Milwaukee Police Officer Paints Over Graffiti Along Chavez Drive Business District

Photo by HNG

Defiant tagger returns 6.5 hours later and resprayed gang insignia graffiti, after police officer covers graffiti earlier in the afternoon

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 31, 2010
Updated

Milwaukee, WI - On Saturday, Milwaukee Police Officer Kuykendall was spotted painting over gang related graffiti in the 1200 block of S. Cesar E. Chavez Dr. He drove by the Chavez Drive Business District and spotted the eye soar gang graffiti, which was sprayed a day before by unkown taggers, good job Milwaukee Police Department.
At least, this officer from the 2nd Police District station can distinguish between gang related graffiti and community base graffiti art created by True Skool Inc. in the South side.
Business operators in the same block reported later at night, that after 9:30 p.m. the tagger came back and resprayed the gang graffiti that Officer Kuyendall had covered with paint 6.5 hours earlier. The tagger must be making sure others and police get the message that a local gang has claimed the area for illicit activity.
On July 9, Alderman Robert G. Donovan from the South side called a spontaneous press-conference and before he could address the media Donovan got into heated words with the coordinator of True Skool Inc. over the difference between mural art and graffiti. Donovan believes such murals are "garbage, this is crab and needs to end" and teaching students about community based graffiti art is a "disservice" to the kids. The mural only encourages destructive forms of graffiti," Donovan said.
An argument the graffiti artists say, is unprofound and Alderman Donovan doesn't know the difference between illegal graffiti and legal art murals.
"Graffiti is on a huge increase in the city of Milwaukee that's the bottom line, and when I see stuff like this, these individuals are doing a disservice to the young people in this community by creating this aura that if you get involved in this illegal activity, somehow you'll become a leader," said Donovan. Ald. Donovan says, he is a member of the city Public Safety Committee and allows him to go into any neighborhood. He is member of the Anti-Graffiti Policy Board.
"There's no dispute that graffiti is an art form. For those who don't see it as an art form, are coming from a different generation. They're from a generation that doesn't understand the culture of hip hop, the culture of graffiti as an art form," said Sarah Patterson, executive director of True Skool.

Mural: Raw Love

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Successor Of El Nacho Coronel-Villareal In The Sinaloa Cartel Killed In Military Assault

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 31, 2010

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico - On Friday, the Mexican Department of Defense (Sedena) confirmed that military forces had killed Mario Carrasco Coronel, aka "El Gallo" the nephew of Ignacio "El Nacho" Coronel-Villareal, 56, in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Carrasco Coronel tried to escape from a residence in the Rinconada de los Novelistas neighborhood by shooting and wounding a soldier. Other soldiers returned gunfire and fatally shot him.
The military forces located Carrasco Coronel through El Nacho's laptop confiscated from his uncle's safehouse mansion a day earlier. Carrasco Coronel was considered by federal authorities as the next leader to replace his uncle Coronel-Villareal in the Sinaloa Cartel leadership.
On Thursday, Sedena confirmed that Coronel-Villareal, an alleged principal partner of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman leader of the Sinaloa Cartel was killed during a confrontation with the Mexican military. Coronel-Villareal was hiding out in a residential estate of the Colinas de San Javier neighborhood near Guadalajara when 150 Mexican soldiers supported by the airforce assaulted the property.
The military found 10 luggage cases with $7 million U.S. dollars, a laptop, and jewelry at the mansion where Coronel-Villareal was fatally shot, according to Sedena.

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Military Arrests 62 Police And Ministry Agents In Tijuana, Mexico For Drug Cartel Ties

Photo: Narco Trafico en Mexico

Military detains Benito Juárez, Nuevo León Secretary of Public Safety and 5 police officers in connection with 51 bodies found at nine clandestine graves in the municipality.

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 30, 2010

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico - On Thursday, the Mexican Department of Defense announced the arrests of 62 police officers including six ex-ministry federal agents for alleged ties to drug cartels, the Arellano Felix Cartel mainly operates in the area. The arrests of the officers is a big blow to police protection and security for the cartels that operates in Baja California, said Commander Alfonso Duarte Mújica, from the 2nd Military Command in Tijuana.
The two year investigation was conducted by the Assistant Attorney General for Special Investigations and Organized Crimes (SIEDO) of the Baja California Attorney General's Office, said Rommel Moreno Manjarrez, the state Attorney General (state PGR).
The accused municipal officers were taken to Mexico City for further criminal proceedings by the Mexican Attorney General's Office (federal PGR).
Last week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Jesús Quiñones Marquez, the Director of International Coordination for the Baja California PGR for having ties to organized criminal drug cartels.
On Friday in an unrelated action by the military, Mexican military detained Alberto González Hernández, the Secretary of Public Safety for the municipality of Benito Juárez and five police officers in Monterrey, Nuevo León. The suspects were detained for questioning in connection with the nine clandestine graves uncovered where 51 bodies were found last week, the Mexican Department of Defense announced. The investigation is ongoing.

The following Mexican Tijuana municipal police and ex-ministry police were arrested and charged for criminal organized activity and crimes against public health.

Municipal and Ministry police officers arrested on Thursday were identified as: Víctor Manuel Peraza Bravo; José Rubén a/k/a Víctor Manuel Escobar Cienfuentes; Édgar Aguilar Morales; Alfredo López Rosales; Juan Carlos Gonzaléz Gonzaléz; Miguel Angel Villagómez Hernández; Verrancio Romero Flores; Fabián Papik Montes Sánchez and Rafael Ramírez Estrada,

Héctor Manuel Diarte Guerrero; Francisco Alonso Rodríguez Pacheco Mario Alberto Ocampo Severiano; Manuel Alcaraz Tiscareño; Juan Francisco Monterrroso Quintero; Carlos Alberto Cabrales Ortiz and José Francisco Valencia López,

Commander of municipal police, Ernesto Silva Frausto; Ismael Barragán Mares; Sergio Díaz Santiago; Leonardo Esquivel Esparza Víctor Gerónimo García Arellano; José de Jesús Ornelas Jiménez,

José Luis Rodríguez Rodríguez; Rafael Solís Rangel; Melecio Valdovinos Chávez; Óscar Vázquez Castrejón; Francisco Vega Lugo; Héctor Eligio Alcántar; José Pablo Adriano Rosales; Jazziel Yusep Angulo Uriarte; María de lo Ángeles Alvarado Lizárraga and Ana Cristina Argueta Díaz,

Iván Ulises Cabrera González; Gabriel Casas Esqueda; José Francisco Castillo Fermín; Guillermo Cruz Lizárraga; Arnulfo Chávez Illescas; Migue Luna Navarrete; Eliseo Martínez Colmenero; Martín Ochoa Barrera and Cinthya Cecilia Oleta,

Édgar Israel Paz Avilés; Juan Pelayo Dueñas Víctor Ramos Rodríguez; Armando Roque Aguiar; David Ruelas Ibarra; Rigoberto Silva Frausto; Efraín Siordia Ramírez and Julio César Sollano García,

María Efigenia Zúñiga Toledo; Alfonso David Corvera Sánchez; Aurelio Román Gutiérrez Cisneros; Jesús Gabriel Reyna Juvera; Benito Corral Ochoa; Juan Carlos Patrón Zúñiga; Luis Armando Chávez Flores,

Alfredo Moreno Cueva, Sergio Heriberto Fernández Dueña and Aarón Isaac Mendoza Fajardo.

