La Voz - February 2017

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February 2017 | Vol. 30 Issue 1

San Antonio, Tejas


Contributors

Candice Bernd (Truthout), Chris Hockman, Damon Holotanko, Gloria A. Ramírez, Elva Pérez Treviño

Graciela I. Sánchez

Esperanza Staff

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Conjunto de Nepantleras —Esperanza Board of Directors— Rachel Jennings, Amy Kastely, Jan Olsen, Ana Lucía Ramírez, Gloria A. Ramírez, Rudy Rosales, Tiffany Ross, Lilliana Saldaña, Nadine Saliba, Graciela I. Sánchez, Lillian Stevens • We advocate for a wide variety of social, economic & environmental justice issues. • Opinions expressed in La Voz are not necessarily those of the Esperanza Center.

La Voz de Esperanza is a publication of

Esperanza Peace & Justice Center 922 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX 78212 210.228.0201 • fax 1.877.327.5902 www.esperanzacenter.org Inquiries/Articles can be sent to: lavoz@esperanzacenter.org Articles due by the 8th of each month Policy Statements

* We ask that articles be visionary, progressive, instructive & thoughtful. Submissions must be literate & critical; not sexist, racist, homophobic, violent, or oppressive & may be edited for length. * All letters in response to Esperanza activities or articles in La Voz will be considered for publication. Letters with intent to slander individuals or groups will not be published.

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LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • February 2017 Vol. 30 Issue 1•

Imelda Arismendez, Elizandro Carrington, Paty de la Garza, Jessica González, Eliza Pérez, Natalie Rodríguez, Gianna Rendón, Natalie Rodríguez, René Saenz, Susana Segura, Amelia Valdez

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Esperanza Director

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La Voz Mail Collective

Dudley Brooks, Mario Carbajal, Irasema Cavazos, Olga Crespin, Tim Davis, Sara DeTurk, Eliza Díaz, Juan Díaz, Bertha DíazGonzález, Ray Garza, Rosa Guia, Araceli Herrera, Eric Hoseck, Rachel Jennings, Gloria Lozano, Angelita Merla, Blanca Rivera, Mary Agnes Rodríguez, Guadalupe Segura, Roger Singler, D.L. Stokes, Cynthia Szunyg, Sandra Torres, Tomasa Torres, Isabel Velásquez, Helen Villarreal & Lynn Watson (RIP)

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Editor Gloria A. Ramírez Design Elizandro Carrington

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February 2017 vol. 30 Issue 1

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La Voz de Esperanza

The front cover image of this February issue of La Voz celebrates the wisdom we have accumulated in the 30 years of Esperanza’s history. Originally titled, Esperanza, the image is about conocimiento, the knowledge and experience that we gain in life that helps us move forward especially in difficult times such as these. Liliana Wilson, the artist, has been partnering with the Esperanza since we were at the old space at 1305 N. Flores in San Antonio. The first art exhibit Graciela Sánchez, director, brought there was Mujeres y Artistas in November of 1988—a group exhibit with Liliana and other artistas such as Romelia Escamilla, Mary Jane Garza, Marsha Gómez (deceased), Nivia González, Ester Hernández, Kathy Vargas, Terry Ybañez and others. The first major solo exhibition at Esperanza was Liliana’s exhibit, Visiones, in 1991. Liliana is one of several artists who continue to be part of Esperanza’s 30 year history. One of the most rewarding events in Esperanza’s history occurred in 1988—the painting of the Children’s Mural, Imagine All the Children…Our Esperanza. It involved community artists, buena gente of the Esperanza, teachers, children and parents. My favorite images were those drawn by children in Prekinder, Kinder and 1st grade. At the time, I was a first grade teacher at J.T. Brackenridge on the Westside of San Antonio. My favorite piece was from a child in my friend, Mary Caro’s PreK classroom at J.T. The 4 year old drew a green figure surrounded by dots stating his wish for the world: “I wish that candies fall down so everyone can eat and be happy.” Of course, the candies were redrawn by the artists working on the mural but the central figure remained the same. A first grader that I worked with, Melanie, who liked to pull other girls’ hair drew a cute picture of a little girl with long hair sticking out sideways floating amongst bubbles. That’s where the idea of using circles for the mural came from. Each bubble, had some wisdom attached and dreams of a peaceful and just world. Thirty years later, we continue to dream of such a world and will continue to fight for that daily. As we progress through 2017, we hope to honor as many of the artists, writers, buena gente and staff of the Esperanza in our 30 year history as is possible in the pages of La Voz and will continue to review the Esperanza’s 30 year history. If you have any reflections or photos to share of our 30 year history, please send them to lavoz@esperanzacenter.org. Look for details of our upcoming celebration of the Esperanza’s 30th in the March issue of La Voz. In the meantime, as one of the children stated, I wish for rainbos (sic) for everyone! —Gloria A. Ramirez, editor ATTENTION VOZ READERS: If you have a mailing address correction please send it to lavoz@ esperanzacenter.org. If you want to be removed from the La Voz mailing list, for whatever reason, please let us know. La Voz is provided as a courtesy to people on the mailing list of the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. The subscription rate is $35 per year ($100 for institutions). The cost of producing and mailing La Voz has substantially increased and we need your help to keep it afloat. To help, send in your subscriptions, sign up as a monthly donor, or send in a donation to the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. Thank you. -GAR VOZ VISION STATEMENT: La Voz de Esperanza speaks for many individual, progressive voices who are gente-based, multi-visioned and milagro-bound. We are diverse survivors of materialism, racism, misogyny, homophobia, classism, violence, earth-damage, speciesism and cultural and political oppression. We are recapturing the powers of alliance, activism and healthy conflict in order to achieve interdependent economic/ spiritual healing and fuerza. La Voz is a resource for peace, justice, and human rights, providing a forum for criticism, information, education, humor and other creative works. La Voz provokes bold actions in response to local and global problems, with the knowledge that the many risks we take for the earth, our body, and the dignity of all people will result in profound change for the seven generations to come.


