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Break the silence: Mental health in the Latino community

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Peninsula 360 Press

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2024.08.31

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Break the silence: Mental health in the Latino community

Mental Health in the Latino Community — Mental health in the Latino community often suffers from a lack of information and fear of being judged, which prevents them from speaking openly about emotional problems and seeking help. In 2020, 40.31 TP3T of Hispanic adults reported symptoms of depression, compared to 25.31 TP3T of non-Hispanic white adults in the United States.

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Mental health is a fundamental aspect of our well-being, but unfortunately, it remains a taboo topic in many Latino communities. Often, a lack of information and fear of being judged prevent us from speaking openly about our emotional problems and seeking help.

In 2020, 40.3% of Hispanic adults reported symptoms of depression, compared to 25.3% of non-Hispanic white adults in the United States. The prevalence of depression among Hispanics in the United States has been found to be 33% for women. In a research conducted by Eghaneyan and Murphy they mention that “while the phenomenon of women being more likely to be depressed than men is consistent across ethnic groups, it is more prominent in Hispanic subgroups.” (Eghaneyan, BH, et al., 2019).

Culture affects how Latinas deal with and cope with their problems, specifically in fulfilling their roles as mothers and family caregivers. Hispanic women are very strong. “It’s hard to say that we are sick. It’s hard for women to accept that we need help.”

One of the biggest challenges facing Latinos in the United States is the lack of access to culturally relevant mental health services. Language barriers and the lack of cultural competence of some health providers exacerbate this problem, leaving many people feeling misunderstood or misdiagnosed when seeking help. This is particularly true for recent immigrants, who also face the added stress of legal status and separation from their families.

“Many people in our community still view mental disorders as a sign of weakness or even as a divine punishment. This stigma can lead people to not seek professional help and instead keep their problems a secret. It is essential to understand that mental health requires professional medical and psychological care,” says Dr. Anna Lee Mraz in an interview for Por la Libre, a Peninsula 360 Press Radio program.

It is crucial that all of us start to see mental health as an integral part of our overall wellbeing. Talking openly about these issues, educating ourselves, and supporting our loved ones who may be struggling is critical to breaking the cycle of silence and stigma.

Recommendations:

Consult your doctor, who can refer you to:

The Clinic of the Race (510) 535-6200

One Life Counseling Services (650) 394-5155

Women united and active (415) 621-8140

To strengthen mental health, there are also several strategies based on studies that can be especially effective for Latino migrant communities in the United States. One of the main recommendations is to strengthen social support networks, since maintaining close relationships with friends and family provides a sense of belonging and emotional support crucial for mental health.

Research has shown that social support can act as a buffer against stress and anxiety, and in Latino communities, where family ties are often strong, leveraging these connections can be especially beneficial.

Regular physical activity not only improves physical health, but also reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. “It has been proven that doing 30 minutes of exercise a day can improve mood and act as a complementary treatment for mental health problems,” says Dr. Anna Lee Mraz in an interview for Por la Libre, a radio program on Peninsula 360 Press.

The practice of mindfulness and meditation is also helpful in reducing stress and improving emotional well-being, helping people better manage their emotions, especially those experiencing stress due to immigration and cultural adaptation.

Encouraging creative expression through activities such as art, music or writing can be another effective way to reduce stress and connect emotionally, taking advantage of the rich cultural heritage of the Latino community.

Finally, increasing mental health education and awareness can help reduce the associated stigma and encourage help-seeking when needed by providing information on how to care for one’s mental health and when to seek professional support, even if therapy is not an immediate option. Implementing these strategies offers accessible and culturally appropriate alternatives to improve emotional well-being in these communities.