News of 62 police and ministry agents arrested on Thursday for alleged ties to drug cartels in Baja California, Mexico: http://bit.ly/bGpsjz

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Federal Judge Gets Threats In Arizona For Partially Blocking SB 1070

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 30, 2010

Phoenix, Arizona - On Thursday, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that they added extra security for U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton after receiving thousands of calls and e-mails deemed threatening. Most are positive e-mails, but others "from people venting and who have expressed their displeasure in a perverted way," the Marshals Office says. They are taking threats seriously and are investigating each threat.
Judge Bolton on Wednesday blocked key provisions of the Arizona SB 1070 anti-immigrant state law making it useless.
Her ruling prompted the perverted and threatening emails, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Governor Jan Brewer's attorney filed an appeal yesterday in the 9th U.S. District Court of Appeals in San Francisco. The appeals judge will most likely concur with Bolton.
Thousands of pro-immigrants demonstrated in Phoenix and at least 50 protesters who blocked downtown intersections were taken into custody. They will face hefty fines to help generate revenue for Maricopa County and Sheriff Joe Arpaio's jail.
In many states, pro-immigrant groups and organizations marched as part of a national day of action to protest SB 1070.
Counter protesters were present, but police kept both groups from each other. In some cases, the controversial law has ignited heated shouting matches among protesters and led to civil disobedience. Anti-immigrant groups have condemned  demonstrators who are engaging and promoting violence.
More demonstrations throughout the nation by pro-immigrant groups and supporters are expected until SB 1070 is killed.

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"El Nacho" Coronel-Villareal, A Major Druglord For Sinaloa Cartel Killed In Jalisco By Mexican Military

Ignacio "El Nacho" Coronel-Villareal

Irán Francisco Quiñonez

Mexican military found $7 million U.S. dollars in mansion where El Nacho Coronel-Villareal was using as a safehouse

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 29, 2010

Zapopan, Jalisco Mexico - On Thursday, the Mexican Defense Department (Sedena) confirmed that Ignacio "El Nacho" Coronel-Villareal, 56, an alleged principal partner of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman leader of the Sinaloa Cartel was killed during a confrontation with the Mexican military. Coronel-Villareal was hiding out in a residential estate of the Colinas de San Javier neighborhood near Guadalajara with other gunmen when 150 Mexican soldiers supported by the airforce assaulted the property at about 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. The confrontation lasted several hours, residents reported hearing explosions from granades and heavy gunfire.
Coronel-Villareal and several other members of the Sinaloa Cartel were killed during the shootout clash with the military. One Mexican soldier was reported killed and another was wounded.
Irán Francisco Quiñonez and 10 alleged Sinaloa Cartel members were taken into custody. Quiñonez accompanied Coronel-Villareal during his stay at the safehouse where a laptop, 10 luggage cases with $7 million U.S. dollars in cash and jewelry was found, according to Sedena. Sedena officials could not confirm that 10 suspects were in custody.
Coronel-Villareal was known as the "King of Crystal" for manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine in both Mexico and the U.S.
The U.S. had offered $5 million dollars for information leading to Coronel-Villareal's arrest and the Mexican government had an additional $2.3 million dollars reward for his capture.

FBI wanted poster (Spanish) at: http://bit.ly/d8tNyg

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Pro-immigrants Marched In Milwaukee Protesting Arizona's SB 1070 And Local Sheriff's Partnership With ICE

Protesters were turned away from the Circle at the Henry S. Reuss Federal Plaza by federal security guards when they briefly stopped to chant "Si se Puede...educación primero no deportaciones" (Yes we can...education first, not deportations)

Photos: HNG

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 29, 2010

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, about 100 pro-immigrants and supporters for comprehensive immigration reform marched in protest of SB 1070 and ethnic studies ban in the state of Arizona. The march was part of the national day of action in the country. They were also opposing Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke partnership with ICE and deportations associated with their agreement to house ICE detainees.
The protesters were turned away from the Circle at the Henry S. Reuss Federal Plaza by federal security guards when they briefly stopped. Some protesters were standing in the steps of the federal public outdoor plaza on the corner of W. Wisconsin Ave. and N. 3rd St.
The march was sponsored by Voces de la Frontera, the Mecha student groups from Milwaukee and Madison, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Milwaukee Youth Empowered in the Struggle (YES!) of Voces de la Frontera and New Sanctuary Movement Project of Voces de la Frontera.
The American Civil Liberties Union had about six legal observers monitoring the protest and march. It turned out to be a peaceful march.
Organizers expected a larger turn out, but yesterday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton to block a number of key SB 1070 provisions making it useless kept many away.
Judge Bolton's SB 1070 injunction ruling blocks officers from asking the legal status of people during investigations, requiring people to carry alien registration documents at all times, making it a crime for undocumented immigrants to solicit, perform or apply for work, and warrantless arrests.
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer was diappointed with the rulling and directed her lawyers to file an appeal on Thursday in the 9th U.S. Dictrict Court of Appeals in San Francisco. But mostlikely, the federal appeals judge will concur with Judge Bolton.
The march began at 11 a.m. at Zeidler Square Park and proceeded North on 4th Street to the Circle at the Henry S. Reuss Federal Plaza, then continue East on Wisconsin Avenue to the Federal Courthouse. The March ennded at Cathedral Square Park. on North Jackson.

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Federal Judge Blocks Major Parts Of Arizona's SB 1070 Making It Useless

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton

Major legal victory for USDOJ and the majority of the public who opposed the Arizona SB 1070 state law

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 28, 2010

Phoenix, Arizona - On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton ruled to block major controversial parts of Arizona's SB 1070 making the state law useless until seven lawsuits are resolved. Bolton's ruling gave a big blow and setback to Governor Jan Brewer's anti-immigration law, which required state and local police officers to ask for legal status, if they suspected someone was illegally in the country during investigations. The decision sets precedent on how the actual case will be resolved and Arizona's anti-immigrant groups who supported the measure will needlessly spent millions of dollars to try and overturn the expected final ruling. The case could take up to 3 years to resolve and might end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Governor Brewer said, her lawyers are closely looking into Bolton's ruling to block certain provisions of SB 1070 and plans to appeal the decision on Thursday in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. But most likely, a federal appeals judge will concur with Judge Bolton.
Judge Bolton's SB 1070 injunction ruling blocks officers from asking the legal status of people during investigations, requiring people to carry alien registration documents at all times, making it a crime for undocumented immigrants to solicit, perform or apply for work, and warrantless arrests.
 "Requiring Arizona law enforcement officials and agencies to determine the immigration status of every person who is arrested burdens lawfully-present aliens because their liberty will be restricted while their status is checked... The court also finds that the United States is likely to suffer irreparable harm if the court does not preliminarily enjoin enforcement of these Sections of (the law) and that the balance of equities tips in the United States' favor considering the public interest," U.S. District Judge Bolton wrote in a 36-page decision.
Judge Bolton's ruling gave a major victory for the U.S. Department of Justice, six other groups and civil rigths organizations and the majoring of the public who opposed the discriminatory Arizona SB 1070 measure. The ruling sends the other 9 states that are considering a similar SB 1070 law a warning that the federal government will challenge their anti-immigrant state laws, resulting in an expensive legal battle as Arizona is facing today.
SB 1070 was scheduled to take effect by midnight.
On Tuesday, the Fremont Nebraska City Council decided to suspend the implementation of an anti-immigrant ordinance barring the hiring and renting to illegal immigrants. Fremont is facing several lawsuits and city officials expect to spent at least $1 million to enact the ordinance per year.
Two other cities had passed similar measures, but federal judges struck down those measures. In July 2007, the City of Hazleton, Pennsylvania measure in Lozano v Hazleton was ruled that immigration law should be left for the federal government and the federal judge declared it unconstitutional as well. Hazleton is appealing the ruling.
In May 2008, the Farmers Branch, Texas measure banning landlords from renting to illegal immigrants was declared unconstitutional by a federal court. Both cities have not been able to enact similar measures in four years, due to lengthy and costly court challenges.

To complete Judge Bolton's ruling click: http://bit.ly/aWVo5q


Text of Federal Judge Susan Bolton's Partial Injunction Against Arizona Immigration Law

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

United States of America Plaintiff
vs
State of Arizona; and Janice K. Brewer Governor of the State of Arizona, in her Official Capacity Defendants

No. CV 10-1413-PHX-SRB


ORDER At issue is the Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed by Plaintiff the United States
("Pl.'s Mot.") (Doc. 27)

I. SUMMARY

Against a backdrop of rampant illegal immigration escalating drug and human trafficking crimes, and serious public safety concerns, the Arizona Legislature enacted a set of statutes and statutory amendments in the form of Senate Bill 1070, the "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act," 2010 Arizona Session Laws Chapter 113, which Governor Janice K. Brewer signed into law on April 23, 2010. Seven days later, the Governor signed into law a set of amendments to Senate Bill 1070 under House Bill 2162, 2010 Arizona Session Laws, Chapter 211.