Imagine All the Children . . Our Esperanza Editor’s note: The following article by Gloria Ramirez appeared in La Voz de Esperanza in January, 1989. It reviewed the completion of a mural on the wall enclosing the first Esperanza building at 1305 N. Flores. Besides the children’s drawings, the mural included their words and wishes related to the concepts of “peace” and “justice.” If only one U.S. president were to simply use such statements as policies, the world would be a better place for all.

school to show their artistic talents. Initial contacts made with the Community Cultural Arts Organization proved fruitful and a tentative decision was made to work on the mural over the Christmas holidays. Once the plans with the artists were made, teachers were contacted to become involved. Drawings submitted were reviewed by the artists and representatives of the Esperanza set aside possibilities for transferral on to the wall. Quotes explaining the artwork were also set aside. The artwork produced by the children enveloped the themes of peace and justice as presented by individual teachers depending on grade level and age. What does peace and justice mean to children between 5 and 12 years old in San Antonio? From the kindergarten perAlex Rubio, lead artist spective of children in public

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Vincent Valdez working on mural.

Students and Instructors working together

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Imagine all the children that were at the Esperanza the week of December 19 through the 23rd [of 1988]. If you happened to come by that week you feasted your eyes on small bodies everywhere busily painting. And, was all the work they were painting their own? An emphatic, yes!!! One of the items on the Esperanza’s wish list compiled by interested parties attending planning sessions, retreats and board meetings was that of painting a mural on the outer walls of the Esperanza Center. In recent months the board decided that the mural ought to encompass artwork from elementary school children who are given fewer opportunities in

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Esperanza’s Foundation Years

painting of the mural inviting his friend, Vincent Valdez, along. Felice García lent us BBQ pits for the BBQers: Alex Aguilar, Jorge Piña, Alfredo, Franco Ontiveros (RIP), Jorge Sandoval and Arturo Rodríguez. In the kitchen (como siempre) were Isabel, Enrique, Gustavo and Bernard of the Sánchez family along with Donny and Ofelia and others. Runners included Isabeth Hardy, Irene Rodríguez, Lorna Klokkenga and Peetie. Various establishments donated food, drinks, and photography. Food donations were facilitated by Javier Sánchez, Mike de la Garza, Regina Chaffin, JJAmaro, Chris Hill, and Hector Cantú. Lillie Rodolfo of the San Antonio Light coordinated media. Volunteers who worked with children and teens on the mural and at the celebration included Greg Arnold, Alicia, Angela, Amparo, and Sara as well as Lucha and Quirino Escamilla, Joanna Yasmin Codina (at far right) with friends at the fountain. Craycraft, Julián

Imagine All the Children . . Our Esperanza oL ve everybody

rowed the concept to ending the fighting between the Russians (Soviets) and the Americans resulting in some very patriotic works. Others simply stated, “I wish people would not fight and be happy” showing scenes of violence in their neighborhoods. Other explanations of peace included being in a loving state, not fighting. Justice was a more abstract term and hard to visualize. One class, though, did portray justice as scenes from The People’s Court showing different court scenes. In asking children to portray their wishes for the world or their concepts of peace and justice, the children did come up

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schools the ideas were simply put: “I am in peace when I am playing” showed a picture of children on a playground sliding and jumping rope. Another child stated: “We are sharing a bag of Fritos”. Still another said, “We found a ball, a stick, and a barrette and shared the ball, the stick and the barrette.” Wouldn’t it be easy if we simply saw the ideas of peace and justice in terms of giving, enjoying ourselves with others, and looking for things (resources) we can share. Older children who tried to grasp the idea of peace (not “piece” as in a “piece of cake” or “peas” as in “those little green things you eat”) nar-

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The children’s mural, Imagine All the Children…Our Esperanza was unveiled at the Esperanza’s 2nd anniversary celebration on January 22, 1989. The mural and celebration was a massive effort that included many people. The coordinating committee included Elsa and Julio Noboa, Irma Cardona, Jane Tuck, Leticia Sánchez, Girls from J.T. Brackenridge take a break from painting. Georgia Ruiz, Sylbia Garza, Judy Wade, Gloria Ramírez and Carol Rodríguez. Alicia Martínez, David González and Ruth Young helped set up the exhibit indoors obtaining panels to exhibit the children’s drawings. Food for the event was provided through the efforts of volunteers coordinated by Chayo Zaldivar whose son participated in the

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Children set the path at 1305 N. Flores


Sánchez, Jennifer Smith, Verónica López and Jane Gaytán. Magdalena Alvarado connected us to the YWCA, Madrid Center. Other key volunteers were Irene Schoch, Karen Sauer, and Ron Dodson. Raffle prizes were donated by Nivia González (who just donated posters to the Esperanza’s tiendita), Kim Iberg, Viva Bookstore, The Red Balloon, Kiddie Park, Santikos Theatres, Northern Hills Gym and the Anti-Hunger Committee. The success of the Children’s mural and 2nd Anniversary celebration set the standard for future events at the Esperanza that continue to this day. Our gratitude to all who were part of this very special event. Joanne Penuelaz & Irene Schoch with Choco Leandro behind

Elsa Noboa, Laura Codina, Ruby Nelda Pérez & Romelia Escamilla celebrate

MujerCanto, giving voice to women

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the original drawings displayed inside the building on Sunday, January 22, 1989 when the Esperanza celebrated its 2nd anniversary. There was not any sort of competition among children in developing the drawings or the mural. It was all done in a cooperative spirit and enjoyment was had by all. In recent years, the mural was painted over and no longer exists at the 1305 N. Flores location that now houses, RAICES.

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with interesting ideas. The themes they touch on include housing, hunger, nuclear war, environmental protection, family, love, friendship, sharing and playing. These concepts were usually stated simply: “I wish for candies to fall so everyone can eat and be happy.” I wish for rainbos (sic) for everybody.”, or “I wish the world do not play war.” In other cases the artwork itself sends across the message of peace or justice. Editor’s note: The children’s artwork and their thoughts on peace and justice were showcased on the mural outdoors with

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Anne Feeney sings at the 1st Mujercanto. Magda McChesney looks back.

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The celebration of the Esperanza’s 2nd anniversary had built upon the 1st anniversary celebration and set the stage for events like the lesbian and gay arts shows and the Peace Market that begin later in 1989. The Mujercanto Series began in 1991 also modeling itself on the 2nd anniversary celebration. The early programming that begin at 1305 N. Flores set the path for Esperanza’s successful programming today. Stay tuned for more on Mujercanto in the next issue of La Voz de Esperanza.