You may be interested in: Medicaid: An opportunity to break the health disparity

San Mateo County residents to get new health and dental care center

Pamela Cruz

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2024.08.30

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North County Wellness Center: San Mateo County residents will have a new health and dental care center — Local officials and county leaders broke ground on the ambitious $132.5 million North County Wellness Center that will be located at 1024 Mission Road, near BART and SamTrans stations. Photo: San Mateo County

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Visitors to the North County Wellness Center will be greeted in a bright, naturally lit reception area with natural wood walls and windows overlooking a garden. They will be directed through wide hallways to a health clinic, dental suite and private areas where they can learn about and apply for health insurance, nutritional assistance and additional social services.

Local officials and county leaders have broken ground on the ambitious $132.5 million center that will be located at 1024 Mission Road, near BART and SamTrans stations.

“This center brings essential services closer to residents who rely on the county and our partners for health care, dental care and more,” said San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine, whose District 1 includes the Wellness Center.

“Once completed, individuals and families across North County will be able to meet with specialists to verify their eligibility and apply for assistance for programs like CalFresh and low-cost child care, all under one roof,” she said.

When it opens in 2026, the center’s clinics will primarily serve individuals and families who receive care for or are eligible for Medi-Cal, which offers free or low-cost programs.

In addition to the services provided by the County Health Department and Human Services Agency, the three-story, 77,000-square-foot building will also provide satellite offices for the District Attorney and Treasurer/Tax Collector.

The Wellness Center's design, described by the architect as contemporary, uses a large amount of natural wood instead of the synthetic materials commonly found in paneling and ceiling tiles.

“We want to create an environment where people are happy or feel encouraged to be here,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman David Canepa, whose District 5 includes areas of South San Francisco.

“People can come here with a lot of stress: they are here to see a doctor or to seek some kind of public assistance. We want to avoid that feeling that you get in so many public buildings, where the concrete walls, the poor lighting and the narrow rooms seem to crush you,” he said.

County officials were joined at the groundbreaking ceremony by local officials and civic leaders.

The Wellness Center will be one of the first healthcare buildings constructed from cross-laminated timber, which consists of layers of wood bonded together with adhesives.

Timber construction and the inclusion of electric vehicle chargers, bicycle parking, native plants, solar power stations and other sustainable features put the County on track to achieve LEED Gold Certification.

Funding for this new facility comes from the County General Fund and Measure K, the countywide half-cent sales tax that provides local funding for local needs.

You may be interested in: Medicaid: An opportunity to break the health disparity

East Palo Alto to proclaim September as Suicide Prevention Month

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Pamela Cruz

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2024.08.30

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La ciudad de East Palo Alto está dando un paso importante hacia la concientización sobre la salud mental y la prevención del suicidio al designar oficialmente septiembre de 2024 como el Mes de la Prevención del Suicidio (SPM).

Esta proclamación se realizará durante la reunión del Concejo Municipal el 3 de septiembre de 2024, lo que refleja el compromiso de la ciudad de fomentar una comunidad solidaria y empoderar a los residentes para prevenir el suicidio.

El tema de 2024 para el Mes de la Prevención del Suicidio, “El amor sobre la soledad”, subraya la importancia de la conexión social para combatir la soledad, un tema crítico en la actualidad.

A principios de este año, la Junta de Supervisores del Condado de San Mateo aprobó una resolución que declaraba la soledad como una crisis de salud pública, enfatizando la necesidad de promover la conexión social dentro de nuestras comunidades.

Según la Encuesta de salud y calidad de vida del condado de San Mateo de 2023, 45 por ciento de los residentes informaron haber experimentado dificultades con la soledad y el aislamiento. Ahora más que nunca, es vital que encontremos formas de conectarnos unos con otros.

Cada año, la Oficina de Diversidad y Equidad de Servicios de Recuperación y Salud Conductual del Condado de San Mateo y el Comité de Prevención del Suicidio publican un Calendario de Eventos que promueve ampliamente las actividades del Mes de la Prevención del Suicidio entre los proveedores locales, los socios y la comunidad.