Among other things, S.B. 1070 requires officers to check a (Section 2) and authorizes officers to make a warrantless arrest of a person where there is probable cause to believe that the person committed a public offense that makes the person removable from the United States (Section 6). S.B 1070 also creates or amends crimes for the failure of an alien to apply for or carry registration papers (Section 3) the smuggling of human beings (Section 4), the performance of work by unauthorized aliens, and the transport or harboring of unlawfully present aliens (Section 5).

On July 6, 2010, the United States filed a Complaint with this Court challenging the constitutionality of S.B. 1070 and it also filed a Motion requesting that the Court issue a preliminary injunction to enjoin Arizona from enforcing S.B. 1070 until the Court can make a final determination as to its constitutionality. The United States argues principally that the power to regulate immigration is vested exclusively in the federal government, and that the provisions of S.B. 1070 are therefore preempted by federal law.

The Court notes that S.B. 1070 is not a freestanding statute rather, it is an enactment of the Arizona Legislature that adds some new sections to the Arizona Revised Statutes ("A.R.S.") and amends some preexisting sections. S.B. 1070 also contains a severability clause, providing that,

[i]f a provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are severable.

S.B. 1070 § 12(A). Therefore, the Court cannot and will not enjoin S.B. 1070 in its entirety, as certain parties to lawsuits challenging the enactment have requested. The Court is obligated to consider S.B. 1070 on a section by section and provision by provision basis.

Other than seeking a preliminary injunction as to "S.B 1070," the United States has not made any argument to preliminarily enjoin and the Court therefore does not enjoin the following provisions of S.B. 1070.

[SECTIONS NOT BLOCKED]

Section 1 of S.B. 1070

no A.R.S. citation: providing the intent of the legislation

Portions of Section 2 of S.B. 1070

A.R.S. § 11-1051(A): prohibiting Arizona officials, agencies and political subdivisions from limiting enforcement of federal immigration laws

A.R.S. § 11-1051(C)-(F): requiring that state officials work with federal officials with regard to unlawfully present aliens

A.R.S. § 11-1051(G)-(L): allowing legal residents to sue any state official, agency, or political subdivision for adopting a policy of restricting enforcement of federal immigration laws to less than the full extent permitted by federal law

Section 4 of S.B. 1070 A.R.S. § 13-2319: amending the crime of human smuggling

Portion of Section 5 of S.B. 1070

A.R.S. § 13-2928(A)-(B): creating a crime for stopping a motor vehicle to pick up day laborers and for day laborers to get in a motor vehicle if it impedes the normal movement of traffic

Section 7 of S.B. 1070

A.R.S. § 23-212: amending the crime of knowing employment of unauthorized aliens

Section 8 of S.B. 1070

A.R.S. § 23-212.01: amending the crime of intentional employment of unauthorized aliens

Section 9 of S.B. 1070

A.R.S. § 23-214: amending the requirements for checking employment eligibility

Section 11 of S.B. 1070

A.R.S. § 41-1724: creating the gang and immigration intelligence team enforcement mission fund

Sections 12 & 13 of S.B. 1070

no A.R.S. citation: administering S.B. 1070

[SECTIONS BLOCKED]

Applying the proper legal standards based upon well- established precedent, the Court finds that the United States is not likely to succeed on the merits in showing that the following provisions of S.B. 1070 are preempted by federal law, and the Court therefore does not enjoin the enforcement of the following provisions of S.B. 1070.

Portion of Section 5 of S.B. 1070 A.R.S. § 13-2929: creating a separate crime for a person in violation of a criminal offense to transport or harbor an unlawfully present alien or encourage or induce an unlawfully present alien to come to or live in Arizona

Section 10 of S.B. 1070 A.R.S. § 28-3511: amending the provisions for the removal or impoundment of a vehicle to permit impoundment of vehicles used in the transporting or harboring of unlawfully present aliens

Applying the proper legal standards based upon well- established precedent, the Court finds that the United States is likely to succeed on the merits in showing that the following Sections of S.B. 1070 are preempted by federal law

Portion of Section 2 of S.B. 1070

A.R.S. § 11-1051(B): requiring that an officer make a reasonable attempt to determine the immigration status of a person stopped, detained or arrested if there is a reasonable suspicion that the person is unlawfully present in the United States, and requiring verification of the immigration status of any person arrested prior to releasing that person

Section 3 of S.B. 1070

for or carry alien registration papers Portion of Section 5 of S.B. 1070

A.R.S. § 13-2928(C):

creating a crime for an unauthorized alien to solicit, apply for, or perform work Section 6 of S.B 1070

A.R.S. § 13-3883(A)(5):

authorizing the warrantless arrest of a person where there is probable cause to believe the person has committed a public offense that makes the person removable from the United States

The Court also finds that the United States is likely to suffer irreparable harm if the Court does not preliminarily enjoin enforcement of these Sections of S.B. 1070 and that the balance of equities tips in the United States' favor considering the public interest. The Court therefore issues a preliminary injunction enjoining the enforcement of the portion of Section 2 creating A.R.S. § 11-1051(B), Section 3 creating A.R.S. § 13-1509, the portion of Section 5 creating A.R.S. § 13-2928(C), and Section 6 creating A.R.S. § 13- 3883(A)(5) ...

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Fremont Nebraska City Council Postponed Anti-immigrant Ordinance 5165 Enforcement

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 27, 2010

Fremont, Nebraska - On Tuesday, the Fremont City Council unanimously voted 8-0 to postponed city ordinance 5165. The ordinance bars businesses from hiring illegal immigrants and prevented landlords from renting to illegal immigrants, if enacted. Under the ordinance llegal immigrants had to apply and pay a $5.00 fee for an "occupancy license" with the city council.
The City of Fremont officials are facing more than $ 1 million in costs to implement 5165 and defend it per year, including legal fees, city employee overtime, and upgrading computer software.On Wednesday, the City of Fremont was scheduled to address a restraining order brought upon by several lawsuits from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) attorneys.
The ACLU will now file and request a federal judge to block the ordinance until the lawsuits are resolved.
The ACLU-Nebraska says, like the recently passed law in Arizona, the Fremont law invites racial profiling against Latinos and others who appear "foreign." "We're relieved that the Fremont City Council suspended this discriminatory ordinance while it's being litigated," said Amy Miller, Legal Director of ACLU Nebraska. "It was a responsible decision that will spare residents of Fremont from worrying about losing housing and jobs because of their appearance and accent pending a final resolution by the court."
The ACLU's lawsuit, filed on July 21 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska, charges that Fremont's law is at odds with the clear constitutional mandate imposing a uniform federal immigration enforcement system and has a discriminatory effect on those who look or sound "foreign."
The Fremont ordinance, which passed on June 21, requires prospective renters to provide the Fremont Police Department with information about their citizenship or immigration status prior to renting any home. Employers are required to check the status of would-be hires using E-Verify, a flawed federal electronic verification program that Congress has repeatedly declined to make mandatory.
Two other cities had passed similar measures, but federal judges struck down those measures. In July 2007, the City of Hazleton, Pennsylvania measure in Lozano v Hazleton was ruled that immigration law should be left for the federal government and the federal judge declared it unconstitutional as well. Hazleton is appealing the ruling.
In May 2008, the Farmers Branch, Texas measure banning landlords from renting to illegal immigrants was declared unconstitutional by a federal court. Both cities have not been able to enact similar measures in four years, due to lengthy and costly court challenges.
Fremont is facing a lengthy legal battle that could eventually bankrupt the city.

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Umana, First La Mara Salvatrucha "MS-13" Member To Get Federal Death Penalty In U.S.