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Trans Rights and Documentation After the Election

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By Damon Holotanko

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As a transgender person, the election of Donald Trump has left myself and thousands of others feeling hopeless and fearful, as the incoming administration stands to endanger our already vulnerable community. The trans population faces enormous rates of violence, unemployment, and suicide, making any threat to the few civil rights protections gained in recent years devastating. To combat the distress felt by so many, the trans community and its allies are responding with resilience and solidarity, offering emotional, legal, and financial support in preparation for a Trump presidency. When the results of the election were announced, my partner and I cried in our living room. I called an LGBTQ crisis hotline in a moment of despair, and was put on hold for 20 minutes due to the number of callers following the election. The counselor told me they were understaffed and struggling to support the influx of people, especially trans youth, who felt they had lost their last bit of hope. In the uphill battle for trans liberation, it felt like the mountain we were climbing had gotten that much taller. Around me, trans loved ones wept, panicked, and retreated into their homes out of fear that transphobic violence, already so widespread, would increase. In my hometown in Florida, a trans queer couple were harassed by an emboldened Trump supporter, who nearly ran them down in his truck. My partner, who works with trans and queer students of color, struggled to support the many teenagers who were now afraid to come to school, or even go outside. While violence against the marginalized is nothing new, the rise in hate crimes following the election brought heightened terror to vulnerable communities. To better understand the challenges facing trans people, we can look to the results of the 2015 U.S. Tran Survey (USTS), the

largest survey of trans experiences ever recorded at the national level. The results, published this past December, are disheartening: Nearly half of trans people polled have attempted suicide, which is almost nine times the rate of the general population. Half of trans people have experienced sexual violence and verbal harassment, and one in ten have been physically attacked because of their gender identity. Financially, one-quarter of trans people have been fired or denied a job because of their identity, with onethird experiencing homelessness at some point in their lives. In such an at-risk community, any new barriers in the struggle towards equity can be devastating. One of the biggest sources of affirmation for trans people comes from changing one’s legal name and gender marker to match their identity. According to the USTS, more than twothirds of trans people have not had their names and identification updated. Trans people who have not updated these documents are at increased risk of violence, as they are often “outed” as trans in public spaces. Because of the emotional toll of being misgendered on a daily basis, the risk of suicide also rises dramatically. While Donald Trump has not given an official stance on trans issues, his running mate, Mike Pence, is known for supporting oppressive anti-LGBTQ measures. Trump’s cabinet as a whole, as well as the Republican-controlled House and Senate, has a history of opposing civil rights. Since the election, trans people have been scrambling to update their identification, should Trump introduce legislation to make this process more difficult. Of particular concern are passports, which fall under federal jurisdiction and would be the most likely to face changes under his administration. Using the hashtag #TransLawHelp, trans people and allies have taken to


Twitter to offer free legal counseling and financial assistance to those looking to update their passports. The Twitter campaign has led to the creation of a website, TransLawHelp.org, where trans people are matched with a donor to help fund their documentation changes. For more information on changing legal names, passports, driver’s licenses, immigration documents, and birth certificates, the National Center for Transgender Equality (TransEquality. org) maintains a database of each state’s policies. To change one’s name and gender marker in the state of Texas, an applicant must petition the court. However, these requests may be denied, as state judges are inconsistent in their handling of trans documentation issues. While it’s impossible to tell whether trans documentation laws will change under Trump, taking this step For more information on this topic or to contribute to the Go Fund Me campaign to purchase passports, please follow these links

may bring much-needed peace of mind to trans people in the wake of his presidency. Months after the initial hopelessness, I felt following the election, I have found renewed strength in my loved ones, and even strangers, who also inhabit marginalized identities. I’ve reached out to trans friends who I had been neglecting, and we reaffirmed our support for each other. We check in more often now, even if it’s a simple text or email. I’ve gotten more involved in my community, which has reminded me of the strength that exists among vulnerable groups. As trans people, we can take comfort in our resilience; we have survived so much and will continue to do so. Moving forward, I would like to urge my fellow white people, trans and cis alike, to commit themselves to the struggle for racial justice. With all the challenges that lie ahead for the trans community, it is the multiplymarginalized, especially trans women of color, who will be most affected by anti-LGBTQ legislation in the coming years. We must support our trans siblings of color emotionally, and when possible, financially, to compensate for workplace discrimination. We must talk to other white people about racism, and get involved in local organizations that are fighting for racial equity. In doing so, we will foster a community that is resilient and unified, which no president can truly wound. Bio: Damon Holotanko is a trans, queer writer and activist studying at Arizona State University who likes to tell trans stories (real and fictional) and advocates for mental health awareness.

National Center for Transgender Equality 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey http://www.ustranssurvey.org Ouija Hadid’s Go Fund Me Passport Fund Campaign http://bit.ly/trans_gofundme

Lynn Marie Watson Lynn Marie Watson, born August 18, 1959, passed away unexpectedly on January 8 at home in San Antonio. Together with her husband Sheldon, she built a house and had many adventures with their children, Lee and Sarah, joined by Samheet of Lee’s marriage. A kind, generous spirit, she was accepting of all and caring for each. The Esperanza Center was lucky to have had Lynn’s constant care throughout the fall, spring and winter of 2016. She made a great difference in preparing for events, calling buena gente and assisting with exhibits and special projects such as the tapete that was designed for Dia de los muertos. She was indispensable and will be greatly missed. RIP, Lynn.

Gente

Sam Rodríguez Sam Rodríguez, buena gente of the Esperanza, was tragically struck by a car in his beloved Westside. He died on the 2nd day of the New Year. Sam was active with community organizations: San Anto Cultural Arts Center, the Esperanza and Inner City Development. He graduated from San Antonio Technical and Vocational School in 1961, now Fox Tech. Sam was a veteran of barrio warfare and Vietnam and had many stories to tell. He developed an addiction while serving that never let him live a full life. Nevertheless, he was beloved by family, friends and spent his days trying to make the Westside a better place to live by simply picking up trash or being part of Esperanza’s Westside programming. Rest in power, querido Sam.

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Lockdown at Trans-Pecos Pipeline Site in West Texas Consecrates New IndigenousLed Resistance Camp

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Tuesday, January 10, 2017 By Candice Bernd, Truthout | www.truth-out.org Reprinted with permission.

