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Monday, S eptember 26, 2016 | Vo l u m e 1 2 1 | I s s u e 1 2
Gov. Martinez unveils “Route to 66” plan By Johnny Vizcaino @thedailyjohnnyv Governor Susana Martinez on Friday unveiled a new long-term plan which envisions 66 percent of working-age New Mexicans having college degrees by 2030. The curtain on the initiative, coined “Route to 66,” was pulled back during Martinez’s 2nd Annual Higher Education Summit on Friday at Embassy Suites. The idea was conceived at a meeting between the governor’s office and higher-ed stakeholders last month, she said. “With your help, we’re putting it into motion today,” she said. Currently, 43.6 percent of working-age people across the state have college degrees. Martinez took the opportunity to address the progress of goals put forth in last year’s inaugural summit — which was held in the SUB Ballroom — and introduce stakeholders to new initiatives. “A strong higher-education system that graduates students in four years, with degrees that are
Nick Fojud / Daily Lobo / @NFojud
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Governor Susana Martinez speaks during a lecture about new higher education initiatives on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 at the Embassy Suites.
BLM protesters take to Central Ave. By Jonathan Baca @JonGabrielB On Thursday evening, students and activists protesting racism and police brutality flooded into the intersection of Central Avenue and Cornell Drive, carrying signs and banners and blocking traffic for nearly 10 minutes. The protest was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation of New Mexico, and included members of the UNM Kiva Club, the Red Nation and Black Lives Matter. PSL organizer Christopher Banks said the protest was held in response to the most recent cases of police shootings, including the killing of Charlotte, North Carolina man Keith Lamont Scott, which has sparked massive protests and clashes between Charlotte police and protesters. “The epidemic of racist police killings in the United States is really capturing national attention right now, because of all of the videos going viral of these murders,” Banks said. “They make
Daniel Ward / Daily Lobo / @DailyLobo
Black Lives Matter protesters confront a man opposed to them on Central Avenue on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. Demonstrators rallied outside of the UNM Bookstore against recent police shootings.
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the pattern undeniable — systemic, racist criminality directed toward the black, Latino and poor communities.” Banks said the plan was to hold a demonstration outside the UNM Bookstore, but the group had discussed the possibility of blocking traffic “if the people were militant enough.” Similar tactics have been used recently by demonstrators around the country. “The tactic of disrupting traffic, or disrupting business as usual, is a way of putting a spotlight on issues that aren’t getting enough attention,” Banks said. “I believe that in the calculus that organizers are doing, it’s one of the few options left to us, the people, to command control over the mass media.” After organizers called for the demonstrators to fill the intersection, people set up banners at the crosswalks, blocking traffic in all three directions. A diverse group then filled the streets, carrying signs and chanting, “No justice,
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Protest page 3
Follow @WolfTracksPod on Twitter and check out the first official episode of the Wolf Tracks Podcast, where Daily Lobo staff discuss the new freshman living requirement. Follow the @DailyLobo on Twitter and vote in the #PollOfTheDay: Were you surprised by UNM President Bob Frank’s announcement that he will leave the role in May?