Alejandro Enrique Ramirez Umana, aka "Wizard and Lobo"

Photo: Macklenburg County Sheriff's Office

July 27, 2010

Washington, D.C. (HNNUSA) – On Tuesday, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. formally imposed the federal death penalty sentence on Alejandro Enrique Ramirez Umana, aka "Wizard and Lobo," 25, of Charlotte, announced Assistant U.S. Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Anne M. Tompkins of the Western District of North Carolina. A 12 person federal jury in Charlotte, N.C., voted unanimously on April 2010, to impose the death penalty against Umana after convicting him on April 19, 2010, on charges related to the murders on Dec. 8, 2007, of Ruben Garcia Salinas and his brother, Manuel Garcia Salinas. Umana is the first La Mara Salvatrucha or MS-13 member in the United States to receive the federal death penalty.
Umana was convicted by the jury on all charged counts including conspiracy to participate in racketeering; two counts of murder in aid of the racketeering enterprise known as MS-13; two counts of murder resulting from the use of a gun in a violent crime, possession of a firearm by an illegal alien; one count of extortion; and two criminal counts associated with witness tampering or intimidation. During the sentencing phase, the jury also found that Umana was responsible for other murders. Specifically, the jury found that on July 27, 2005, Umana killed Jose Herrera and Gustavo Porras in Los Angeles and on Sept. 28, 2005, Umana participated and aided and abetted the killing of Andy Abarca in Los Angeles.
Umana was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 23, 2008. Witnesses testified at his trial that Umana was a veteran member of MS-13 who illegally came to Charlotte to assist in reorganizing the Charlotte MS-13 cell. Witnesses also testified that on Dec. 8, 2007, while in Las Jarochitas a family-run restaurant in Greensboro, N.C., Umana shot Ruben Garcia Salinas fatally in the chest and Manuel Garcia Salinas in the head.
The investigation of the MS-13 enterprise in Charlotte has led to charges against 26 MS-13 members.  In addition to Umana, six defendants were convicted at trial in January 2010, and 18 others have pleaded guilty. One defendant remains in custody in El Salvador.  To date, 11 of the 25 defendants convicted have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to 20 years.

In June, Judge Conrad Jr. sentenced:

• Alexi Ricardo Ramos, a/k/a "Pajaro" was sentenced to 108 months in prison and five years of supervised release
• Santos Canales-Reyes, a/k/a "Chicago" was sentenced to 144 months in prison and five years of supervised release
• Jose Abrian-Urbina, a/k/a "Peligroso" was sentenced to 168 months in prison and five years of supervised release
• Mario Guarjardo-Garcia, a/k/a "Speedy," "Iran Guerrero Gomez," and "Luis Angel Galindo" was sentenced to 94 months in prison and five years of supervised release prison and five years of supervised releas
• Jaime Sandoval, a/k/a "Pelon" prison was sentence to 222 months in prison and five years of supervised release

• Nelson Hernandez-Ayala, a/k/a "Sixteen" was sentenced to 42 months in prison and three years of supervised release

• Heverth Ulises Castellon, a/k/a "Misterio" and "Sailor" was sentenced to 240 months in prison and five years of supervised release

In May, sentenced were:

• Yelson Olider Castro-Licona, a/k/a "Diablo" was sentenced to 75 months in prison and three years of supervised release

• Oscar Manuel Moral-Hernandez, a/k/a "Truchon" was sentenced to 34 months in prison and three years of supervised release

• Manuel Cruz, a/k/a "Silencioso" was sentenced to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release

• Javier Molina, a/k/a "Big Psycho: and "Gringo;" was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release

Undocumented defendents will be subject to immediate deportation once their sentences are served.

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No Evidence Found To Proof Zetas Had Seized 2 Ranches In Laredo, TX, Webb County Sheriff's Office Confirmed

Sheriff deputies investigate alleged Zeta seizure of 2 Laredo ranches made by callers and bloggers and found no evidence it ever occured, Zeta frenzy had bloggers claiming an "act of war" against the U.S. by the Mexican criminal organization.

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 26, 2010

Laredo, Texas - On Sunday, the Webb County Sheriff's Office confirmed numerous reports by callers, conservative and anti-immigrant bloggers saying armed Zetas had seized to 2 ranches in Laredo's Minerales neighborhood never occured, according to their investigation. Martin Cuellar, Webb County Sheriff reported, on Saturday, at 10:00 a.m. the department began to receive a large volume of calls inquiring about an armed resistence by Zetas with law enforcement officals in the Laredo area and that Zetas had taken refuge in a couple of ranches they have taken over.
It never happened, “the public would be the first to know, if anything was going on. Our deputies went out there and talked to ranch owners in the area and found nothing," Sheriff Cuellar told the Laredo Morning Times. Cuellar did not release any information on how much the presumed hoax cost Webb County to investigate.
The blog reports began when Dan Amato from Diggers Realm initially posted and spread infromation that Zetas had seized two ranches in Laredo as an "act of war." Amato wrote that Jeff Schwilk, the San Diego, California founder of the state minutemen provided the information (tip). Amato said that he believed Kimberly Dvorak from the Examiner.com who reported two unnamed sources inside the Laredo Police Department had confirmed that indeed Zetas had seized two ranches in Laredo.
The local newspaper in Laredo reported on Saturday, a blogger wrote that he got a tip from Schwilk, who said that the Zetas, former enforcers of the Gulf Cartel, had crossed into the United States and taken over two ranches off Mines Road, about 10 miles northwest of Interstate 35, and an armed confrontation followed between the Zetas and the U.S. Border Patrol in conjunction with local police, according to the Laredo Morning Times.
The Laredo Police Department, and the U.S. Border Patrol have confirmed the reports in the Diggers Realm and Examiner are not true alleging Zetas seized two ranches and had an armed confrontion with the feds. Even, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Office in San Antonio refused comments on a rumor.
Dvorak of the Examiner reported, she had two sources in the Laredo Police Department that previously confirmed 100 per cent that the incident occurred, but now it seems the sources have quietly diminished and faded away. It may never be known, if the sources ever actually existed.

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Juarez Cartel And La Linea Druglord Arrested By Mexican Federal Police

Luis Carlos Vásquez Barragán, aka, "El 20"

July 26, 2010

Mexico City, Mexico (HNNUSA) - On Sunday, the federal Public Safety Secretary (SSP) announced the arrest of Luis Carlos Vásquez Barragán, 39, aka, "El 20," an alleged high ranking leader of the Juárez Cartel and of La Linea. Barragán was arrested in Juárez by the Mexican federal police, SSP reported.
La Linea gang is the armed enforcers for the Juárez Cartel headed by Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, aka, "El Viceroy."
Barragán was in charge of finances and payroll for the La Linea criminal organization. He is accused of arranging the transport, smuggling, and trafficking large quantities of marihuana and cocaine into the U.S.
Barragán was in charge of ordering the deaths of rival gang members and managed the Juárez Cartel operations in the state of Chihuahua. Members of La Liñea gang have been previously charged in connection with the massacre of 15 people, including students in early February in Juárez during a birthday party. Some of them and affiliated Barrio Azteca gang members were charged in the March 13th shooting deaths of three people, including a U.S. Consulate worker in Juárez.
He ranked in the same leadership level in La Linea as Juan Pablo Ledezma, aka, "El JL" and Armando Corral, according to Mexican authorities.
He is originally from Nicolás Bravo, municipality of Madero in Chihuahua.

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Juan Gabriel Personality At Principe de Paz Church Festival In Milwaukee

Top photo: Hugo Pequeño imitating Juan Gabriel
Bottom photo: Miguel Angel Perez and Puequeño posed for a picture after the show. Perez has been operating Sonido Studio Galerias for 20 years and provided the sound equipment and DJ's for the two day Principe de Paz church Summer festival.
Photos by HNG

Imitator draws crowd to church festival

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 25, 2010

Milwaukee - On Sunday, the Principe de Paz church festival became alive the moment Hugo Pequeño, 38, best known as one of the upcoming entertainers and actual imitator of Juan Gabriel in the Midwest. He is originally from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and has been imitating the following personalities, Lupe Esparsa, Jose Jose and Rigo Tovar for six years.
Pequeño a resident of Milwaukee since 1998 said, he just naturally developed his ability to imitate famous Latinos from the entertainment world.
Pequeño mimics Gabriel's voice, movements, gesters and his love for get the audience invloved in his performance.
Pequeño no doubt can entertain and is one to see and admire for his dedication to entertain and provide a brief presence of the Juan Gabriel personality in Milwaukee.
Prinicpe de Paz church is located in the 2400 block of W. Scott St.