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An Indigenous Water Protector and an Alpine, Texas, resident land from were arrested Saturday morning [1/17] after locking themselves people. It’s to pipe-laying equipment at an Energy Transfer Partner (ETP) not right that easement and work site in Presidio County, Texas. The lockdown they’re able to temporarily halted construction on the company’s 143-mile run these pipelines, Trans-Pecos pipeline that, if completed, would carry 1.4 billion contaminate the water cubic feet of fracked gas from West Texas to Mexico every day. with their fracking. It’s not right that they The action was the first to be organized by a new Indigenousdon’t care about the people.” led prayer and resistance camp on private land in far west Texas’ The high-pressure Trans-Pecos pipeline is already close pristine Big Bend region. The camp is acting in solidarity with the to completion and is billed to run from Coyanosa, Texas to Sacred Stone and Oceti Sakowin camps’ historic standoff against the border near Presidio, Texas -- cutting right through the the Dakota Access pipeline at the Standing Rock Sioux reservaheart of the Big Bend area’s ecologically sensitive Chihuation in North Dakota. The same Dallas-based company is behind huan desert bioregion, a place that is both breathtakingly both the Trans-Pecos and Dakota Access pipelines. serene and extremely remote. The region is one of the only Jakki Hagans and Mark Glover, the two Water Protectors areas of the state that has, until now, remained unadulterated arrested Saturday, have been by oil and gas infrastructure. working to organize the “Two Mexican billionaire Carlos Rivers” or “La Junta de Los Slim, who was the world’s Rios” camp as members of richest man from 2010 to 2013, the Society of Native Naand ETP CEO, Kelcy Warren, tions (SNN) and the Big Bend head the pipeline project. Defense Coalition (BBDC), Saturday’s lockdown is not respectively, during the last the first direct action to target several weeks. They were each the Trans-Pecos pipeline. On charged with trespassing and December 6, three Alpine resireleased on $250 bonds that dents with the BBDC chained same afternoon. themselves to the entrance “It isn’t right what [ETP] is gates of an ETP construcdoing,” Hagans, who is Chero- Frankie Orona with the Society of Native Nations speaks with Truthout as an tion site, halting work on the Indigenous Water Protector and an Alpine, Texas, resident lock themselves kee, told Truthout as she sat, pipeline. That was before the to pipe-laying equipment, temporarily shutting the site down, Saturday, locked to a sideboom (a maTwo Rivers camp was up and January 7, 2017. (Photo: Garrett Graham) chine used to lay pipe) during running, and this weekend’s the frigid morning hours on January 7 before police arrested action consecrates the aims and ambitions of the new camp, her and Glover. “It isn’t right that they’re able to take the whose elders facilitated a prayer ceremony before Saturday


Energy Transfer Partners’ easement for the Trans-Pecos pipeline has left a 150-foot wide scar across 146 miles of the pristine Big Bend landscape. (Photo: Garrett Graham)

glass beads once heavily traded along the trails. ETP claims to have adjusted its construction route to avoid disturbing the artifacts after its own archeologist recommended the site be avoided. However, Keller said that ETP has only tested for cultural relics one foot beneath the topsoil even though many artifacts in the area of the floodplain of the Rio Grande are at least three feet beneath the surface. The Trap Spring site’s State Archaeological Landmark status was pending at the time ETP set its bulldozers to it. The Two Rivers Water Protectors are also fighting for state and federal recognition of Texas tribes. The state of Texas has only recognized two tribes, the Lipan Apache and the Texas Band of Yaqui Indians, and many unrecognized tribes don’t have access to legal protections for Indigenous remains and artifacts that also mandate consultation with tribes, such as the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and section 106 of the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act. Those protections only apply to federally recognized tribes and/or federal agencies or projects dealing with federal funds, permits, licenses or lands. Only three federally recognized tribes reside in the state -- a reflection of the history of federal and state extermination campaigns, family separation, and forced relocation and assimilation. Two Rivers Indigenous Water Protectors also oppose ETP’s other pipeline project that will carry fracked gas to Mexico. Even the project’s name is racist: ETP’s “Comanche Trail” pipeline takes its label from the Comanche Nation who were forcibly removed from Texas in the aftermath of the Comanche Wars. During the conflicts, the tribe used the Comanche Trail that crossed West Texas through the Big Bend region. The Two Rivers camp’s Indigenous-led resistance is taking shape in Texas’ border region, and is about a 40-minute drive from a Homeland Security border checkpoint. Resistance around the “Comanche Trail” pipeline is responding to a unique set of political circumstances, since the federal government itself appears cautious about plans for the pipeline. Two Rivers Water Protectors say the border reveals the federal government’s priorities when it comes to regulating pipelines, noting that while the federal government easily greenlit ETP’s pipelines to cross major waterways like the Rio Grande and the Missouri River (before historic Indigenous resistance), it showed more hesitation regarding ETP’s plan to

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morning’s lockdown and regularly led sacred practices at the Two Rivers camp. A second camp in Alpine, Texas, is also supporting the Water Protectors. In fact, Two Rivers’ elders and Water Protectors are working directly with Indigenous leaders at Standing Rock. An Indigenous Environmental Network delegation from Standing Rock is planning to meet with Indigenous Water Protectors at the Two Rivers camp this week to engage in prayer and ceremony, and to provide additional training to the camp’s new Protectors as they anticipate dozens more will flock to the camp in the coming weeks. “Many of us went out there to Cannon Ball to show that support and that solidarity, and if anything, the biggest teaching we got out of there was the power of unity -- and that’s what we need here,” said SNN Executive Director, Frankie Orona, who is Borrado of Texas and Tongva, Chumash of California. “This is what we need now. This is what we need in Texas -- is that power in unity. So we need our people to come together from all different states.” The land the pipeline has horrifically scarred is Lipan Apache and Conchos territory, and the Native Water Protectors organizing the Two Rivers camp say they are protecting their sacred sites in much the same way Standing Rock’s Water Protectors are. Truthout has previously reported that many such sacred sites, including potentially Indigenous burial sites, have already been destroyed or are threatened. Alpine archaeologist and member of the Big Bend Conservation Alliance, David Keller, told Truthout he witnessed ETP’s bulldozers in September grinding through an 18-acre area on private land in Brewster County surrounding a desert watering hole, called Trap Spring. The site is home to artifacts from the Late Archaic period, including at least 10 bedrock mortars, seven robust ring middens -- what Keller calls “earth ovens,” dating back more than 5,000 years -- seven prehistoric hearths and two stone enclosures believed to have been used for wikiups or tipis. The site is rare in the region due to its particular historical significance, according to Keller. The site was once part of a larger formation of spring vents along the eastern front of the Davis Mountains, and is situated along an ancient trail network stretching from Mexico up through Leon Springs in Fort Stockton, Texas, and on farther north. It contains arrowheads and

