This week on Fronteras:
· Texas Latinos have their say at the historic Democratic National Convention.
· Latino voters file lawsuit against the way Texas elects judges claiming it violates the Voting Rights Act.
· In San Diego, dismembered Honduran migrants raise awareness about the dangers of migrating by train.
· New Mexico’s efforts to test a backlog of sexual assault evidence next on Fronteras, first the news
· Incidents involving police and black residents have prompted one black pastor and a white cop to have regular conversations.
Clinton Makes History As Democratic Nominee
Hillary Clinton made history this week as she became the first woman nominated for president by a major political party.
Bernie Sanders: “Madam chair, I move that the convention suspend the procedural rule. I move that all votes, all votes cast by delegates be reflected in the official record and I move that Hillary Clinton be selected as the nominee of the Democratic party for president of the United States.”
Eva Longoria Speaks Out Against Trump At DNC
Texas actress Eva Longoria was one of many celebrities to take the stage at the Democratic National Convention this week. On Monday she told delegates she was personally insulted by Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump’s infamous 2015 comments on Mexican immigrants being rapists and killers. Longoria made note of the fact Texas was once part of Mexico and her family has been American for nine generations.
Longoria then said she would support Clinton. Eleven-year-old Karla Ortiz also spoke on Monday, asking delegates what would happen if her undocumented parents were deported. “I’m scared that at any moment, my mom and my dad will be forced to leave. And I wonder what will happen if I come home and I find it empty. I want to be a lawyer so I can help other families like us. I have hope.” Ortiz was born in Las Vegas Nevada.
Rep. Castro Expects Looks To Challenge Sen. Ted Cruz
San Antonio Congressman Joaquin Castro pumped up Texas Democrats Thursday with his vision of how their Party can become competitive in Texas again. Texas Public Radio's Ryan Poppe reports Castro also confirmed he may mount a campaign to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.
Latino Voters Sue Texas Over Way Judges Are Elected
More Texas Latinos are voicing election concerns. Lawyers representing six Latino voters in the Lone Star State recently filed another federal voting rights lawsuit. They argue the way we elect judges for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court violates the Voting Rights Act because it denies Latino voters an equal opportunity to elect judges of their choice. KUT’s Ashley Lopez reports.
Dismembered Honduran Migrants Warn Of Train Danger
Turning now to San Diego, where four Honduran migrants who risked their lives leaving their home country recently raised awareness about the danger they experienced. Each is missing at least one limb torn off by a cargo train they hopped on to get through Mexico.. They want the U.S. and Central American countries to work together to improve economic conditions so people won’t be tempted to jump on trains headed north and risk falling. Jean Guerrero of KPBS has the story.
New Mexico Steps Up Sexual Assault Evidence Testing
All around the country, states are trying to address a mounting number of untested sexual assault evidence kits. And even though New Mexico’s budget is tight,lawmakersfound $1.6 million dollars to work through the backlog. KUNM’s Marisa Demarco reports that is relieving frustration on all sides, police, advocates and victims.
Black Pastor And White Officer Break Bread And Boundaries
Since gunmen killed police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, group after group has called for a new kind of conversation across the nation. And in a suburb thirty miles north of Dallas, this conversation has been going on for months. KERA’s Stella Chavez sat down for lunch with two Frisco residents who’ve been bridging the gap in their lives – the white assistant police chief and a black pastor.