An Hugo Pequeño video performance: http://bit.ly/apPTRy

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Zetas Taken Over Two Ranches In Laredo Untrue, Police And Feds Confirmed

Conservative bloggers and anti-immigrant groups began to post and spread the false report on the Internet about the San Diego minuteman belief that Zetas had seized two ranches in Laredo and the feds weren't responding... apparently a hoax by minutemen!

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 25, 2010

Laredo, Texas - On Saturday, local and federal law enforcement agencies have confirmed the alleged report by a blogger that an unknown number of Zetas had taken over two ranches in Laredo was not true. The Federal Bureau of Investigation Office in San Antonio spokesperson Erik Vasys said, the bureau did not comment on rumors.
The Laredo Police Department, Webb County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Border Patrol have confirmed, they have not been notified or responded to a takeover of several ranches at the Minerales neighorhood by members of the Zeta Cartel.
Hector Garcia, a Laredo city council member told the Advocate blogger in Nuevo Laredo that the Sheriff's Department had confirmed that two ranchers had an argument, and there was no Zeta takeover of any Laredo ranch in the area as reported by bloggers. The Avocate even drove to the area where supposedly the Zetas had seized the ranches and were in a stand off with the feds and local authorties. No law enforcement deployment was detected in the area or any indication Zetas had taken control of any ranch, the Avocate reported.
The blog reports began when Dan Amato from Diggers Realm initially posted and began to spread that Zetas had seized two ranches in Laredo as an "act of war." Amato wrote that Jeff Schwilk, the San Diego, California minuteman provided the information (tip). Amato said that he believed Kimberly Dvorak from the Examiner.com who reported two unnamed sources inside the Laredo Police Department had confirmed, that indeed Zetas had seized two ranches in Laredo.
The local newspaper in Laredo reported on Saturday, a blogger wrote that he got a tip from a Schwilk, who said that the Zetas, former enforcers of the Gulf Cartel, had crossed into the United States and taken over two ranches off Mines Road, about 10 miles northwest of Interstate 35, and an armed confrontation followed between the Zetas and the U.S. Border Patrol in conjunction with local police, according to the Laredo Morning Times.
The rumor spread quickly around the U.S. and caught local authorities by surprise when people began to call for confirmation of the seized ranches. Laredo Police Detective Jose E. Baeza, spokesperson confirmed, the department was unaware of any incident or confrontation with Zetas in Laredo.
On Saturday afternoon, Maru De La Paz, spokeswoman from the Webb County Sheriff's Office informed the Laredo Morning Times, the department could not confirm that Zetas had taken over several ranches in the county.
Recently, authorities across the border in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico reported multiple gun battle confrontations between alleged Zetas and the military resulting in more than a dozen people killed and 21 injured. President Felipe Calderon sent Mexican troops last week to secure the city and to try and get rid of the Zeta Cartel drug influence and violence associated with drug trafficking and smuggling through the bordertown of Nuevo Laredo into Laredo, Texas.

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More Than 51 Bodies Discovered In Three Days Of Digging By Mexican Government In Monterrey

Photo: Narco Trafico en Mexico

Death penalty gaining support from federal legislators and the public in Mexico

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 24, 2010

Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico - The Nuevo Leon Attorney General's Office (state PGR) confirmed that so far, more than 51 bodies have been discovered in the outskirts of Monterrey near the Aguilas neighborhood in the municipality of Benito Juárez. The first 18 bodies including charred remains were first discovered in a revene just outside the city, three of days ago.
Adrián de la Garza, from the state PGR investigative agency says, the agency is working full to capacity for the last several days and has brought in forensic staff to cope with the current ongoing multiple homicide investigation. 
The state PGR homicide investigators suspected more bodies could have been buried in the spot. They were able to bring in dirt diggers and movers to turnover the ground and found more bodies.
Rodrigo Medina de la Cruz, Governor of Nuevo Leon suspects the bodies were dumped by warring cartels in the area. Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartels have been feuding over control of the mutibillion drug routes near bordertowns. In early March, the Gulf Cartel, the Sinaloa Cartel, and La Familia Michoacana formed a Federation of cartels to combat Los Zetas and its allies.
No one, drug cartel or criminal organization has claimed responsibility for the homicides, according to Medina de la Cruz.
People sick and tired of the deadly violence in area alleged that the Mexican military and federal police are involved in the massive murders discovered at the clandestine gravesite.
The federal PGR says, it suspects the drug cartels have been getting rid of the bodies at the Monterrey gravesite, but can't determine who committed the murders. None of the bodies have been identified and no one has come forward to claim a body. DNA samples will be taken to try and identified the bodies with reported kidnappings and missing persons. At least 200 people have been reported missing within the last three years, without a trace.
Residents in the area and narco messages left throughout the city claim, that the federal Mexican police, military marines, the government and President Felipe Calderon have been protecting the Gulf Cartel and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia alleged leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel. No evidence has been uncovered to proof, tie or indicate Calderon, the military and the federal police are protecting the Sinaloa Cartel druglords.
Both Sinaloa Cartel leaders were able to elude federal authorities and the military a few weeks ago, when authorities capture nine members of the Sinaloa Cartel. The suspects confessed to authorities and were able to provide intelligence and information where both leaders might have been hiding and operating the Sinaloa Cartel in the state of Nayarit.
Just recently, red cross computers were compromised and a message was left criticising and alleging corruption by Calderon, federal police and local officials in Nuevo Laredo. The hacker called on Nuevo Laredo residents to fight back against local government officials, federal police corruption, and the drug cartels. 
The U.S. government recently indicted 43 suspects from Mexico involved in drug trafficking and other federal and state crimes.
On July 23, the U.S. government unseal an indictment charging 43 defendants with participating in a federal racketeering (RICO) conspiracy. The RICO conspiracy alleged in the complaint involves the commission of both state and federal crimes, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, robbery, drug trafficking and money laundering offenses. As set forth in the complaint, the defendants are members and associates of the Fernando Sanchez Organization (FSO), an offshoot of the Arellano-Felix drug-trafficking cartel.
The indictment alleged that Jesus Quiñones Marques, the Director of International Liaison for the Baja California Attorney General’s Office, was aware of the FSO’s illegal activities and used his position to obtain confidential law enforcement information for the use of the FSO. According to the complaint, he was involved in making arrangements to have various rivals of the FSO arrested and detained by Mexican law enforcement officials, according to the San Diego Federal Bureau of Investigation Office.
The Mexican Attorney's Office (federal PGR) has previously indicted multiple suspects from the Mexican federal, state, and local police and including public officials with ties to drug cartels. In early April, Mexican authorities confiscated a ledger from a Zeta accountant naming 208 State of Quintana Roo Department of Justice agents and 600 Cancún Municipal police and auxiliary officers on the Zeta payroll.
Federal legislators and public sentiment in Mexico is raising interest in enacting the death penalty for multiple homicides, homicides involving children, as a result of kidnappings, torture and decapitations, by members or hired assassins for reputed drug cartels and criminal organizations.

News video where bodies were found in Nuevo Leon: http://bit.ly/apsUnb

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ICE Launches Online Detainee Locator System To Track Aliens In Custody

Data available of all detainee deaths from 2003 to present

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 23, 2010

Washington, D.C. - To promote the recent detention reform change at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency has launched the Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS) for families, attorney's and interested parties to locate ICE detainees. The ODLS link http://bit.ly/cVEXiB is now accessible to the public and at the ICE home page, where individuals can locate family members detained and the location where they are being held in custody. The system provides a page where a name, date of birth, country of origin and alien registration number can be entered. The detainee information will then become available showing the detention center, state and contact number for the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations office in the region where the facility is located. 
A brochure explaining how to use the ODLS is also available on the website in the following languages: English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Vietnamese Portuguese, Russian, Arabic and Somali.
"The ODLS is an easy, accessible tool that allows family members and counsel to locate an individual in ICE custody in a matter of minutes," said Phyllis Coven, acting director of ICE's Office of Detention Policy and Planning, "ICE is making great strides in our effort to translate the principles of reform into innovative, practical and timely solutions."
Since, the ODLS will be available for use on ICE's public website, the agency is committed to ensuring detainee privacy while making ODLS a useful tool for family members, attorneys and other related parties. Therefore, responses to ODLS queries are only generated, if the data entered is an exact match of data in the system.
On Aug. 6, 2009, ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton announced that the agency was undertaking sweeping reforms of the immigration detention system to improve medical and mental healthcare, conditions of confinement, fiscal prudence and ICE's critical oversight of the system. ICE's Office of Detention Policy and Planning (ODPP) was also created in August 2009 to spearhead the agency's detention reform efforts, acording to ICE.