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route the Comanche Trail pipeline under the border fence and azo” protests and blockades over a 20 percent hike in state-set fuel under the federally-owned Franklin Canal, filing an injunction to prices are heating up, the reality is that the gas would be shipped halt construction on the pipeline in November, and filing another overseas to Japan, where officials are looking to shut down nuclear motion to ensure the Department of Homeland Security has an power plants and replace that energy supply with fracked gas after opportunity to review ETP’s route. the Fukushima disaster. The primary financial backers of the pipeHowever, Two Rivers Water Protectors emphasize that the line include the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and the Sumitomo MitUS/Mexico border has little relevance, when it comes to their sui Banking Corporation in Japan, according to industry reports. sacred sites and sacred lands. Beyond the pipeline, Two Rivers Water Protectors say they hope “A lot of the lands that [ETP] is going through are sacred sites they can galvanize a larger resistance to the development of the of Indigenous people from this land on both sides of the border. recently discovered Wolfcamp shale fieldin West Texas, the largest That border didn’t always exist. This land was very sacred to them, shale field ever assessed in the US. The shale contains 20 billion very important to them. barrels of oil and 16 trillion There’s burial grounds evcubic feet of natural gas. erywhere, there’s places they That resistance is already lived, as they moved and taking shape with another transitioned throughout this camp in Toyahvale, Texas, land,” Orona told Truthout. which formed concurrently Kiani Naranjo, another with the Two Rivers camp. Two Rivers Water ProtecThe city is home to the locally tor who descends from the known and loved spring of Lenca people of El SalBalmorhea State Park, and vador, agrees. “This land hopes to stop the development was originally part of the of the nearby shale fields by Americas before colonizathe Apache Corporation. The tion, so before there was Houston-based company anborders and before we were Indigenous Water Protectors occupy a segment of the Trans-Pecos pipe, January 7, 2017. nounced last fall that it could separate countries, it was drill up to 3,000 wells over the (Photo: Garrett Graham) all one land that belonged next two decades. to the Indigenous people of the Americas, which is my ancestors “Because of [Texas] laws that protect people buying mineral and my future descendants, hopefully, and the ancestors of all my rights, [oil and gas companies] are going to be able to do whatever brothers and sisters that are here,” she said. they want, and I’m not sure how people are going to be able to stop The Water Protectors and their allies want full environmental the fracking other than criminal trespassing -- getting on them, getassessments on the entire length of both pipeline projects, not just for ting in the way,” said Lori Glover, who was arrested representing the areas that would be crossing the border. Opponents of the Transthe BBDC during the December 6 lockdown. “There’s really just Pecos pipeline have been pushing for such a review for some time. not much out there to support what the community wants to do to As Truthout has previously reported, the fight against the protect the environment, to protect our lives.” Trans-Pecos pipeline has been ongoing for more than two years. As the oil and gas industry continues to cement its dominance Throughout that time, conservationists, landowners and area over the legal and regulatory process in Republican-dominated stateresidents have filed hundreds of comments with the Federal houses -- as well as federally, under an incoming Trump administraEnergy Regulatory Commission, which is tasked with regulating tion -- actions like Glover’s have become all the more necessary. a portion of pipeline slated to cross under the Rio Grande. The Meanwhile, Indigenous organizers are pointing to the struggle Two Rivers Water Protectors fear the Rio Grande may become around the Trans-Pecos pipeline as part of a larger movement, contaminated and they requested that the agency conduct an carrying on the work of Water Protectors at Standing Rock. environmental review of the pipeline, but the request was denied “What happened in Cannon Ball ... sparked a movement,” last May. Moreover, landowners have banded together to oppose Orona said. “It’s up to the rest of us, and all the other surrounding the company’s use of eminent domain, filing several suits against communities and surrounding issues that involve the destruction ETP over condemnations of their property. of our Earth; it’s up to us to try our very best to continue that moNow, with all institutional avenues for halting the pipeline mentum in our own communities -- and that’s what we’re doing.” exhausted, BBDC is linking up with SNN to use nonviolent direct Copyright, Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission. action tactics, similar to the way in which East Texas landowners linked up with environmental organizers to resist the southern leg Bio: Candice Bernd is an editor/staff reporter at Truthout. She of the Keystone XL pipeline in 2011 and 2012 after pulling every is working with her partner on a documentary, Don’t Frack With institutional lever they could without success. Like the Keystone Denton, chronicling how her hometown became the first city to XL, the Trans-Pecos pipeline is primarily an export pipeline, ban fracking in Texas, but was subsequently overturned in the making ETP’s claims that they have condemned landowners’ state legislature. She was recently honored with the Dallas Peace property for “public use” fraudulent. (TransCanada, the corporaand Justice Center’s “Media Peacemaker of the Year” award. tion behind the Keystone XL pipeline, made similar claims in Follow her on Twitter: @CandiceBernd. relation to condemnations.) As Truthout has reported, while ETP and Carlos Slim have said Note: This reprint does not include all photos in the original the fracked gas is intended for Mexico, where furious “gasolinarticle. To see the original article go to: http://bit.ly/Trans-Pecos


The Death Penalty Another Year of Justice Inequality Begins

ing to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice African-Americans comprise 44% of death row inmates, this is despite being less than 13% of the population of Texas. On top of that 80% of death sentences in Texas have been imposed on people of color. Another great reason for abolishing the death penalty is the inability of a flawed system to provide perfect answers. Since 1973, 156 inmates have been released from death row after being exonerated of their crimes, 13 of them from Texas. The death penalty is the only penalty that cannot be repaired if the state has made a mistake in the conviction. Furthermore the death penalty is not cost effective according to a study conducted by the Dallas Morning News. That study found that the average cost of the death penalty is nearly three times higher than imposing a life sentence at a maximum security facility. Often the death penalty is held up as a prime example of deterrence, but this, also, does not stand up to further scrutiny. The FBI Uniform Crime Report shows time and time again that the South, which accounts for 80% of executions, has the highest murder rate in the country. The death penalty fails as a deterrent. Despite all this there are phenomenal positives in Texas, since 1999 new death sentences have dropped by nearly 80%, with most of those convictions coming from just seven counties. Our Bexar County has also been positive, seeing a marked decrease in death sentences. The eighth amendment prohibits the inflicting of ‘cruel and unusual punishments’, the hope is that it would be plain that killing someone is the very definition of ‘cruel’. The other bright side is that it is becoming increasingly unusual. That prompted Justice Stephen Breyer to comment in his dissent in the Glossip v. Gross case, that the death penalty is unusual because “most places within the United States have abandoned its use.” “30 States have either formally abolished the death penalty or have not conducted an execution in more than eight years.” Progress is coming, even in Texas—the death penalty’s days are numbered.

LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • Dec 2016 | Jan 2017 Vol. 29 Issue 10

On Wednesday, January 11, 2017, Texas executed its first inmate of the year, and the first of the country. It came after an astonishing 4 months without an execution in one of the deadliest states for criminals in the United States. The unlucky man was Christopher Wilkins, executed for his crimes committed in 2005, for which he confessed. Despite that confession, which showed a desire to save the state of Texas money on a needless trial, the state still set about condemning the man. It was also on January 11, 2017, that seven souls met outside Travis Park United Methodist Church in San Antonio and joined in a vigil in support of abolishing the death penalty. Appropriately, it came the day after Dylan Roof was sentenced to death in Charleston, South Carolina. As always, there are always encouraging discussions. “I understand,” said one man passing by, “but what are you supposed to do with these people?” And the response back from one of the attendees was quick, “that is what prison is for.” There is no doubt that Roof is filled with hate, and yet, not even Roof is deserving of death, in fact he is not worth our time. What seeking the death penalty against Roof did was give him a significant platform to spew his hateful words, and will give him several more opportunities over the coming decades as he will no doubt appeal. All of this could have been avoided had the state have made a deal of life in prison and skipped this whole trial show. People have argued that it is the death penalty that brings peace, that only by killing these terrible people can we have true peace. But tell that to the man who was interviewed after the trial about his family member’s murder and could only remark that he “cries every single time someone mentions the shooting.” It is certainly not peace for him, or for the countless other victims that have had to relive the horrible event time and time again through trial after trial. Abolishing the death penalty does not excuse the crimes that these individuals have committed, but rather it looks for a new way forward. The way forward involves peace, peace for victims, peace for families, but it also allows for peace for those convicted. By providing the ability to rehabilitate and grow, true peace will be achieved. If the idea of peace is not enough to convince the need to abolish the death penalty, there is also the phenomenal racial disparity of death sentences. Accord-

by Chris Hockman

Bio: Chris Hockman is a freelance journalist, originally from Australia who is now living in San Antonio. Chris is the organizer of the San Antonio branch of The Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.

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A Curious Transition

LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • February 2017 Vol. 30 Issue 1•

by Elva Pérez Treviño

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As a country we are undergoing a curious transition in time and history. What we experience under a Trump Presidency, what we do in response, and how we choose to react and take action against this Celebrity Apprentice Presidency will determine the kind of world we will grow old in, the kind of world we will strive to live in. Citizens, we are going to need to put up a fierce fight. Trump ran for president under the most anti-democratic terms. He continues to attack the media as fake news so that he feeds the “American distrust” of anything they read or hear about him, and he continues to appeal to the most racist divisiveness that is leading to a divided country. These times of transition do not scare me; make me dread the future, nor fear for my physical safety. The end result of the American history created by the people living and breathing, and acting around me during the growing period between childhood to adulthood, culminated in the election of President Barrack Obama, the first “Black President”. Afterwards, American society liked to imagine itself a “post-racial” society, which no longer needed to worry about skin color. Many thought we were some type of freer society that had achieved a major political goal. These same people remained uncomfortably silent about the truth of the matter—that because we had elected a black president, the consequence was a divided government. The Republican Party paralyzed our government by refusing to cooperate on most everything. They were not a loyal opposition presenting a different political view that was once a major influence on public policy; under the Obama presidency that was no longer effective. The establishment Republicans wanted to control how the American community, in all its inclusive diversity achieved through political street fights, integrated this change into itself. Instead, they allowed racism to resurface in the normal discourse of their disrespecting President Obama. We saw the Republican party veer towards a nativist xenophobia against all foreigners and we saw their continued economic attack on the poor and a continued failed policy of divestiture of the infrastructure of this country: We saw the starving of America and we saw the thieving of the US treasury. We saw the biggest wealth transfer from the poor and working class to the wealthy. We saw companies sold and we saw jobs shipped overseas or cheap labor imported—and we saw international job agreements that put union jobs at risk. When the working class cried out, the Democratic Party failed at all levels. Hence the Democratic Party came to be

Note: The flag flys upsidedown not as a sign of disrespect but in accordance to THE UNITED STATES FLAG CODE. Title 4, Chapter 1. § 8(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

the bankrupt party that led to the likes of Wendy Wasserman Schultz and people of her ilk that manipulated, connived and conspired to promote the likes of Hilary Clinton as a much better mainstream choice for President. The Democratic Party steered the party energy towards nominating “the first woman president” and focused on nothing else. It chose to completely ignore the fact that Hilary conducted herself as Secretary of State in an unconstitutional manner when using a private Internet server to keep her activities outside public scrutiny and government oversight. It dismissed as unimportant the odd use of the Clinton foundation and the funds it raised. It was in denial and did not want to accept that Mrs. Clinton was perceived to be a criminal, liar and thief by a large segment of the electorate who also thought her elitist and sanctimonious. And now we have Donald Trump as President of the United States—a celebrity apprentice President that is the epitome of a walking “rich white man with white skin privilege” whose sense of kingly entitlement allows him to behave as if the rules of government and the U.S. Constitution do not apply to him. He ran a racist platform establishing a base among white people whose very identity and existence is threaten by all the diversity with which they suddenly find themselves surrounded. Because of Trump we are now a divided country along racial and ideological lines. And, we have a government in place that seems far to willing to cede to his theatrics: the last gasps of a dying regime of old white men still trying to stay in total control of the world. His cynical domestic agenda is well advertised. His cabinet nominees say it all: As U.S. Secretary of Treasury, Trump chose a man who helped create the housing crisis, is accused of running a foreclosure machine and participated in discriminatory lending practice; as Secretary of Labor, he chose a fast food CEO who is against a minimum wage increase and sick leave; as Secretary of Education his choice is a woman wanting to dismantle public education; as Secretary of Commerce a man who flips bankrupt companies for profits and ships jobs and factories overseas; as U.S. Attorney General, a Klux Klan supporter who is anti-immigrant and a once leading proponent to repeal the 14th Amendment to the U.S. constitution, the one guaranteeing “equal protection” and “due process” under the law; as Secretary of Health and Human Services Trump chose a man heavily invested in pharmaceutical stocks. And the list goes on… He has militarized a civilian government and its foreign policy: naming Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, (Ret.) for National Security Advisor who seems to suffer from ex-