La ciudad de East Palo Alto hizo un llamado a sus residentes a que se apoyen mutuamente reconociendo las señales de suicidio, encontrando las palabras para iniciar una conversación y comunicándose con recursos locales, como la línea directa de crisis StarVista del condado de San Mateo al (650) 579-0350 o el Línea Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio al 988 o al 1-800-273-TALK.

Asimismo, manifestó seguir comprometido con la concientización sobre la salud mental como parte de la Iniciativa de Salud Mental de los Alcaldes del Condado de San Mateo. Dicho esfuerzo a nivel de condado reúne a alcaldes de 20 ciudades con el objetivo compartido de promover el acceso a recursos de salud mental y aumentar la conciencia dentro de sus comunidades.

Finalmente, el Concejo Municipal de East Palo Alto hizo un llamado a todos los residentes a encontrar su papel en la prevención del suicidio y unirse al esfuerzo para crear una comunidad más segura y solidaria para todos.

“Unámonos para ‘conocer las señales, encontrar las palabras y extender la mano’”.

You may be interested in: Poor mental health, low access to health services among biggest challenges in San Mateo County: study

San Mateo County Goes After Employers Who Defraud Their Workers

Community

Pamela Cruz

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2024.08.30

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San Mateo County Goes After Employers Who Defraud Their Workers

Employers who scam — Employers who cheat are a concern for San Mateo County. A grant of nearly $740,000 was unanimously accepted, which will serve to strengthen efforts to investigate and prosecute deceitful employers who try to defraud their workers out of the wages they are entitled to.

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The the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously accepted a grant of nearly $740,000, which will be used to strengthen efforts to investigate and prosecute deceitful employers who try to defraud their workers out of paying them the wages they are entitled to.

The state grant will fund a new deputy district attorney and a supporting investigator, as well as provide additional forensic audit resources for the District Attorney's Office to investigate what are often complex cases.

The county noted that the $739,396 grant provides funding as county officials launch a new Office of Labor Standards and Compliance, which will be a partnership between the County Executive's Office, the County Attorney's Office and the District Attorney's Office.

“The Board of Supervisors’ approval of the District Attorney’s Wage Theft Program will allow my office to investigate and prosecute employers who rob their employees of their hard-earned wages,” said District Attorney Stephen M. Wagstaff. “With a full-time prosecutor and investigator, justice for employee victims is now possible.”

The office, once established, will also work with employers to inform them of their rights and the rights of workers.

“We are grateful to District Attorney Wagstaffe, Deputy District Attorney Jill Nerone, and the District Attorney’s Office for prioritizing the investigation and prosecution of these cases, providing justice for victims of wage theft, and ultimately deterring others from abusing vulnerable workers in this manner,” said Supervisor Ray Mueller, who along with Supervisor Dave Pine presented the proposal to create the office to the full Board.

Local officials say there is a pressing need to devote more resources to preventing and investigating wage theft.

According to experts, low-wage earners, women, people of color, non-English speaking workers, and the foreign-born are at particular risk of wage theft.

Examples of wage theft include unpaid wages, being paid less than minimum wage, failure to accrue sick leave or overtime pay, and unauthorized payroll deductions, among others.

Last year, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to create the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement with the mission of helping victims of wage theft recover stolen wages.

You may be interested in: The XVI Week of Labor Rights for Mexicans opens in San Francisco

Reform of the Judicial Branch is not a fact, it remains to be seen what Sheinbaum decides: José Íñiguez, professor at UNAM

sandra martinez

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2024.08.28

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Reform of the Judicial Branch is not a fact, it remains to be seen what Sheinbaum decides: José Íñiguez, professor at UNAM

Reform of the Judiciary — The reform of the Judicial Branch has a process to conclude, so there is enough time to let the virtual president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, give her opinion and make the necessary adjustments, José Martín Íñiguez, professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

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The Reform to the Judicial Branch promoted by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has generated criticism at national and international level for the election of judges through popular vote, an issue that will be left in the hands of Claudia Sheinbaum due to the procedural stage, time that will allow the president-elect to make personal changes, said José Martín Íñiguez, professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

José Martín Íñiguez Ramos, professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences at UNAM, commented in an interview during the radio program Península 360 Press and Hecho en California with Marcos Gutiérrez, that this reform still has a process to conclude, so there is enough time to let the virtual president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, give her opinion and make the necessary adjustments.

