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by Maria Guadalupe Martos
(06/23/2020) COVID-19 has turned our world upside down. Week after week we are faced with this virus that has taken so many lives worldwide. Mayor Ken Miyagishima of Las Cruces, NM had this to say in a recent interview on the topic. “The challenge is having to deal with people feeling like their rights are being taken away. I can understand that, but when they are venturing out into the public where do their rights stop and then begin?”
Should we have the right to go out into our community? What if we are not taking the proper steps to ensure the protection of our high-risk community members? Should we be required to take certain steps in accordance with the CDC, or do we listen to leaders telling us the virus can’t hurt us? In recent weeks we have experienced intense political demonstrations from both sides of the aisle. Earlier during this quarantine, we witnessed Americans protesting the shutdown calling it government control. Now we are faced with the black lives matter movement that has swept us all after several unjust situations with African – Americans and law enforcement.
People are truly confused! What is right and what is wrong? How do we protect ourselves from this virus, yet still go out and make money to put food on the table? What I gather from my interview with the mayor of Las Cruces is that our city is dependent on our state’s leadership in addressing this situation. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has done all that she believes will protect New Mexicans against this virus, but I would say that the southern New Mexican experience is much more different from the Northern New Mexican. I’d like to see more being done to educate our community of Las Cruces on how to stay safe during this time.
How often do you wash your hands? Are you wearing a mask in public? How often are you traveling to public places, and are you sure to wash and sanitize your hands accordingly. I truly believe we as a people have a responsibility to hold ourselves accountable.
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As for the recent unjust situations in Minneapolis and other parts of the United States. It is evident that somethings must be done at a federal level to ensure we all feel more comfortable with our law enforcement. Mayor of Las Cruces Ken Miyagishima says, “that we have to go to the systemic root of racism to address the problem.” He also mentions in his interview how he admires this generation and their active approach in addressing this issue head on – taking a stand that enough is enough.
Not all cops are bad, but research shows that not all cops are great either. So how do we address this problem? The first thing we must always consider is how great it is to live in such a beautiful, inclusive, and diverse area. An area where we aren’t regularly met with racism and unjust leadership.
I am personally lucky to know incredible law enforcement officers that would never wrongfully use their uniform. But I’d be ignorant to say that all officers are that way. White supremacy is a disease many Americans are unfortunately battling still today. Being a movie buff, I always think of the film American History X. This story of characters who live this reality of white supremacy is twisted and scary. It is important for our leaderships to take responsibility to educate and teach right from wrong; fairness, justice, and the true history of the United States of America.
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The continued violence against citizens by police was recently exposed in an article in the las cruces sun news, the lack of a police department auditor who investigates citizens complaints against law enforcement at the las cruces police department.
Several years ago when citizens called for a formation of a citizens police review board, promises by the mayor and city council where met with resisting excuses, as to the why not, feasibility of such a bold move to find a solution to police brutality issues.
The feasibility as to the why not continued, through out the discussions always led by the mayor Ken Miagishima.
The mayors continued support for the status quo system of abuse was unconscionable. Although the final answer was not a citizens review police board but an auditor to investigate citizens complaint, although the promise made by the mayor and city council for action to be taken, was not an internal hiring of an auditor was made the problem was, it was to hire and agency outside the internal police department but rather an agency based out side the las cruces police department who would evaluate citizens complaints and report back to the mayor and city manager and eventually to the city council.
Thus, the continued coverup of police brutally issues, with the added twist of secrecy, which then the mayor could use as an excuse to say, he, they as a mayor and city council were on top of the citizens complaint issues , that way quelling accountability issues .
No, matter that the police brutality issues and even murdering of citizens by police, could continue to happen with no accountability.
Over those troubling years that followed hundreds of police brutality issue and several police shooting of citizens resulting in death have continued.
With the continued equipment of military excess gear presence, in our police department things have gotten worse not better.
The las cruces city police department have even been untouchable through continued pro police mentality as an example by our city government use of force policies and do no wrong destruction of private property in the performance of official police duties.
All responsibility of homes being destroyed in the performance of official police duties, has been met by internal risk management coverups, thus leaving the city of las cruces non- accountable for property damage.
Home owners caught up in police raids have had to bare the assault and destruction on private property by las cruces law enforcement, with no redress for damages on a citizens property, by police.
All in the name of the rule of law, escape goat excuses. Rarely questioned by the citizens after the media portrays the victims of such unconscionable behavior by law enforcement as deserving based on presumptions of guilt. And often aided and abetted by all involved the media to the judicial system in place where they all coverup criminal behavior by law enforcement at every level of law enforcement, including risk management.
No m, sooner than the police destroy a citizens property, or take a citizens life are the excuses ready to Lear the actions taken against the citizen and or his property ready to criminalize the victim, even on a presumed innocent until proven guilty bases.
Which in the cases of police shootings comes quickly by the local district attorney after a covered up investigation. Which is always ruled justifiable by the local district attorney, no matter the political party affiliation or gender of the district attorney.
Police officers and those unions that protect police officers know this, as do many if not all involved in criminal justice system and those elected to a position of power at all levels of our New Mexico government.
Since the inception of state hood in 1912, but many years prior to statehood New Mexico the land of enchantment has been known to be corrupt not only in our judicial system but all of our view points on the rule of law, the land of enchantment glorified criminals, and why not we have an abundance of criminals in high offices who use the law to coverup criminal behavior.
If we as New Mexicans truly want justice to prevail in a nation and state where no one is above the law, then we must face the reality that it only takes a second to become a criminal even when wearing a badge or political title and again we have no shortage of coverups and criminals..
Admit the truth and it shall set you free, deny it and you remain aiding and abetting criminal behavior, where does it end. As we can see there is no end as if today’s and last weeks revelations of no police auditor, but plenty of excuses as to why,not, leave it to the mayor miyagishima and city council and our city manager and police chief to answer that one ..!!
Lies and more lies to cover up incompetence…!!!!