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Who responded to our end-of-year appeal. Your donations keep our programming viable for another year. (Other donors to be named) ¡Mil gracias del corazón! Heartfelt thanks! H. Douglas & Jurene N. Steadman Hector & Delia Cárdenas Horace G. & Zaline Roy Campbell J. Bryce & Mary Milligan J. Daniel Oppenheimer Jan Davis Jane W. & Charles W. Tuck Jason Horn Jim Spickard & Meredith McGuire Joanne Friese John Cepek Jonathan Robertson José Hernández José M. Hernández José Rodríguez Joseph L. & Carmen Boudreau Julio & Estela Gonzáles Karen Sosby Kevin & June Hartley Laura Burt Laura Butterfield Lee G. Morales Leonard Dee Lusk Leslie Cagan Linda Pritchard Linda S. Combs Lindsey Zuniga Liz Helenchild Manuel & Maria Berriozábal Margaret Casillas Maria L. DeLeón Marilyn Wallner Mark Hideman Mark R. Day Mary Esther Escobedo Mary Esther Huerta Mary Lennon Mary Lou & Jerry Ramírez

treme Islamophobia; Gen. James Mattis, (Ret.) as Secretary of Defense who believes in bombing private Iraqi civilian weddings and is a suspected war criminal in Iraq; and General John Kelly, (Ret.) as Homeland Security Secretary who believes the US-Mexican border is the biggest security risk to the USA. Anticipate the complete militarization of the USMexican border including possible military scrimmages. Going forward: We should fight this administration’s refusal to deal with Trump’s nepotism problems, his conflict of interest between his business empire and role as president, as well as the many conflicts of his billionaire cabinet members.

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And special donations from: Amy & Graciela, in memory of María Duarte Tafolla & Virginia Ramón Cantú Dale Lasater, in memory of Michael Ingraham Jacqueline Wright & Tracy McMarin, in honor of Michael Ingraham Darlene M. Clements, in memory of John Murnin Sister J.T Dwyer, in honor of Ellen McRedmond Gail & Marc Raney, in honor of Dr. Madrid’s retirement Anonymous donation in memory of Sister Patrice Sullivan Amy & Graciela, in memory of Rosalinda E. Elizondo Esperanza staff, in memory of Sam Rodríguez Esperanza staff, in memory of Lynn Watson Leticia Rodríguez, in memory of Tina Garza Moore Nickolas Nowak, in the name of my sister, Leigh Baldwin Letitia Gomez, in honor of Gloria Ramirez’ birthday

We should also focus on FBI Director, James Comey’s suspicious activities supposedly aiding the Russian Government’s influence in internal US politics. We should investigate the latter thoroughly and a keep an ojo de chícharo—a sharp eye out, on all aspects of this celebrity apprentice president who in his rhetoric has released horrible chilling tendencies that can destroy our country’s constitutionally-based government. It is we who will have to save our democracy. Bio: Elva Pérez Treviño, a lawyer, is from and still lives on the Westside of San Antonio.

LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • February 2017 Vol. 30 Issue 1

Alicia Guadiana Adra Lustig Aleza Summit Anastasia Christilles Arturo Madrid & Antonia Castañeda Arturo R. & Mary Hope Morales Aurora Yañez Blanca Ruiz Bob Romo C. Michael Donoghue Carlos Hugo Castañeda Carol Coston & Elise García Catalina E. García Catherine Wall Celia Pérez-Booth Charles Keller Consuelo Martínez Daniel Gonzáles David & Patti Kruse David Peña Jr David Spener Deborah Myers & Nicki Valdez Dennis Oliver Diane Duesterhoeft Dora Arreola Dudley D. Brooks & Tomas Ybarra-Frausto Dwight & LaVonne Platt Edwina M. Scinta Esteban V. Escamilla Estela Cruz Gonzáles Esther García Father Brian Christopher S.T. George Rice Glenn & Manuela Ellison Gloria A. Ramírez Gloria S. Gutiérrez Guillermo & Sonia Chávez

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* community meetings *

Amnesty International #127 For info. call Arthur @ 210.213.5919.

People’s Power Coalition meets last Thursdays | 210.878.6751

Bexar Co. Green Party: Call 210. 471.1791 or bcgp@bexargreens.org

PFLAG, meets 1st Thurs. @ 7pm, University Presbyterian Church 300 Bushnell Ave. | 210.848.7407.

Celebration Circle meets Sun., 11am @ Say Sí, 1518 S. Alamo. Meditation: Weds @7:30pm, Friends Meeting House, 7052 Vandiver. 210.533.6767. DIGNITY SA Mass, 5:30pm, Sun. @ St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1018 E. Grayson St | 210.340.2230 Adult Wellness Support Group of PRIDE Center meets 4th Mon., 7-9 pm @ Lions Field, 2809 Broadway. Call 210.213.5919. Energía Mía: (512) 838-3351 Fuerza Unida, 710 New Laredo Hwy. www.lafuerzaunida.org | 210.927.2294 Habitat for Humanity meets 1st Tues. for volunteers, 6pm, HFHSA Office @ 311 Probandt. LGBTQ LULAC Council #22198 meets 3rd Thursdays @ 6:45pm @ Luby’s on Main. E-mail: info@ lulac22198.org NOW SA Chapter meets 3rd Wed’s. For time and location check FB/satx.now | 210. 802.9068 | nowsaareachapter@ gmail.com

LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • February 2017 Vol. 30 Issue 1•

Pax Christi, SA meets monthly on Saturdays. Call 210.460.8448

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Parents of Murdered Children, meets 2nd Mondays @ Balcones Heights Community Ctr, 107 Glenarm | www. pomcsanantonio.org. Rape Crisis Center 7500 US Hwy 90W. Hotline: 210.349.7273 | 210.521.7273 Email: sgabriel@ rapecrisis.com The Religious Society of Friends meets Sunday @10am @ The Friends Meeting House, 7052 N. Vandiver. | 210.945.8456. S.A. Gender Association meets 1st & 3rd Thursday, 6-9pm @ 611 E. Myrtle, Metropolitan Community Church. SA AIDS Fdn 818 E. Grayson St. offers free Syphilis & HIV testing | 210.225.4715 | www.txsaaf.org.

Give to the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center at your workplace, today! Use the appropriate code: Combined Federal Campaign (Gov’t/military) code: 77773 City of San Antonio: 8022

SA Women Will March: www. sawomenwillmarch.org|(830) 488-7493

Bexar County: 8022

SGI-USA LGBT Buddhists meet 2nd Sat. at 10am @ 7142 San Pedro Ave., Ste 117 | 210.653.7755. Shambhala Buddhist Meditation Tues. 7pm & Sun. 9:30am 257 E. Hildebrand Ave. | 210.222.9303.

Proyecto Hospitalidad Liturgy meets Thurs. 7pm, 325 Courtland.