“They left the field cleared for the reforms to be approved, but this will not happen like this, because it would put Claudia Sheinbaum in a very weak position, especially before Mexican society, commercial partners and other countries… I do not believe that she would be capable of shooting herself in the foot, deep down she does not agree,” added the professor at the Universidad Iberoamericana (IBERO).

The document presented by the Mexican Government proposes modifying Article 95 of the Constitution, which would allow judges to be elected by direct and secret vote for a period of up to 12 years, changing the current 15 years; in the case of the ministers of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN), they would last 8, 11 and 14 years, depending on the results of the vote.

The Federal Judicial Council would lose the right to appoint judges and magistrates as it currently has, since the ministers are proposed by the president through a list of three candidates and the winner must have the support of at least two thirds of the current senators.

In this regard, Iñiguez stressed that, by electing judges, magistrates and ministers through popular vote, there would not be a good process, since in reality the winner would be the one who makes the best campaign, which opens a huge field to various powers such as organized crime, business, civil society, pressure groups and more, who can place their own candidates.

“It puts at risk the capacity of those who will lead in power, since a young graduate is not the same as a person who has spent years making a meritorious career for a position like these and that is when the important question arises: who is going to pay for the campaigns of these candidates? And if the number of candidates is exceeded, it will be decided through a raffle, which is illogical,” he pointed out.

If approved, elections to renew ministers, magistrates and judges would be held in 2025, the head of the Ministry of the Interior, Luisa María Alcalde, reported in February.

The reform is at the federal level, the positions that would be put to popular election are 1,600 and it is divided into two stages, June 2025 and 2027, two years later, but this is only a proposal that should be approved by both chambers.

Professor Íñiguez explained that not everything is due to the popular vote, since it is necessary to mention that within these modifications many benefits that are excessive and unnecessary will be removed, it is the part that can be rescued and that is important to adjust.

The Stanford Law School Rule of Law Impact Lab and the Mexican Bar Association warned that this reform “constitutes a direct threat to judicial independence, violates international standards, and undermines democracy in Mexico.”

The letter issued by the United States ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, on August 22 was very drastic, said Íñiguez, saying that it is putting at risk not only the T-MEC (Free Trade Agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico), but also foreign investments, since it has already been approved by the committees, which is why it attracts the attention of foreign investors.

The reform of the Judicial Branch is an issue that must be analyzed in due time, as Claudia Sheinbaum has stated, leaving the opportunity to make her own reform with sufficient time to analyze, adjust and propose for consideration, she specified.

“She has not yet taken power and can only give her opinions for the moment and, unlike López Obrador, her cabinet is more technical, more professional, since the people who will be at her side are more professional and there will be two forms of government, so it remains to be seen what she decides,” emphasized also a professor of the armed forces at the Center for Higher Naval Studies.

This Wednesday, August 28, Claudia Sheinbaum called on the Morena bench in the Chamber of Deputies not to accelerate the discussion of the reform to the Judicial Branch, which is part of a package of 20 reforms to modify various parts of the Constitution, because she assures that the procedural stage must be respected and that she will send her own proposal after October 1, a fact that confirmed what was stated by Professor Íñiguez.

You may be interested in: Mexico pauses relations with US and Canadian embassies following statements on judicial reform

The XVI Week of Labor Rights for Mexicans opens in San Francisco

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Raul Ayrala

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2024.08.28

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The XVI Week of Labor Rights for Mexicans opens in San Francisco

Labor Rights Week Mexican Consulate in San Francisco — The 16th Mexican Labor Rights Week was inaugurated in San Francisco, organized by the local Consulate, offering talks and resources for workers.

