 520 E. 20th St., Houston, TX 77008.  Buy books from her.  This is her poem, Voz De Mi Gente.   VOZ DE MI GENTE Por mi gente, si no yo, quien?  Por su honor y su sudor. Dime, a quien le vale eso.  A quien [...]

My father is a practicing attorney in Houston.  A significant portion of his intakes start off with “fui con un notario;”  in English, “I went to a notary.”  When we hear this, we usually assume that the rest of the story can’t be good. The Office of Attorney General sums up the scam pretty well: [...]

Representatives from La Raza Justice Movement, LULAC, The Millions More Movement and SHAPE community center, held a press conference to denounce racism and sexism at The Houston Fire Department.  Their shared goal was to send a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder in hopes of opening a federal investigation against charges of racism, sexism and [...]

La Raza Justice Movement, Quanell X and Shape Community Center are some of the signatories of this letter to Attorney General Holder.  Press conference today! Dear Eric Holder:   I am Shelby Stewart, a Civil Rights Activist and a Sergeant with the Houston Police Department. I have been serving my community for 27 years with [...]

Thanks to Cesar Espinoza of CRECEN for bringing this national campaign against Lou Dobbs to my attention through “the coalition.”  In light of many advertisers running away from Glenn Beck due to his blatantly fascist, racists and mentally disturbed comments, I think that this campaign could really pick up steam. BastaDobbs.com writes: BastaDobbs.com exists to change [...]

A letter from Irma Muniz, Ramey’s wife: With sincerest gratitude I write to inform you that Ramsey has been transferred to the Beaumont Federal Correctional Institution. Although the location is not closest to home, he is back in Texas and we are elated about this change. Now we will work on his freedom! On behalf [...]

No To 281(g)   Spirits were high at City Hall Wednesday, on the third day of the hunger strike against 287(g).  Pastor Julio Barquero and Alejandrina Madmouj stood strong on what many hunger strikers agree to be one of the most grueling day of any hunger strike: day three. Neither the heat, rain, humidity deterred [...]