S.N.A.P. (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests). Contact Barbara at 210.725.8329.

Metropolitan Community Church services & Sunday school @10:30am, 611 East Myrtle. Call 210.472.3597

Voice for Animals: 210.737.3138 or www.voiceforanimals.org

Overeaters Anonymous meets MWF in Spanish & daily in English | www. oasanantonio.org | 210.492.5400.

The United Way Combined Federal Campaign is Here!

SA’s LGBTQA Youth meets Tues., 6:30pm at Univ. Presby. Church, 300 Bushnell Ave. | www.fiesta-youth.org

City/County I.S.D.s: 8022 State of Texas Employee Charitable Campaign: 413013 ¡Todos Somos Esperanza! For more info: call 210.228.0201 or email esperanza esperanzacenter.org

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I would like to volunteer Please use my donation for the Rinconcito de Esperanza


Notas Y Más February 2017

A forum on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and its impact on indigenous identity, immigration and land rights takes place at the Mission Library on February 2nd, 6-8pm, with Antonio Diaz of the Texas Indigenous Council. For more call 210.542.9271 or email indignousway@ gmail.com. The First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio hosts the film, Sin by Silence, a documentary about incarcerated battered women in California and a talk on the history of clemency for them on February 5th, from 12:15 pm to 2pm at the Fellowship Hall, 7150 W. Interstate 10. Dr. Cathy Marston will lead the discussion. See: www.uusat.org The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center has a full slate of programs this month: On February 10th, 7:30-9:30pm, Noche De Romance with the Mariachi Azteca De América, Rhonda García, and Trio Cantares; on February 17th, 2-6 pm, The multiples, Community Exhibition opens and runs through March 31st; and Cine-

Brief news items on upcoming community events. Send items for Notas y Más to: lavoz@esperanzacenter.org or mail to: 922 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX 78212. The deadline is the 8th of each month.

Festival 2017 begins on February 24th @ 8am. It runs through March 4th. Check www.guadalupeculturalarts.org for more. The annual conference of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP), Moving to Higher Ground, takes place Saturday, February 18th at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 301 E 8th St., Austin. Author of Grace & Justice on Death Row: The Race Against Time and Texas to Free an Innocent Man, Brian Stolarz will keynote. See: tcadp.org/ Dr. David Spener, of Trinity University, talks about his book We Shall Not Be Moved/No nos moverán, a history of the protest song on Tuesday, February 21st, 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Central Library. The 2017 NACCS Tejas Foco Regional Conference, “Relational Histories, InterEthnic Alliances: Chican@/x Coalition Politics in Tejas,” will be held at Texas A&M University, College Station on February 23rd-25th. The keynote on February 24th @ 12pm, MSC 2400, fea-

tures UTSA’s Dr. Roelio Saenz speaking on “Demographic & Political Challenges in Turnning Texas Blue.” See: http:// naccstejas2017.wixsite.com/naccs The Texas Observer and The Texas Democracy Foundation will be accepting entries for The MOLLY National Journalism Prize of 2017 through March 17th. The MOLLY Prize is an annual national print or online journalism award of $5,000 with two honorable mentions of $1,000 each in memory of Molly Ivins presented at an awards dinner on June 8, 2017, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin. See: mollyawards@texasobserver.org or call (512) 477-0746 ext 100 for more. Save the date! The 19th Annual Allied Media Conference takes place on June 15-18, 2017 at Wayne State University in Detroit. Visit alliedmedia.org.for more! Poetry aficionados! Tom Keene, a frequent Voz contributor now has a site where his poetry is collected. See www. tomekeenesmuse.com

Maria Duarte Tafolla, mother of our poet laureate and friend, Carmen Tafolla, died on January 12, 2017 at 99 years of age. She was born on a pineapple plantation in Waialua, Hawaii, married a San Antonio sailor, survived Pearl Harbor, saved three lives, fed many visitors and strangers, and voted in every election, including the 2016 Presidential Election. Of her mother, Carmen noted,“I hope I can be half the wonderful shero that she was to me.” The Esperanza and our community offers our heartfelt condolences to Maria’s family and our gratitude to her for her gift of Carmen to our community. Que en Paz Descanse.

Rosa Aurora Guajardo, mother to our friend and ex-councilwoman, Elena Guajardo, passed into spirit on January 7th in San Antonio. Rosa and her husband, Oscar, owned and operated Guajardo’s Grocery and Meat Market in San Antonio She also worked in the community engaging in various public service opportunities and jobs that set an example for her children to follow. A pet lover, Elena asked that donations in her mother’s name be made to San Antonio Pets Alive! The Esperanza extends our sympathies to Elena’s family, friends and community. May she rest in peace.

Virginia Ramón Cantú querida mamá, abuela, y bisabuela fallecio en Laredo, Texas a los 91 años. She was a gold star mother whose love of country matched her love of family—8 daughters, two sons and their families. She was a deeply devout Guadalupana who was preceded in death by her husband, Florentino and son, Florentino, Jr. Virginia, a compassionate and generous spirit, was a role model for all. The Esperanza conveys our most sincere condolences to our queridas amigas, Dr. Norma Elia Cantú and Dr. Elsa Cantú for their loss. Donations in her memory can be made to the Florentino & Virginia Cantú Memorial Scholarship fund via Dr. Elsa Ruiz at cantumemorialscholarship@gmail.com. QEPD

LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • February 2017 Vol. 30 Issue 1

Nuestras Madres, QEPD

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LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • February 2017 Vol. 30 Issue 1

Noche Azul returns in 2017 February 18 @ 8 pm

RompeCorazones songs of heartbreak $7 más o menos

Esperanza, 922 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX

Esperanza’s Tiendita Shop for gifts and textiles open 10-7pm Call 210-228-0201

Esperanza Peace & Justice Center

922 San Pedro San Antonio TX 78212 210.228.0201 • www.esperanzacenter.org

Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID San Antonio, TX Permit #332

Haven’t opened La Voz in a while? Prefer to read it online? Wrong address? TO CANCEL A SUBSCRIPTION EMAIL lavoz@esperanzacenter.org CALL: 210.228.0201

Las Tesoros de San Antonio

Qué Cosa Es El Amor Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017 at 6PM • Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017 at 3PM

Album Release Concert

Esperanza Peace & Justice Center • 922 San Pedro Avenue • San Antonio, TX 78212 $10 pre-sale, $15 at the door For more see www.esperanzacenter.org $ 8 pre-sale for groups of 8 or more

or call 210.228.0201.


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