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Labor Rights Week, in its 16th edition, is taking place at the Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco, and in 2024 the motto is “Rights, health and working people: The power of collaboration.”

At the inauguration ceremony held on Monday, August 26 between ten and eleven in the morning, not only the new Mexican consul, Ana Luisa Vallejo, was present, but also representatives of federal and state agencies such as the National Department of Labor Relations and the California Agricultural Labor Board, among others.

Referring to the theme of these events, Consul Vallejo said that the objective of the diplomatic representation, during the week, as throughout the year, is to work together with the agencies so that the cases of Mexicans whose rights at work are affected are brought before these authorities and a solution can be found.

According to Vallejo, it is imperative and urgent that his fellow citizens who live and work in the Bay Area know what their rights are, regardless of their immigration status.

"We want them to know that they can count on the Consulate as a safe space," said the diplomat, for example: if they have done a job and have not been paid, and are afraid to complain; or if they are injured and are not paid what they are owed, she stressed.

“The Consulate is here to support you,” said Vallejo.

Some of the panels in this series can be viewed on Facebook Live, such as “Know your family rights” this Wednesday, August 28 at 11 a.m., led by lawyer María Antonieta Grasso.

On Thursday the 29th, José Nevarez (Cal-OSHA) will be speaking on Facebook at 12 noon about preventing heat-related illnesses. The talk will be repeated on Friday the 30th at the same time.

To access the panels you must log in to the Facebook of the Consulate.

Other talks will take place at the consulate, located at 545 Folsom Street, in the city's financial district and very close to the Embarcadero. Admission is free.

Exhibitor calendar for August 29 and 30:

Thursday 29th:

– 8 to 10 am: Gisselle Pérez, Federal Commission for Equal Employment Opportunities.

– 9 to 11 am: Evelyn Prieto, Salary and Hours Division of the federal Department of Labor.

– 12:30 pm to 2 pm: Armando Islas, Department of Labor.

Friday 30th:

– 9 to 11 am: Olive Kersey, Clara Nowinski and Michela Panichella, International Rescue Committee (Trafficking in Persons).

– 11 am to 12:30 pm: Tania García-O'Higgins, Introduction to labor trafficking, SHADE Movement.

If you are experiencing problems at work, including discrimination, physical or verbal abuse, sexual harassment, non-payment of wages, threats of dismissal or deportation, etc., the Consulate urges you to call the toll-free telephone line 1-877 – 55 – AYUDA (1 – 877 – 552 – 9832).

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Funding approved for largest affordable housing project in San Mateo County history

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Pamela Cruz

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2024.08.28

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Funding approved for largest affordable housing project in San Mateo County history

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The largest affordable housing project in San Mateo County history received key financial support from the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, August 27.

By unanimous vote, supervisors approved a $14 million loan that will spur construction at Midway Village, located near Cow Palace in Daly City's Bayshore neighborhood.

“This is probably one of the most transformative projects in terms of housing in San Mateo County ever,” said board Vice President David Canepa, whose District 5 includes Midway Village. “We’re looking at building 555 units. This is incredible.”

The County, through the Housing Authority, is working with partners to transform and expand Midway Village into a neighborhood that showcases affordable housing in the modern era.

The new housing will also help achieve the goal of “zero functional homelessness” — when the social services system can prevent homelessness whenever possible and ensure that when it does occur, it is infrequent, brief and one-time only, the county said in a statement.

“This area in particular needs a lot of help,” Canepa said, noting that the area has lower median incomes than most other areas on the peninsula. “We’ve talked about the need for affordable housing. This is really going to do that.”

Facilities will include a daycare center, a community garden, an exercise room, a meeting space and outdoor recreation areas.

