WHAT: NM Women's March Rally: Dissent, Persist, Vote
WHERE: Civic Plaza
WHEN: Saturday, October 17th - 1PM

Women have had enough. We have suffered through this season of pandemics: a pandemic of public health, of white nationalism, of climate crisis, of family care. This has fallen on us, and drained us. We are rising up to shift our future, and we welcome all who share that vision. We can birth a new world.

We are ALL IN to vote
1. VOTE
2. MARCH
3. SHARE

Bring non-perishable food items to donate to Albuquerque Mutual Aid.
Please wear a mask, maintain distance, and wash your hands. We do not feel it is safe to provide portable bathrooms. Please plan accordingly.

Our Mass Based Organizer and incredibly skilled artist, Joe Stacey, put together this Super themed SOMOS exhibit for socially distanced viewing. 
Super Warrior Bros. and The Forgotten Garden, on behalf of Pueblo Revolt Collective! SOMOS dedicated this year's efforts to supporting Black Leadership and Black Lives Matter in our city.

Check our social media for photos from SOMOS and our featured video filmed and edited by Rob Nakai @HolidayRobb!

View a video representation of the Pueblo Revolt exhibit "The Forgotten Garden" HERE.

Be sure to check out our Youtube page for more content!

40 Years of Love and Solidarity!

Around this time of year, we traditionally host our annual Chile Harvest Fiesta accompanied by the Jeanna Gauna Social Justice Spirit Awards. Unfortunately, circumstances for this year have led us to create more of an online celebration so that our members remain safe. We have gathered several hundreds of throwback photos of our previous Chile Fiesta celebrations for your nostalgic viewing pleasure!

We wish we could host another incredible weekend of taste testing the hottest homemade chile stew (made from harvested organic chile in Polvadera). We miss the rooftop throws, the bouncy houses, the live music, the familiar faces, and everything else that made the Chile Fiesta beautiful. But we will return to the amazing tradition once again someday!

Justice where we live! 
Justice where we work! 
Justice where we play!

SWOP 40th Throwback - Chile Fiesta 1
SWOP 40th Throwback - Chile Fiesta 2
SWOP 40th Throwback - Chile Fiesta 3
SWOP 40th Throwback - Chile Fiesta 4

WHAT: 2020 Jeanne Gauna Awards
WHERE: Online via Zoom
WHEN: Sunday, October 25th

The 2020 Jeanne Gauna Awards is a celebration of all previous awardees from past Jeanne Gauna Social Justice Spirit Awards. Jeanne Gauna was a co-founder of Southwest Organizing Project, the 40-year-old social justice organization working to empower the disenfranchised in the Southwest to realize racial and gender equity and social and economic justice. Jeanne worked tirelessly and wisely, guarding and winning social, political, economic, environmental, spiritual and cultural justice for women, families and communities. She was a loving, fierce, strategic leader who took responsibility with others by building alliances and movements locally, statewide, nationally and internationally. Jeanne passed away in 2003, but her work continues with over ~60 women receiving her award since 2015. Each recipient selected receives this award in honor of her and for their dedication to the people and their communities.

There have been 60 incredible Jeanne Gauna Social Justice Spirit (JGSJS) awardeesover the last five years as part of Con Mujeres Gender Justice (CMGJ) here at the SouthWest Organizing Project. Many of us, womxn, femmes, and nonbinary folx do not know one another, even though our work intersects. We have families and friends who don’t know each other, but they could! Everything is possible as we all hold each other up and support each other?                      
                         
Now we find ourselves with the most virulent pandemics most of us have ever faced: the ongoing cumulative sicknesses of racism, climate change and degradation, and a heterosexist theft of our basic human rights.

While this moment demands our power, especially of womxn and LGBTQIA+ folx of color, to overcome the hateful vitriol of the patriarchy, capitalism, and white supremacy, we recognize the challenge. We are all being asked to do more and more with less and less. How can we strengthen, support, and serve one another to facilitate our synergistic movement together against all we face? How can we emerge from this crisis having created something better than the old “normal”?