An ODLS brochure is available in different languages by visiting the following: http://bit.ly/9w8LHX

Download all detainee deaths from 2003 to present: http://bit.ly/aEBB43

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Man Convicted Of Beating Milwaukee Mayor With Tire Iron Gets 12 Years In Prison

Top photo: Anthony J. Peters
Bottom photo: Mayor Tom Barrett

Milwaukee Mayor Barrett thought 21-year-old attacker was going to kill him that August night in 2009

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 23, 2010

Milwaukee -On Friday, Anthony J. Peters, 21, was sentenced by Milwaukee County Circuit Judge David Hansher to 12 years in prison and 10 years extended supervision for the August 15, 2009 tire iron beating of Mayor Tom Barrett, 56. Barrett and members of his family had just left the Wisconsin State Fair Park and were headed to their parked car. When, they encountered Peters agruing with the grandmother of his daughter.
Barrett tried to calm Peters, but Peters took out a tire iron and beat Barrett six times with it, before Barrett could call 911. Barrett's police guard was given the day off, but usually accompanied Barrett for secuirty.
Peters was later convicted of the assault. Barrett suffered a fractured right hand, three broken teeth, and head injuries. He had several surgeries on his hand and will probably never be able to fully bend or use his fingers as he did.
During sentencing Barrett told Judge Hansher, "I thought, I was going to be killed...I thought Anthony Peters was going to kill me that night."
Peters was charged with two felony counts of first-degree reckless injury and theft, and two misdemeanors. The criminal complaint states, Peters admitted to police he hit Mayor Barrett various times with an 18 inch Chrysler tire iron/crowbar after he “freaked out” on him. Peters was facing more than 40 years in prison, if convicted, according to John Chisholm Milwaukee County District Attorney.
On August 15, Barrett was leaving at about 10:45 p.m. from the Wisconsin State Fair with family members when he noticed Peters having an altercation with several people in the 8800 block of W. Orchard St. in West Allis. A woman was crying out for help and trying to protect her 1-year-old granddaughter from Peters, when Barrett came to their aid. Peters was apparently distraught that he was not allowed to see his daughter. Peters who weighs at least 260 lbs. seemed intoxicated threaten to shoot himself and others, and had taken a cell phone from a woman he was arguing with, according to police.

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Sinkhole Swallows Escalate In Milwaukee After Heavy Rain Down Pours

Top photo: Mike Thiel
Bottom photo: Mark Pawlik

Severe thunderstorms caused flash floods in Southeastern Wisconsin and more than 25,000 homes lost power in several counties

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 22, 2010
Updated: July 23, 2010

Milwaukee - On Thursday, the City of Milwaukee officials reported a large sinkhole swallowed a Cadillac Escalate. Lance Treankler, the driver got on top of the vehicle and was rescued by Mark Pawlik who was walking by the intersection. The Escalate was left running with a full tank of gas.
Police evacuated the area because broken live electrical cables made it difficult to get to the vehicle. Police warned drivers to stay away from the intersection of N. Oakland and E. North Ave. where the sinkhole is located.
A man hole collapsed at the intersection and the water gushing and pressure created the 20 ft deep and 40 ft wide sinkhole, Jeff Mantes, Commissioner of the Milwaukee Department of Public Works said. It will take weeks to repair, first we have to get someone in the hole to turn off the SUV, and than a crane will have to be use to take it out of the hole. Then, pipes, electrical and other cables on the ground need to be replaced and will take up to six weeks to repair, according to officials.
Heavy down pours of rain within two hours accumulated beteen 7.22 inches of water causing flash floods throughout the Milwaukee area, according to Mayor John Barrett. TMJ 4 News reported 7 inches fell in one hour, between 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and a total 8.4 inches had fallen on Thursday. More rain is expected on Thursday and will turn extremely humid with 50% and higher dew points.
On Friday, a state of emergency was declared for Milwaukee County by Governor Jim Doyle. Scott Walker, Milwaukee County Executive said, he asked Governor Doyle to declare a state of emergency as a result of all the damage the flash floods had caused. Walker announced that Bradford Beach has been closed and the Beach Jam event has been posponed until next week. Walker is advising people to stay away from county parks, and the Oakcreek Trail, the grounds are soft, trees have been uprooted, heavy mud reported over county roads and streets, and to let county crews do their work by clearing the down trees and roads. The crews have been working overtime since yesterday, and over 2,000 county residents reported water had back up in their basements, Walker said.
General Mitchell Airport was closed and opened at least three times due to flooded runways and was finally closed for more than 14 hours. Flights began departing from the airport after 2:00 p.m. on Friday. Airport officials say, they are trying to clear the runway. Hundreds of passengers had been stranded at the airport since yesterday.
The Milwaukee Fire Department responded to 750 flooded home emergencies, 50 people were rescued, 3 dive calls, and 80 EMS calls. Two people standing outside a home were reported struck by lighting in the 2500 block of W. Mineral St. and are expected to survive. Police said, officers responded to 500 calls on Thursday.
In the 1900 block of Fairmount and Eggert Streets dozens of homes were flooded and the flash floods caused walls of the basements to collapse in many homes.
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke is warning people not to go into the flooded basements for fear of getting electricuted by live fuse boxes. WE energies workers have been turning off power in the neighborhood.
At Humbolt and Capital Drive, within 2 hours at least 7 inches of rain fell triggering flash flood warnings, city officials reported.
Police reported a man in a vehicle was swept away into Lincoln Creek near Sherman and Congress Streets by rushing water. Witnesses say, the man began hitting the window yelling, "help me, help me" but was swept away. A Milwaukee Fire Department rescue unit later recovered the man's body.
Mass flooding reporting in Whitefish Bay, and the Village of Shorewood vacinity. Lincoln Memorial Drive by Bradford Beach was flooded and made it difficult for traffic to flow.
Man hole covers have been reported blown off from numerous streets and police were asking people to report locations where the covers are missing.
In some areas, pavements were swept away by flash floods. Thousands of people were stranded on streets and had backed up traffic for several hours. The heavy pours began shortly after 4:00 p.m. and lasted until 9:00 p.m., more rain is expected throughout the night and Friday.
All Miller Parkway lanes toward the stadium parking lots were under 4 ft of water, which stopped all traffic from getting through. The lanes were closed until the water receded.
A Tornado was spotted earlier moving 30 miles per hour through Southern Waukesha, and Racine Counties near Franklin heading to Oakcreek.
Highway I-43 going North and South bound flooded at Good Hope Road, and drivers began turning around their vehicles and left through the nearest exits. A couple of hours later, the water then receded and traffic began to flow through.
A flash flood and severe thunderstorm watch warning was issued until 2:00 a.m. throughout Southeastern counties.
Milwaukee Public Schools cancelled all activities at their administrative buildings.
The downtown Milwaukee Police Department Administration building lost power, according to police.
In Glendale, the Nicolet High School was flooded with 4.5 ft of water. An athletic coach and some students were painting lockers in the basement when a metal door leading to it broke loose from the water pressure and began to flood the basement. Everyone was able to get out safely.
The Washington County Fair remained opened and a concert went on. Festivalgoers remained at the fair because they couldn't leave due to flooded roads.
More than 25,000 homes in Waukesha and Milwaukee counties were left without power, according to WE Engeries.
Flash flood watch warnings were issued for Columbia; Dane; Dodge; Green; Iowa; Jefferson; Kenosha Lafayette; Milwaukee; Ozaukee; Racine; Rock; Sauk; Walworth; Washington; and Waukesha counties. People living in those counties reported power outages, vehicles stuck in water and flooded basements.
On August 6, 1986, at least 6.81 inches of rain fell causing massive floods in the Milwaukee area.