Local officials say residents will include former foster youth, who will be offered a variety of support services, as well as individuals and families and people who previously experienced homelessness.

The original Midway Village, with 150 units, opened in the mid-1970s to provide housing for low-income individuals and families on the site of a former gasworks and World War II Navy housing. Redevelopment is taking place in stages.

Led by nonprofit housing developer MidPen Housing, construction of Phase 1 was completed in May 2024, providing 147 affordable housing units and a parking garage that will serve Phase 1 and Phase 2 residents. Current Midway Village residents have priority for the new housing.

The approval of the loan granted on Tuesday will kick off the development of Phase 2, which includes a total of 111 units ranging from studios to four bedrooms along with two additional units for on-site managers.

“We applaud San Mateo County for its critical commitment to the final piece of funding for Phase 2 of Midway Village, which will bring 111 affordable homes for families and a new child care center to Daly City,” said Matthew O. Franklin, President and CEO of MidPen Housing.

“We welcomed 147 families and individuals to Phase 1 this year, and with Phase 2 starting in early 2025, we are excited to continue moving toward a total of 555 new affordable homes over four phases,” he added.

Qualified applicants must meet certain income and other requirements. Most units, for example, are reserved for individuals or families earning between 15 and 60 percent of the area median income.

Of the 111 units, 29 are reserved for clients of the county's Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, which offers supportive services such as case management and counseling.

All 150 existing Midway Village households are eligible to live in Phase 1 or Phase 2 apartments without having to undergo temporary relocation.

Phases 3 and 4 will provide additional affordable housing, including some homeownership opportunities. Phase 5 will provide a large public park with playing fields and play structures operated by the City of Daly City.

“This field will give access to a community that does not have a field, whether it is for soccer or American football,” said Canepa.

You may be interested in: Nearly $14 million awarded for permanent supportive housing in South San Francisco

The adulteration of facts is a political instrument: UNAM

Peninsula 360 Press

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2024.08.27

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Education is a powerful tool to counteract disinformation, a phenomenon that has become a “cancer” for societies. In the face of the manipulation of information, a digital citizenship is needed that is well-versed in the ability to discern between contents, experts said.

At the press conference “Does disinformation demand media literacy?, organized by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the United States Embassy in Mexico, Raúl Trejo Delarbre, researcher at the Institute for Social Research of this university, stated that the distortion of facts has been a deliberate practice throughout world history.

Along the same lines, Geysha González, director of operations at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), based in Washington, DC, explained that disinformation is the manipulation of information with the intention of blurring the line between what is reality and what is fiction.

Today, “aggressor actors are trying to push false narratives” that attempt to suppress that line, he said.

Adulteration is a political instrument, but the characteristic of today is that with the rise and global and multitudinous use of social-digital networks “we are more exposed to the fabrication of falsehoods.” Unlike what we see in the media, the information that appears in them is de-hierarchized, jumbled, confusing and brief, Trejo Delarbre said.

The specialist in media and social-digital media, and member of the Institute for the Democratic Transition, the Mexican Association for the Right to Information and the Mexican Association of Communication Researchers, added that there are people who only learn about political and electoral issues through the networks; they do not read newspapers and their prejudices are reinforced.

In this regard, he said that, additionally, we are currently faced with the possibility that these digital tools, in addition to the lies told by political actors, contain false content created with generative artificial intelligence resources, which create videos, audios or texts.

“This way of deceiving people is just one way of distorting the public debate that is necessary in any democracy,” he warned.

In light of this, he proposed that companies label their content in an indelible manner so that it is known whether each material is artificial or not. In addition, the role of the media is fundamental because “no one can assess or examine the content better than information professionals,” he explained.

Raúl Trejo suggested that society at least try to discriminate between false and true content, and that each person ask themselves whether it is true or not before forwarding it.

Freedom of expression is sacred and must be inviolable, he said, but it does not exist if there are no guarantees from the State; and this requires plurality.