We would like to invite you to a very special gathering on Sunday, October 25th, we are holding a virtual convening of all the Gauna Awardees, our membership, healers and the greater community. We want to share and collectively celebrate the awardees and all that has been built.  We want to recognize the voices of our beloved community. 

Please Join Us!

The Con Mujeres Gender Justice focus for the monthly series after the 2020 Gauna Awards Zoom event, will be informed by former awardees and healers/mujeres. More information to come!

WHAT: World March of Women Day of Action
WHERE: Online and Internationally
WHEN: Saturday, October 17th

On the 17th of October, 2020 the feminists from the World March of Women, in more than 50 countries and territories, will get to the closing of our 5th International Action, which has framed their collective action since 8th of March of this year. The pandemic has not deterred the movement-- quite the opposite: today more than ever, in the face of the authoritarian and reactionary escalation of capital: We resist to live, we march to transform!

Follow World March of Women on social media to view their live broadcast and the release of their statement on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.

https://ggjalliance.org/programs/world-march-of-womens-declaration-for-the-5th-international-action-2020/?preview=true&_thumbnail_id=4476

Since 2018, SWOP's Con Mujeres Gender Justice has gifted $53,000, through the Kindle/Slow Fuse/ Womadix Fund, to support the following New Mexico women's groups and individuals: Kalpullli Izkalli, Veronica Iglesias - Jade Oracle Cards, Child of All Nations, The Indigenous Wisdom Institute, Pueblo Action Alliance, Casa de Salud-Healing Circle, Abuelas's Medicina, Cultivating Communities, Women's Intercultural Center and Leona Morgan with the Nuclear Issues Study Group.

The focus of this women lead fund is to break open traditional forms of philanthropy through the democratization of funding-power and to get these resources to reach unlikely and unusual places. We are thankful to be able to support these healers, innovators, individuals, activists, visionaries, and groups doing critical economic, environmental and healing work.

Thank you Kindle/Slow Fuse/Womadix for allowing SWOP's Con Mujeres Gender Justice to uplift the work of self-identified women with trust and money.

WHAT: Youth Justice Meeting
WHERE: Online via Zoom
WHEN: Tuesday, October 27th - 5:30pm

Saludos everyone! My apologies for the confusion on the days/dates of the monthly meeting it’s been super hectic the last couple weeks, but we do want to have a check in on Tuesday October 27th at 5:30pm (zoom link below) to give some quick updates, here from you all and talk about the legislative session.

Members of the coalition have been busy this past month: some of us presented to the Interim Legislative Committee on Criminal Justice Reform about the current state of juvenile justice in New Mexico, the youth interns have been meeting twice a week and hosted their first youth advisory council meeting with about 20 youth from all across the city. Folks are also plugging in to all the work SWOP has been doing from community gardening, census outreach, mask making and gearing up to help get out the vote to post election strategy and legislative planning.

If you would like to add anything to the agenda or if you have any questions please feel free to contact me Rodrigo@swop.net

Gracias!

-Rodrigo Rodriguez  

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94290630115

Meeting ID: 942 9063 0115
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Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/awbtoYLrP

The Youth Justice crew meets Tuesdays and Thursdays! Contact Loren@swop.net or Rodrigo@swop.net for more details.

"Three employees and three young people in our state at Lea County Juvenile Detention Center have tested positive for COVID-19, and a young person at Bernalillo County Youth Services Center has tested positive.
It shouldn’t come as a complete shock, given the fact that we’ve pleaded with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the secretary for months now. What we predicted and warned would occur has happened. That is why we’re publishing our demands here."

Executive Director George Lujan lays out very plainly how the governor and her team have continued to let down our young people in this pandemic state.

