Category: Transforming Justice

Before smart phones and before Black Lives Matter movement, La Cucaracha was writing about police brutality, over representation in the courts and prisons, and double standards under the law. In 2021, El Movimiento Sigué, (publisher of La Cucaracha) entered into a partnership with the Latino Coalition for Community Leadership, and the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition. We report on the activities of the Transforming Justice Project funded by the Public Welfare Foundation. La Cucaracha News continues to cover all aspects of the legal system.

Voted down

Resolution supporting immigrants, state laws on I.C.E., rejected on 5-2 vote of Pueblo City Council By DENISE TORREZ By a 5 to 2 margin, Pueblo City Council voted down a resolution that called for acknowledging  the city’s support for immigrant residents and reaffirming the City’s commitment to comply with Colorado laws that govern local cooperation… Continue reading Voted down

 Racial Profiling & ICE

Richard & Margaret Medina

A modern echo of old injustice By NATASHA GUTIERREZ — GUEST COLUMNIST PUEBLO — Fear and injustice doesn’t always arrive with flashing lights. Sometimes it shows up in quiet ways — like when a family chooses not to leave home for groceries because they’re afraid the color of their skin will make them a target. … Continue reading  Racial Profiling & ICE

Ice Age

What’s going on between Pueblo Airport and Ice? By J. Castaña Thankfully the answer is ‘not much yet’—but that might change.  Last month, the City of Pueblo’s Director of Aviation Greg Pedroza emailed to the city administration of Walsenburg. He asked about contact information for Immigrations and Custom Enforcement (ICE), apparently hoping to set up… Continue reading Ice Age

CULTURES CLASH 

Indigenous Peoples Day protestors.

By JUAN ESPINOSA PUEBLO — Indigenous Peoples Day and Columbus Day celebrations clashed again this year at the foot of a statue honoring the founder of colonialism. For the past 33 years, elements of the Italian community and the Chicano/Indigenous people have squared off behind police barricades exchanging insults and in the most recent years trying… Continue reading CULTURES CLASH 

Retrial of suspect in 2024 Veterans Tavern murder begins

People v. David F. Martinez By JUAN ESPINOSA The retrial of David Frank Martinez for the June 28, 2024, murder of Elaine DeLeon Munoz Masias began Tuesday, Sept. 30, in Pueblo District Court with opening arguments from prosecution and defense lawyers. Martinez’s first trial in July of this year ended with the jury deadlocked 7-5… Continue reading Retrial of suspect in 2024 Veterans Tavern murder begins

When the collateral damage is your Mom

Elaine Janvier (Muñoz) Masias

By JASON MUNOZ-DeLEON Losing my mother to an apparent stray bullet was easily the worst thing I’ve ever experienced. I hear someone say something like… “Now this is just one of these all-too-common tragedies that our society writes off as another tick on the collateral damage counter.” I simply can’t discount this tragedy because it… Continue reading When the collateral damage is your Mom

Book Banning = Erasure of history

The late Rudolfo Anaya's "Bless Me Ultima," is often banned because censors confuse Ultima, the main character who is a curandera, with being a "witch."

By DEBORAH MARTINEZ MARTINEZ, PhD Thinking of book burning brings the picture of Nazi Germany in the 1930s but one could be visualizing the burning of Bless Me, Ultima in 1981, New Mexico, or Colorado in 2010.  Or, according to Charlene Garcia Simms, retired Pueblo librarian, book burning started on this continent with the Spanish… Continue reading Book Banning = Erasure of history

Montour walked the walk, talked the talk and left his mark

Joseph “Eddie” Montour: Sunrise Nov. 6, 1947 — Sunset Aug. 15, 2025 By JUAN ESPINOSA Renaissance man, Joseph “Eddie” Montour, 77, has moved on to the next world. To his community, he was a cultural warrior, leader of the Brown Berets, accomplished orator, artist, war veteran, teacher, counselor, and diplomate who mixed with Nobel Peace… Continue reading Montour walked the walk, talked the talk and left his mark

Mistrial declared in Martinez murder trial

BULLETIN By JUAN ESPINOSA PUEBLO — Jurors in the case told Judge Tim O’Shea, “Further deliberation would not be productive.” “The jury is deadlocked,” O’Shea told the court Thursday afternoon before he declared the trial a mistrial. According to several jurors who agreed to talk, the vote was seven for conviction to five for acquittal.… Continue reading Mistrial declared in Martinez murder trial