"There are governments that set themselves up as truth-tellers, and want to tell society what is false and what is true. And here we face the risk that the biases that each one has will prevail and, instead of verifiers, we will have 'pontiffs' of truth," he said.

For this reason, he insisted, we must encourage digital citizenship, without forgetting that there is no freedom that is absolute and does not require laws. The same applies to freedom of expression to protect the privacy and honorability of people against defamation, he concluded.

Returning to the use of the word, Geysha González explained that this phenomenon is a “cancer in our societies,” which affects communication with each other, health (as occurred with the issue of vaccines during the pandemic), the way in which important issues are discussed, and “it separates us.” Moreover, it does so effectively.

Social media, he recalled, is a business that is not based on true or false facts, but on how much time the public spends on them. Therefore, he considered, the most appropriate way to counter misinformation “is the individual.”

In this regard, he mentioned that misinformation is like smoking: addictive; the world loves to know, “click,” follow; “but cigarettes cause cancer, and despite this, people decide to smoke.”

As citizens concerned about democracy and the future, the most important thing should be individuals, who must verify the information, and seek the truth and the facts. “The citizen has the responsibility, and the power, to know the truth.”

The most valuable thing about democratic societies is that no one can restrict freedom of expression; “you can say your opinion and express yourself.” In that sense, the solution is not to restrict it. Civil society and journalists, for example, can participate in verifying what is true, he stressed.

One in three people in the United States get their news information on TikTok. Each individual has a responsibility and needs the tools to identify it on social media, Gonzalez added.

Democracy is failing and losing in the global competition as to what is real and what is false; “we are not countering the falsehoods that are spread in society.” To achieve this, he reiterated, education is the most powerful tool.

You may be interested in: “Donald Trump has lost strength because of his polarizing comments”: Anna Lee Mraz, sociologist

Mexico pauses relations with US and Canadian embassies following statements on judicial reform

Pamela Cruz

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2024.08.27

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During his morning press conference, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced that relations with the embassies of the United States and Canada are on hold, after speaking out regarding the Judicial Reform, which seeks to have federal judges elected by direct vote.

“With all due respect, this is not a matter of dispute or enmity, but how can we allow him to give his opinion on what we are doing? We are not going to tell him to leave the country, no, but we do have to read him the Constitution, which is like reading him the riot act,” said the Mexican president.

The relationship with Ken Salazar, the United States ambassador to Mexico, he said, “is good, but it is on hold,” which he specified since he issued a letter on the proposal for Judicial Reform in Mexico on August 22.

“Pausing means that we are going to take our time, because hopefully the State Department… because it is not the State Department either, what a coincidence that at the same time that they are speaking out in Mexico, through the Embassy, the Canadians are doing so, which is also 'embarrassing', with all due respect to the Canadian government. It seems like an associated State,” he stressed.

In his remarks, Ken Salazar, while saying he respects the country's sovereignty, said that as leaders in Mexico consider judicial reform, he hopes the ultimate outcome will lead to a strong and independent judiciary.

“Based on my lifelong experience supporting the rule of law, I believe that the direct election of judges represents a major risk to the functioning of Mexico’s democracy. Any judicial reform must have safeguards that ensure that the judiciary is strengthened and not subject to the corruption of politics,” the U.S. ambassador said.

He also said that the debate over the direct election of judges in these times, as well as the “fierce politics” if the elections of judges in 2025 and 2027 were approved, threaten the historic commercial relationship between Mexico and the United States, which, he said, depends on the confidence of investors in Mexico's legal framework.

In that regard, Salazar explained that direct elections could also make it easier for cartels and other malicious actors to take advantage of inexperienced judges with political motivations.

“We understand the importance of Mexico’s fight against judicial corruption. However, direct and political election of judges, in my view, will not solve judicial corruption nor strengthen the judiciary. It would also undermine efforts to realize North American economic integration and create turbulence, as the debate over direct election will continue for years to come,” the diplomat added.