Read the op-ed article in full

On behalf of a community coalition focused on juvenile justice, we are writing to express our concerns regarding the impact of COVID-19 on incarcerated youth in our state. As New Mexico has taken steps to stop the spread of COVID-19 by closing schools, canceling events and supporting kids in their homes and communities, New Mexico has very glaringly left behind one group of youth: those who are currently in juvenile detention and incarcerated in youth prisons. We strongly urge you to act NOW to keep ALL New Mexico youth safe in this crisis.

Add your name to the letter now: http://chng.it/mzzmWvFwFR

WHAT: Environmental Justice Series: A Conversation on Environmental Racism
WHERE: Online
WHEN: Thursday, October 22nd - 5:30PM

Join us for an important community-focused conversation on environmental racism in New Mexico.
Register HERE: https://nmelc-ej-series.eventbrite.com

¡Volvemos con un nuevo episodio para ustedes! ¡El episodio 6 del podcast del 40 aniversario de SWOP presenta una conversación con la familia Roibal! Los Roibal han estado involucrados con SWOP durante las cuatro décadas de existencia de SWOP. Lucía, Lolita y Rosina hablan con su padre Roberto sobre sus momentos favoritos a lo largo del año e intentan cantar La Canción de Chile a través del internet con una mala conexión. Es una reunión de podcasts sobre una pandemia que calentará su corazón y encenderá su deseo de hacer el trabajo.

We're back again with a brand new episode for you! SWOP's 40th Anniversary Podcast Episode 6 features a conversation with the Roibal family!

¡Esto es lo que estabas esperando! SWOP Podcast Episodio 6 está lista AHORA: https://www.swop.net/podcast

ENGLISH: https://soundcloud.com/user-341516513-230723832/episode-six-the-roibal-family

The family has been involved with SWOP for all four decades of SWOP’s existence. Lucia, Lolita, and Rosina talk with their father Roberto about their favorite moments throughout the year and try to sing The Chile Song over a sketchy internet connection. It’s a pandemic podcast gathering that will warm your heart and fire up your desire to do the work.

Be sure to check out https://www.swop.net/podcast for the latest podcast episode, as well as all the previous ones, uploaded every month via Soundcloud.

Be sure to visit ArribaNM.com/Census2020 to view all the upcoming Census graphics!

Complete the 2020 Census today!

Thank you to our comrades at MALDEF for providing these informative Voter information flyers in both Spanish and English!

Joaquin and friends have been hard at work in Socorro lately!
They have been coordinating with Rancho Entre Dos Acequias to distribute food to the Magdalena School District’s free lunch program, and from there the food will be sent to over 200 families! 
 
This has been all a part of our pandemic response to COVID-19 as a way to both combat isolation for those in far, rural communities, and to also provide food resources to those who deperately need it. This effort has helped connect families with local growers through a partnership with Magdalena schools!

All of this natural-grown produce will be added to the lunches that are prepared at the school then delivered to families!

Gracias Joaquin and others for doing all you do to make this happen!

The photos below are from a groups of volunteers helping to shuck corn as it was the first of the harvest to be ready. There are also pictures of when they came off the Magdalena mountains after delivering 35 watermelons, 15 pounds of bell peppers, 25 pounds of lemon cucumbers. Joaquin and friends have been able to deliver to 120 families from the reservation from alamo, 80 families in the moutnainous areas of Magdalena, and 25-30 families between Belen and Socorro.

During Indigenous Peoples' Day, Pueblo Action Alliance were able to go out and distribute care packages/backpacks to their unsheltered relatives on Tiwa Territory.

"Today we not only honor our Indigenous relatives who are close to us but we honor all Indigenous people’s of Turtle Island and beyond. - who are all facing a common struggle."

Their work is amazing and the dedication they have for their communities is immeasurable. Check out some of their work below!

This zine holds up-to-date information regarding the current political, physical and spiritual environment surrounding Chaco Canyon.