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Obama Signs Unemployment Benefit Extension Bill For 2.5 Million Jobless Americans

President Obama signs H.R. 4213 at the Oval Office, which extends initial eligibility for emergency unemployment compensation and 100 percent Federal funding for extended unemployment insurance benefits through November 30, 2010.

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 22, 2010

Washington, D.C. - President Barack H. Obama didn't take long to sign the federal extended benefit bill. Shortly after the House passed it, Obama signed the bill making it possible for more than 2.5 million jobless Americans whose benefits ran out to continue getting extended benefits.
In some states, the unemployed will resume retroactive payments and in other states benefits will become available within a week to three weeks. The U.S. Senate passed the bill and today the House passed the bill providing $34 billion in unemployment insurance benefit aid for Americans out work for more than six months through no fault of their own. 
On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 H.R. 4213 shortly after 2:00 p.m. to extend federal unemployment benefits more than 2.5 million Americans, which by the weekend will reached 3 million. Their benefits had ran out and U.S. Senate Republicans blocked the bill three times and tried to stall it for 30 hours, until Democrats finally cleared it and sent the bill to the House for approval.
The House vote was 272 to 152, including 3 Republicans who joined 241 Democrats in supporting the measure. Voting against extending benefits to jobless Americans were 142 Republicans and 10 Democrats.
Republicans and the GOP have gained the label as being un-American for opposing the jobless benefit measure to the end and they have previously blocked Democrat aid to states, which with the aid could have improved the states economy.

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House of Representatives Passed Extended Unemployment Insurance Benefits For 2.5 Million Jobless Americans

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 22, 2010

Washington, D.C. - On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 H.R. 4213 shortly after 2:00 p.m. to extend federal unemployment benefits more than 2.5 million Americans, which by the weekend will reached 3 million. Their benefits had ran out and U.S. Senate Republicans blocked the bill three times and tried to stall it for 30 hours, until Democrats finally cleared it and sent the bill to the House for approval.
The House vote was 272 to 152, including 31 Republicans who joined 241 Democrats in supporting the measure. Voting against extending benefits to jobless Americans were 142 Republicans and 10 Democrats.
Now, the bill goes to President Barack H. Obama for his signature. Obama supported and advocated extending benefits to jobless Americans through no fault of their own.
Republicans and the GOP have gained the label as being un-American for opposing the jobless benefit measure to the end and they have previously blocked Democrat aid to states, which with the aid could have improved the states economy.

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Moran Elected LULAC President In New Mexico At Annual Conference

Margaret "Margie" Moran

In July, LULAC filed one of seven lawsuits challenging Arizona's SB 1070

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 22, 2010

Albuquerque, New Mexico – On Thursday,  the Washington D.C. based organization League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) announced the results of their annual election of officers and president. LULAC is the oldest and largest Hispanic civil rights organization in the country. Members elected Margaret "Margie" Moran as President at the LULAC general assembly and its officers on Saturday, July 17th in Albuquerque, New Mexico during the conclusion of the convention. Moran has been a LULAC member for 30 years and served in various positions throughout her membership. She carried every state and Puerto Rico with 70% of the membership vote.
“We made history on Saturday,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. “I am honored to serve in this role. LULAC is a non-partisan organization that consists of people from all walks of life and perspectives. Our organization must move forward by continuing to recruit and inspire youth and young adults to participate. We provide them with the resources to become leaders and have many members that are outstanding models and mentors."
Lizette Jenness Olmos, Spokesperson for LULAC in the press release said, "it is the first time a husband and wife both served as national president of the organization and the third woman in 81 years to hold this position. The first woman president was Belen Robles and the second to hold the position was Rosa Rosales."
Moran as President committed herself to make sure that LULAC will continue to support for comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, an effective health care reform, the Dream Act, worker’s rights and addressing social justice and human rights issues. She wants to expand 100% growth of LULAC Councils in every university and college throughout the nation and to increase enrollment of Latinos in higher education.
In July, LULAC filed a Class Action lawsuit against the State of Arizona and SB 1070, which allows state and local police officers to request the legal status to be in the country from people they encounter during enforcement of ordinances and criminal investigations. LULAC's lawsuit became one seven lawsuits filed against Arizona in federal court in Phoenix.
The complaint, was filed on July 9, 2010, in federal court in Phoenix as a class action, it alleges that Arizona’s training materials developed and distributed to Arizona law enforcement agencies to implement SB 1070 “exacerbate the conflicts between the United States Constitution and federal laws on the one hand, and Arizona law on the other hand.” The complaint alleges that Arizona’s training materials violate federal law “by failing to recognize that numerous categories of immigrants who did not enter the United States lawfully nevertheless are eligible for legalization of status,” and “by permitting law enforcement officers to rely upon vague and ill-defined factors such as a person’s ‘dress,’ ‘difficulty communicating in English,’ ‘demeanor,’ and ‘claim of not knowing others … at [the] same location,’ as providing justification for a detention based on suspected undocumented status.” The lawsuit argues that Arizona’s SB 1070 is “void and should be struck down under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution.”

Margaret Moran for LULAC 2010 campaign video: http://bit.ly/djgytL

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Federal Extended Insurance Unemployment Benefits Reinstated For Nearly 3 Million Americans

Democrats succeed in passing benefit bill ending weeks of Republican defiant opposition preventing emergency unemployment benefits to Americans

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 21, 2010

Washington D.C. - Today, the U.S. Senate voted 59-39 to reinstate federal extended unemployment insurance benefits to 2.5 million Americans, bill headed now to House of Representatives for Thursday's approval and then to President Barack H. Obama. Obama is expected to sign it by Friday once it makes through the House.
Congress is expected to release $34 billion dollars to meet economic emergency relief for almost 3 million unemployed workers and their families whose benefits have run out.
The GOP and Republicans had been stalling the apporoval and were opposed to extended benefits for unfortunate Americans. They block the bill three times with a filibuster, until Democrats and two Maine Senators overrode it. But, the Republican minority then stalled the bill for 30 hours, according to the Whithouse this morning.
Senate rules requires 30 hours of debate after over riding a flilbuster, but Republicans could have waived the rule and didn't. The Republicans have previously blocked Democrat aid to states, which could have boosted their economy.
Both Republican Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins from Maine broke party lines and voted to approve the benefits. Only Senator Ben Nelson a Democrat from Nebraska voted with Rpeublicans to oppose an emergency extension.
Republicans repeated actions to stall the benefit bill from passing the U.S. Senate affecting millions of Americans was considered un-American.

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Republican Minority Again Blocks Emergency Passage Of Unemployment Insurance Benefits To 2.5. Million Americans

GOP and U.S. Senate Republicans un-American delaying benefits to economically suffering unemployed Americans and their children!

July 21, 2010

Washingtong D.C. (HNNUSA) - On Wednesday, the Whitehouse released the following press release. A day after the Senate moved forward to pass the unemployment insurance extension to help millions of Americans fighting to get back on their feet and find work, the partisan minority in the Senate is yet again obstructing passage of this bill.  After blocking this aid three separate times over the past weeks, Republicans have once again refused to reach an agreement and allow this bill to come to the floor for a vote quickly so these benefits can be restored. 
Republican obstruction has already cost 2.5 million Americans essential aid they need to pay their rent, put food on the table, and take care of their kids.  By the end of this week roughly 350,000 more Americans could be added to that number.  The livelihoods of nearly 3 million Americans shouldn’t hinge on partisan game playing in Washington. 
This latest move gives the partisan minority thirty more hours to stall in the Senate, but that means thirty more hours of suffering for these hardworking families trying to get by.

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U.S. Senate Passed Bill To Extend Federal Unemployment Benefits To 2.5 Million Unemployed Americans

Graph: Internet

"Americans remember the Republicans (GOP) in November, remember they opposed extended unemployment benefits for 2.5 million fellow Americans."