He also stressed that a strengthened judiciary in Mexico must have judges capable of handling complex litigation for extraditions, commercial disputes and other issues.

“However, the proposal, as it stands, eliminates the necessary requirements for having the most qualified judges, including reducing the years of experience required to serve at all levels of the judiciary.”

You may be interested in: Mexican migrants generate $338 billion annually in the U.S.: Andrés Manuel López Obrador

Prosecuting hate crimes: a constant challenge without legal clarity

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sandra martinez

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2024.08.27

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Prosecuting hate crimes: a constant challenge without legal clarity

A hate crime can take years to be prosecuted without providing justice to the victim. In 2023 alone, California law enforcement reported a total of 1,970 hate crimes, but only five went to trial, according to data from the California Attorney General's Office.

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A hate crime can take years to prosecute without bringing justice to the victim; in 2023 alone, California law enforcement reported a total of 1,970 hate crimes, but only five went to trial, according to data from the California Attorney General's Office.

In 2021, as the state experienced an alarming uptick in hate violence, only one case went to trial. People of African descent are overwhelmingly the targets of such crimes, while Jewish, Muslim and LGBTQ+ people are also experiencing a rise in bias-motivated attacks.

Hate crimes are notoriously difficult to prove, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said, echoing comments from his counterparts across the country. Despite the discouraging data, experts said during a briefing by the California Attorney General, Ethnic Media Services, that it is important to report hate crimes, even if conviction rates are low.

Monthanus Ratanapakdee, whose father was killed in what appeared to be a hate crime, said it is very difficult to classify this case as one, because there is not enough evidence to qualify it and even if it is obvious, prosecutors are asking for more clear evidence.

The family is demanding justice for what happened and hopes it will be judged as a hate crime. Ratanapakdee said it is important to fight for justice and provide security to vulnerable communities so that this act does not happen again.

Kunni, a waitress who was pepper-sprayed while her attackers shouted “go back to your country,” spoke about her case and how difficult it has been to move on with her life after what happened.

She explained that when the police arrived, a report was filed, witnesses were asked for and the video they had was provided, however, nothing was sufficient and the police said it was not a hate crime. It was concluded that the attack was due to not providing them with attention at the pool table and that the person who attacked her with pepper spray was not charged with any crime.

“I have had to go to the psychologist every Wednesday to deal with my anxiety and I still feel it every time I walk down the street. I don’t feel safe and I’m scared. I have post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Kunni, who said that “after this attack, nothing is the same.”

Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Erin West said that in hate crime cases, there are always at least two people on the case who are looking out for the matter and these issues are handled very delicately.

He also deeply regretted the feelings of the victims, as they are inflicted with damage that is impossible to repair.

West spoke of the challenges faced when working on suspected hate cases, as it must be determined that these were acts of hate rather than circumstances; to be certain, one must try to prove how the person who attacked was thinking in order to confirm their true intentions.

“Santa Clara County reported that last year it had 32 cases of hate crimes and of those 20 were considered as such, but none have reached trial, so the statistics leave a large bias between the numbers,” he stressed.

Manjusha Kulkarni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, said there are some challenges facing hate crime cases that prevent resolution, such as police not considering certain acts as hate.

Many cases are not considered hate crimes because it is not clear whether the intention was to harm the community in a circumstantial manner or whether it was an opportunity to gain some benefit, so in order to have more clarity, the legal statutes must be expanded.

In this regard, Kulkarni called on the population to put an end to hatred. There are 173 thousand associations that work to protect various vulnerable communities, because it is important to fight to resolve cases of hatred, but it is more important to prevent them and heal communities to avoid more acts of this kind.

“We are one of the most diverse countries, we are the fifth largest economy in the world and we must stop the hate that hurts marginalized communities and that is why we need all the comprehensive approaches and support available,” she concluded.

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