This form of extractive colonialism is yet another example of how environmental racism continues to destroy life on Pueblo-Indigenous Land.
This educational information is available to download via Google Drive
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sbFfrEmMgNEvXUxXWIy30EgdaKS4YkvR/view?fbclid=IwAR1uNqWmqt2_GnVdrFNvpW6mALozrOHvYCuuP1j1Txxyb1bmFcojHTvhz4g

It is also or available for digital viewing via https://online.fliphtml5.com/pisdx/ojeg/#p=4.

We ask for our community to pass the knowledge by sharing this zine on any platform possible.

Chaco will NEVER be "ruins".

Check out their recent feature in the New York Times on how the 1680 Pueblo Revolt has still been relevent in the current social climate.

You can now subscribe to PAA's YouTube channel and tune in on their updated workshops, presentations, EJ updates, political education and popular education videos. Join us on this journey of community growth and education!

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Pueblo Action Alliance is proud to announce the collaboration with Seeding Sovereignty for the Indigenous Impact Community Care Initiative.

"In light of the global pandemic COVID - 19, it's clear our communities are the last ones to be considered in terms of the effects and impacts upon our people, land and life ways. Throughout history we have always been self-reliant and self-sufficient in how we come together and support one another. We continue practicing being good neighbors through a number of traditional core values."

The initiative and participating partners are working hard to provide a few different types of mutual aid. Those being sewn protective masks, healthy meal kits for elders and families, and also getting monetary donations directly to those in need. Lastly, getting indigenous authored books to quarantined students is also being coordinated.

They have now entered Phase II in this initiative. Please refer to the images below to see how you can stay involved and what next steps look like. Thank You for your continued support!

Join La Cosecha for the largest VIRTUAL national gathering of educators, students, parents, researchers, and supporters of dual language education for La Cosecha 2020!

"With over 200 presentations from classroom teachers and leading experts in the field of dual language, two-way immersion, one-way developmental bilingual, and one-way heritage immersion programs, this year's La Cosecha won't disappoint! We are dedicated to providing you an exciting conference experience at a time when our community needs to celebrate successes and face challenges together. Join us as we celebrate 25 years of sharing the best of our multilingual multicultural community!"

REGISTER: https://web.cvent.com/event/67bb168f-5666-4aee-9543-f70518b7aa7e/summary?rp=18c9e96f-8f0b-47d1-acfa-0f50cf60ba91

For over 48 years, PB&J has been helping at-risk children grow and develop to their full potential nurturing families within a supportive community. This is a special time of year as the community pulls together and contributes to help us provide holiday gifts to PB&J families with limited resources and extensive needs.

Each PB&J family is matched with a sponsor from the community in order to provide them unwrapped gifts for the holidays. We ask each of our families to complete a wish list that provides suggestions to their sponsors. The caseworker will be present to guide the family to include toys and activities that will support child(ren)'s developmental growth.The lists have the first name of each family member, clothing and shoe size, and special interests. 

The Holiday Wish program brings our community together during these hard times and truly makes a difference in the lives of each sponsored family. This is often the only way these families are able to receive essential items that will benefit their lives not only during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year.

SWOP's very own deputy director, Juan Reynosa, participated in the filming of a documentary called My American Identity Project! This will be featured in the Albuquerque Film and Music Experience this year, although it will be held virtually. Learn more about the film and the festival HERE.

Allen Cooper was a great supporter of human rights and equality for all people, and with his impressive political and social resume, it is only fitting we fellow activists help him in some way. He is now at the Veteran Hospital Care facility in Truth or Consequences.

Allen is a rare and compassionate individual who all his life advocated for justice and equality for others less fortunate by demonstrating his warrior veracity, tenacity, and determination by providing guidance, mentoring, and physical protection to many individuals, communities of color, organizations, and indigenous nations.
Allen is a true ALLY in every sense of the word and spiritual meaning.

