The ACLU-NM Southwestern Chapter invites community members to a Constitution Day Celebration!

Stop by to hear speakers address Constitutional civil liberties issues that affect border residents. Also, don’t miss live performances by Singer-Songwriter Competition finalists singing their border ballads.

For more information contact (575) 388-2004 or aclu_swnm@q.com.

(DEADLINE AUGUST 20, 2010)

The Southwestern Chapter of the ACLU of New Mexico is sponsoring a singer/songwriter competition in connection with its annual meeting to be held Sept. 17. Due to growing controversy regarding immigration and other border issues, the ACLU is looking for songs that deal with issues of civil liberties relating to border issues, immigration and/or the Arizona law, SB 1070. The competition is open to all musicians in the border regions of West Texas, New Mexico and Arizona who write and perform in any musical genre. The prize will be a four-hour recording session provided by the co-sponsor, Barefoot Studio. All submissions must be original compositions of the artist/performer (maximum two entries per artist) made on an official entry form and submitted with a tape or CD recording of the entry along with a written copy of the lyrics.

Contest Rules

Official Entry Form

Mail entries to:

ACLU/Competition

c/o Peter Falley

521 E. Lance Dr., Silver City, N.M., 88061.

Settlement Agreement Secures More Training for Communication with Hearing Impaired Persons

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO)  to expand officer training on communication with hearing impaired persons. The settlement is a result of a lawsuit brought by the ACLU-NM in 2009 on behalf of a hearing impaired woman who was not provided a sign language interpreter during an encounter with BCSO deputies.

“Law enforcement work places officers in situations in which they must interact with many different kinds of people. Some of those people have special communications needs,” said ACLU-NM Executive Director Peter Simonson.

Under the terms of the settlement, the Board of County Commissioners for the County of Bernalillo agrees to take the following steps:

• The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department will distribute the United States Department of Justice Pamphlet entitled “Communicating With People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing” to all personnel assigned to the Sheriff’s Department. BCSO will also ensure that the county personnel assigned to the Emergency Communications Department are provided with information and procedures concerning the manner in which a certified Sign Language Interpreter may be contacted when necessary.
• Within one year, BCSO will provide refresher training to all supervisory and dispatch personnel concerning standard operating procedures for communicating with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Within one year, BCSO will collaborate with a local advocacy group for the hearing impaired to obtain information and materials to incorporate into the training curriculum at the BCSO law enforcement academy.

The additional training provided to deputies and support staff will help ensure that BCSO remains in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that the rights of the hearing impaired continue to be respected.

“We are extremely pleased that we are able to collaborate with the sheriff’s office to improve officer training,” said Simonson. “BCSO has reaffirmed their commitment to serving the hearing impaired community.”

ACLU-NM Cooperating Attorney George Bach of Bach & Garcia, LLC represented the plaintiff in this case.

Fight injustice with art! ART for Your RIGHTS is an ACLU-NM benefit bash with hip-hop emcee Hakim Bellamy, live bands, free food, cash bar,  spoken word performances and a silent art auction. We’re featuring a broad cross section of artists, artisans, musicians and performers who are donating their time and talent to help protect your rights, especially your right to free expression—no limits!

Save $5 by buying advance tickets today!

If you are an artist and are interested in donating art work, jewelry, services or catering to this event; or if you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please fill out the appropriate form, save the data and email to Valerie Torrez at vtorrez@aclu-nm.org.

Donation Form (Editable PDF)           Sponsor Form (Editable PDF)

You may also print the form and mail it to:

Check out some of the great art donated so far!

Music Lineup:

Native Roots

Native Roots was formed in 1997 by musician John L. Williams (Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux) and lyricist/vocalist Emmett “Shkeme” Garcia (Santa Ana Pueblo) to reach out with a message of pride, unity, and respect among all nations, through the universal language of music. This dynamic and award winning combination has produced three CD’s that have propelled Native Roots into the Native American and Reggae music scene as the premier Native American Reggae band whose music is 100% Native American written, produced, and performed.

Native Roots contributes their solid reggae foundation to the influence it has had on Native American communities. Native Roots is a natural extension of growing up, living and loving reggae music. John Williams’ extensive musical background in working with different styles of music has allowed him to incorporate various elements into the music without compromising the essential reggae feel.  In addition, “Shkeme’s” singing style reflects not only a variety of reggae styles, but also relects years of experience singing both traditional pueblo and pow wow music. The blending Native influences such as traditional drums, rattles, chants, language and flute, with a variety of reggae styles including ragamuffin, one drop, rockers, and dancehall, makes Native Roots music unique. Lyrical themes include the importance of traditional languages and culture, spirituality, respect for our elders, the sacredness of our youth, and love.