Republicans opposed extending unemployment benefits to Americans with filibuster, but were out voted by Democrats who overrode blockage of benefits

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 20, 2010

Washington D.C. - On Tuesday, U.S. Senate Democrats passed bill by 60-40 to override a Republican filibuster and proceed to extend federal unemployment benefits to 2.5 million unemployed whose benefits had ran out, despite opposition by Republicans. The Senate will take up the bill once again on Wednesday and is expected to be approved. Then the full House will get the bill, which is expected to easily pass it and extending $34 billion in federal unemployment benefits. President Barack H. Obama will sign the bill later in the week, after Congress approves it.
Two Republicans, Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both from Maine voted with Democrats to end the filibuster. Only Senator Ben Nelson (Dem) of Nebraska voted with Republicans to oppose extending benefits to unemployed Americans.
The Republicans in Congress have blocked extended benefits three times forcing Americans who are unemployed through no fault of their own, to face losing the roof on their heads and can't affort to pay monthly ultilities and buy food for their children.
The lack of extended unemployment benefits support by Republicans had forced President Barack H. Obama to address the issue and call on Republicans on Monday to end the block of extended benefits to jobless Americans who continue to look for work.
Republicans and the G.O.P. were accused of using Washington politics to block benefits, according to Democrats and President Obama.
On Tuesday afternoon, West Virginia U.S. Senator Clarke Goodwin (Dem) was sworn in and within minutes the Senate took up the unemployment benefit bill and approved it. Goodwin provided the 60th crucial vote to pass the bill.
On Monday, President Obama called on Congress to extend critical unemployment insurance to millions of Americans looking for a job.
In the three previous efforts, Senate Republicans have blocked the extension of emergency relief for the unemployed. Across the country, this stonewalling has already blocked assistance to 2.5 million Americans, and hundreds of thousands more are impacted by each additional week of delay.
The President also highlighted that many Republicans have previously supported unemployment extensions under Republican administration, but refuse to offer relief to middle class families today. Many of these Republicans want to extend hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while telling working families that we can't afford to help them when they need it most.
President Obama said, "who need emergency relief to help them pay the rent, cover their utilities, and put food on the table while they look for another job. For a long time, there's been a tradition under both Democratic and Republican presidents to offer relief to the unemployed. That was certainly the case under my predecessor, when Republican Senators voted several times to extend emergency unemployment benefits.
These benefits that are often a person's sole source of income while they're out of work are in jeopardy. After years of championing policies that turned a record surplus into a massive deficit, the same people who didn't have any problem spending hundreds of billions of dollars on tax breaks for the wealthiest American are now saying we shouldn't offer relief to middle class Americans.
Over the past few weeks, a majority of Senators have tried not once, not twice, but three times to extend emergency relief on a temporary basis. And each time, a partisan minority in the Senate has used parliamentary maneuvers to block a vote, denying millions of people who are out of work much-needed relief. Republican leaders in the Senate are advancing a misguided notion that emergency relief somehow discourages people from looking for a job.

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND

Federal unemployment insurance provisions expired on June 4th. The Republicans refusal to act has already blocked assistance to 2.5 million Americans, and hundreds of thousands more are impacted by each additional week of delay.

There also is a broader economic imperative to extending these benefits Independent assessments from the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the Duke University/CFO Magazine survey have cited sales concerns and weak product demand as the largest concerns voiced by small businesses and corporate financial officers. The Duke survey found that 36.4 percent of the CFOs believed that weak consumer demand was the top macro concern for their corporation more than 18 percentage points higher than any other listed concern.

Extending unemployment benefits expands local purchasing power Economist Mark Zandi of Moody's Economy.com put the economic multiplier of extending a dollar of unemployment benefits at 1.6 meaning that, for every dollar spent on unemployment compensation $1.60 is added to our economy's output. Similarly, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office places the multiplier in a range between 0.8 and 2.1.

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Milwaukee South Side Alderman Can't distinguish Graffiti From Mural "Art"

Top photo: Alderman Robert G. Donovan argues over graffiti or art with Sarah Patterson, executive director of True Skool before the press conference

Bottom photo: Mural Raw Love

Photo: True Skool

Donovan is "misinformed and misdirected," True Skool does not receive public dollars

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 19, 2010

Milwaukee - On Monday, Alderman Robert G. Donovan called a spontaneous press-conference and before he could address the media Donovan got into heated words with the a coordinator of True Skool Inc. over the difference between mural art and graffiti. Donovan believes such murals are "garbage, this is crab and needs to end" and teaching students about community-based graffiti art is a "disservice" to the kids. The mural only encourages destructive forms of graffiti, Donovan said.
An argument the graffiti artists say, is unprofound and Alderman Donovan doesn't know the difference between illegal graffiti and legal art murals.
"Graffiti is on a huge increase in the city of Milwaukee, that's the bottom line, and when I see stuff like this, these individuals are doing a disservice to the young people in this community by creating this aura that if you get involved in this illegal activity, somehow you'll become a leader," said Donovan. Ald. Donovan says, he is a member of the city Public Safety Committee and allows him to go into any neighborhood. He is member of the Anti-Graffiti Policy Board.
"There's no dispute that graffiti is an art form. For those who don't see it as an art form, are coming from a different generation. They're from a generation that doesn't understand the culture of hip hop, the culture of graffiti as an art form," said Sarah Patterson, executive director of True Skool.
Ald. Donovan left the press conference abruptly before it started. The mural in question was painted Saturday during the True Skool 5th Annual Block Party on a wall donated by Robert Smith, who owns the building at 934 S. Barclay St. and E. Mineral St. More than 750 people attended the weekend event.
Donovan in a press release on Monday said, the mural was brought to his attention by Captain Donald Gaglione from the 2nd Police District Station and the supervisor of the graffiti abatement for the Department of Nieghborhood Services.
"I think they've been successful in misleading people...Graffiti is at its worse level now since we started taking records, and that worsening seems to coincide with the arrival of TRUE Skool on the scene," Donovan wrote.   
Alderman Donovan also called for an investigation to "see why precious grants and resources are being used to 'educate' young people on how to create graffiti...In my opinion this outfit is nothing more than a front for propagating and endorsing graffiti."
Patterson said, the mural "Raw Love" was created for the block party by a group of students surpervised by professional artist Jay Sterling, known as "J Bird" and it was a temperary mural. The mural was scheduled to be painted over at 1:00 p.m. on Monday to avoid confrontation with aldermen, but Ald. Donovan acted before contacting the group.
Donovan said, the owner of the building didn't want the mural on his property and was removed. Smith could not be reached for comment.
Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy West who attended the conference on Monday says, she supports community-based graffiti art and it's not vandalism or promotes vandalism as Donovan alleges.
True Skool will paint a permanent community-base graffiti art in several weeks at S. 3rd St. and W. Bruce St. Another mural was painted previously at S. Cesar E. Chavez Drive and W. Washington St., and a different mural is also painted on S. 12th St. and W. National Ave. Other acceptable murals have been painted by different artists in the area not associated with True Skool located in the 800 block of W. National Ave. and in the 800 block of S. 2nd St.
To some people they become an eye soar, but to others its art and a modern day form of art popular with young artists. Illegal graffiti is usually the defacing of public/private property or businesses without owners permission with spray paint marking gang affiliation insignas, initials, names, and marking gang control of a neighorhood or area. The removal of illegal graffiti has become expensive to do and usually the city enforces removal within days or property owners get heavy fines.
Donovan is a member of the Anti-Graffiti Policy Committee, and is one of several members that engages in "divisive, dishonest, or disrespectful...who lack the courage and integrity to communicate with people they disagree with or do the necessary research to uncover the truth before making sweeping public statements about an entire organization," said Reggie Moore, True Skool vice president of the Board of Directors and member of the Anti-Graffiti Policy Committee.
Moore says, "the board and staff of True Skool share Ald. Donovan's concerns about illegal vandalism, however his concern over this mural is both misinformed and the press conference held this morning was an embarrassment to me and this committee...True Skool is not an alternative school and receives no public dollars for its programming," as Donovan alleged in his press release.
True Skool is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and receives private funding.

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