His work advocating for justice and equality included:

·    Proud Navy Veteran,  1957– 1959 & member of Veterans for Peace, Abq, NM

·    Mississippi Civil Rights and Voting Rights Struggle

·     Honored and Adopted member of the Black Panther Party

·     Wounded Knee Occupation 1973, and defendant (case was dismissed) 

·     Adopted by the Oglala Lakota People

·     United Farm Workers Struggle

·     Big Mountain Diné Community against Forced Relocation

·     Producer, Writer, and Director of hundreds of Television and Radio shows on collective liberation

·     Albuquerque Public School Teacher and Mentor

 
We are humbly asking you to donate to help cover Allen's caretaking expenses of $6,000 (24/7 care at $1,200 per month x (5) months). Our appeal is now projected to extend from August 9 to October 6, 2020.

The purpose of this fund is to gather resources for the homeless population in our neighborhood to help them survive this pandemic.

Our neighborhood has always had a high population of houseless folks, and the pandemic has only made the situation more dire.

We believe in the resilience and heart of our neighborhood and the funds donated to this project will go to supplies needed for food boxes that will include masks and hand sanitizer. We will also be launching an offshoot of our successful sewing project Masks with a Purpose (a collaboration with the SouthWest Organizing Project) that will provide special durable bags that can be used as sleeping bags. We can't do this without you and appreciate any support you can offer. Thank you for your generosity!

—————————————————————————-

Nkazi is a volunteer program director/coordinator and founder (alongside Asian and African women) of New Mexico Women’s Global Pathways) a  USA based grass roots non-profit organization, which is a job, education and strengthened life skills development flagship program of an all volunteer driven non profit Immigrant and Refugee Resource Village of Albuquerque (501 C 3) non profit located in the International District, Albuquerque New Mexico USA. NMWGP merged with IRRVA in 2018.
www.irrva.com.

IRRVA was created by Nkazi and Lungile Sinandile from South Africa in 2006 under the auspices of the South African Orion Duet and was incorporated in 2011. All served regardless of countries of origin.

If you can support in any way, please donate HERE

We are asking for your help. Our longtime close member Reyna Juarez's daughter, Eloisa, has been hospitalized at least once a month for the last three years due to severe health complications. She is an incredibly intelligent and talented artist, musician, poet, and community organizer and needs all of our support.

Eloisa's mom, Reyna, is a close partner and ally in the work we do. Her aunt was a SWOP staff member in the 80's, and her mother Margo was also heavily involved with SWOP in the early days. Alot of our members even remember working closely with Reyna's father, so her family is no stranger to us!

Eloisa Silva, loving daughter, sister, and friend. Those who know Eloisa have had the joy of experiencing all of her amazing talents. She is an incredibly intelligent and talented artist, musician, poet, and community organizer.

Eloisa is fighting for her life, exhausted and feeling hopeless. Tragically 3 and a half years ago she began to experience debilitating abdominal pain. To complicate matters she is a Type 1 Diabetic of 10 years. Eloisa has been hospitalized at least once a month for the last three years. The constant pain and the resulting medical issues are starting to wear on her organs and her beautiful spirit.

She has undergone extensive workups with no results leaving Doctors, family and friends frustrated and desperate for answers. We have begun to search for help outside of our network in hopes of finding a diagnosis. Out of state hospitals will not take our insurance and we have been told that initial consultations could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Approximately six months ago we had a glimmer of hope. During an emergency room visit, Eloisa received a treatment of Ketamine. The treatment is used to alleviate chronic pain. For the first time in 3 years, Eloisa was entirely pain-free for 5 days. The pain has since returned, but this treatment is also not covered by insurance and costs thousands.

We are doing this fundraiser so we can expand our options for help, get her the ketamine treatment and take her to an out of state hospital that specializes in diagnosing difficult cases. Your support is much appreciated. 

Please contribute whatever you can, share, and support in any capacity. Stay strong Eloisa! 

Natives on a Budget is a podcast for Indigenous people who are working to manage their finances. Check it out!

Listen Now on Soundcloud