Zoology

In a land overrun by gangster rap and a mind state polluted with materialistic substance, Zoology was formed to advocate change. They are an underground movement spreading positive Hip Hop music to further the culture they represent. Consisting of long time members of the Albuquerque Hip Hop collective, Zoology formed together by chance and hasn’t looked back since. The band members include: Former Garbage Pail Kid and founder of Vinyl and Verses Hip Hop night-Flux 451, one half of Definition Rare and local battle hero-Wake Self, Producer/DJ and MPCist-Audiyo, Bassist and Producer-Jaime (Lil Skizzy), and Emcee/Producer/Drummer-Dahhm Life. Zoology is now working toward the completion of their first album, and performs countless shows even opening for several nationally recognized Hip Hop artists.

The 2BERS

In 1999 Luke Hale and Collin Troy (2bers) scraped together what cash they could, bought a sampler and a 4-track recorder, and got to work. Since then, the 2bers have become one of the most prominent Hip-Hop groups in New Mexico. Emotive and literate; the 2bers combine crunching breakbeats, gritty eloquence, and supple compositions to effuse a sound that lands somewhere between Atmosphere and Citizen Cope. Recognized as NM State’s Best Hip-Hop 2007, as well as the Weekly Alibi’s Best Hip-Hop 2008, the 2bers continue to expand with banging live shows and a chemistry that Marie Curie herself would want to study.

The Wychdokta Project

Where the funk, rock, jazz, hip hop and world beat meet;  this project incorporates foot percussion (aka tap dance) into the overall percussion section, includes bass, guitar, drums all tied up in one funky package.

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Hakim Bellamy

Hakim Bellamy is a two-time National Champion in the Poetry Slam scene. He was a member of the 2005 National Poetry Slam Champs Team Albuquerque. The following year he was a member of the 2006 College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational Champs Team UNM. One Albuquerque City Championship (2005) and 3 consecutive University of New Mexico LOBOSLAM titles later, Hakim respects the blessing, but could care less about winning poetry slams, as opposed to cultivating creativity. Hence, Hakim is in the process of adding playwright and actor to his resume. A resume that already includes: freelance journalist, community organizer and social justice advocate.

Special thanks to A4YR sponsors:

Brandy Torrez – catering

India Palace – catering

Golden Crown Panaderia – catering

Monroe’s – catering

All Is One Tattoo & Design – gift certificate

Betty’s Spa – gift certificate

Los Poblanos – gift certificate

Perfect Reflections – gift certificate

Saba Wear – live t-shirt screening

Sadie’s – gift certificates

Self Serve – gift basket

Steven Westman – gift certificate

Swank – gift basket

Transcendence Massage Therapy – gift certificates

From AlbuquerqueDonations.com – gift certificates

• 66 Diner
• Artichoke Cafe
• Azuma Sushi & Teppan
• Cashmere Rouge Spa
• Chocolate Café and Bakery
• Geckos Bar & Tapas
• Marcello’s Chophouse
• O’Neill’s
• The House of Bread
• Zea Rotisserie and Grill

PREVIEW

516 ARTS, in partnership with the ACLU-NM and local arts organizations, presents STREET ARTS: A Celebration of Hip Hop Culture & Free Expression, a multi-layered collaboration during October and November 2010 in Albuquerque, featuring local, national and international artists in a major exhibition at 516 ARTS, performing and literary arts events, mural projects, tours of street arts projects, panel discussions, workshops, a Spoken Word Festival and a Hip Hop Film Festival.

Many of the related programs and events focus on educating young people about their civil liberties. This project helps connect New Mexico artists, performers and audiences with a larger dialogue that is happening around the globe. Special guest performers for the Spoken Word Festival (November 4-7) include Amiri Baraka (New Jersey) and Cecil Taylor (New York), Kevin Coval (Chicago), Idris Goodwin (Iowa/New Mexico), Jonathan Khumbulani Nkala (South Africa), Amalia Ortiz (San Diego), and Saywut (New Mexico), among others.

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The lead organization for this collaboration is 516 ARTS, a vibrant, independent, nonprofit center for contemporary art in New Mexico and a hub for the arts in Downtown Albuquerque’s revitalization. Partnering organizations include the ACLU-NM, The Cell Theatre, Church of Beethoven, The City of Albuquerque Public Art Program, The Albuquerque Museum, ABQ-Ride, Downtown Action Team and Downtown Arts & Cultural District, Creative Albuquerque, The Guild Cinema, KiMo Theatre, National Hispanic Cultural Center, North 4th Art Center, Outpost Performance Space, Warehouse 508 and Working Classroom. 516 ARTS will publish a guide to the STREET ARTS celebration, and partnering organizations will participate in a shared marketing campaign. Stay tuned!