All Things Black in El Paso
Join Us as we partner with Soy Maravillosa for El Paso Afro-Latinx Heritage Week! Celebrate a vibrant week of Cultural Connections through virtual and in-person events.
For more information, contact Dr. Jackelne Biddle Richard at soymaravillosa5@gmail.com.
Monica is the founder and publisher of Black El Paso Voice. She is an advocate fighting against racism and embracing positive community involvement. She is a lover of God, Puerto Rican cuisine, and the greatest defender of her family. She also enjoy House Music and swears it’s the best music on the planet!
EL PASO, Texas—In a significant move for the City of El Paso, Dionne Mack has been appointed as the new City Manager. This decision follows a thorough and inclusive selection process, during which Mack emerged as the top candidate. She will succeed Interim City Manager Cary Westin, who has played a crucial role in guiding the city through this transitional period.
Mayor Oscar Leeser voiced his enthusiasm about the appointment, remarking, “Dionne Mack has shown exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all El Paso residents. Her experience and vision for our City make her the right choice to guide El Paso into a bright and prosperous future. I am confident that under her leadership, we will continue to make significant strides in addressing the needs of our community and building a stronger, more vibrant city.”
Mayor Leeser also expressed gratitude to Cary Westin for his service in his statement. “I want to thank Col. Westin immensely for his dedication and service to El Paso during this critical time. His leadership has been invaluable, and his commitment to our City is deeply appreciated. We are grateful for the stability and direction he has provided, ensuring a smooth transition as we welcome our new City Manager.”
Background on Dionne Mack
Dionne Mack arrives in her new role with 28 years of public service experience, including 14 years in New York and another 14 years with El Paso. As the Deputy City Manager for Quality of Life, she has been instrumental in driving initiatives aimed at enhancing the city’s parks, cultural services, and community programs.
Mack expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm for her new position, stating, “I am deeply honored to have been entrusted with this critical role by the Honorable Mayor and the City Council. I want to express my deepest gratitude for their trust and confidence in me. My lived experiences, education, and professional background have uniquely prepared me to serve as your next City Manager. As a resident of El Paso, I am deeply committed to serving our city humbly and dedicated to improving the lives of all our residents. This commitment is not just a promise, but a mission that I will tirelessly pursue.”
She continued, “I am deeply committed to building solid connections with the City Council and with all of you, the heart and soul of this vibrant community. El Paso’s strength lies in its diversity, rich history, and the resilience of its people. I am here to listen, learn, and work with each of you to address our challenges. I firmly believe that the best solutions come from within the community, and your voices are not just important, but invaluable. I am committed to holding regular meetings and open forums and seeking your input through surveys and various feedback mechanisms. Your concerns, ideas, and aspirations are crucial to our decision-making process. Together with our City Council, we will chart a path forward that truly reflects the desires and needs of our residents.”
About the Selection Process
The appointment of Mack follows a comprehensive national search that began in March 2024. This search attracted over 100 candidates and involved community input sessions, bilingual surveys, and feedback from various stakeholders. This process was designed to ensure the selection aligned with the values and goals of El Paso’s residents, making you an integral part of this significant decision.
The final decision was made through four community Meet and Greet events, where residents interacted directly with the finalists. Additionally, two Council-appointed community panels provided essential input that guided the final choice. Mack’s deep-rooted connection to the community and her proven track record in improving the quality of life in El Paso were pivotal in her selection. Her leadership is anticipated to foster continued progress and innovation as the city moves forward.
El Paso, TX: Michelle Grady, a local El Pasoan who is a survivor of the tragic massacre that occurred five years ago on August 3rd, will be the keynote speaker at the annual BEP Voice Business and Community Awards Dinner. The event, scheduled for August 3rd, 2024, at 5 PM, will mark the fifth anniversary of the incident, providing a poignant moment of remembrance for those who lost their lives.
Michelle, the daughter of local civil rights leader Pastor Michael Grady and Jeneverlyn Grady, has emerged as a symbol of resilience and optimism. During the ceremony, her journey from tragedy to triumph will be highlighted as she receives the Spirit of Resilience Award.
As a communications liaison with TriWest, Michelle has continued to make significant contributions to her community, embodying the spirit of perseverance and dedication.
The awards dinner will honor the accomplishments of El Paso’s business and community leaders and provide Michelle with an opportunity to recount her inspiring journey.
Her keynote address is expected to resonate deeply with attendees. It will offer insights into her path to healing and the strength she has drawn from her community.
This year’s event, emceed by Ouisa D. Davis, ESQ., promises a memorable evening of celebration, reflection, and inspiration.
Monica Tucker, Event Coordinator, emphasized the importance of honoring the community’s legends and the lasting impact of their contributions.
Tickets for the event are available now. Advertising and sponsorship opportunities are also available to encourage broad community participation and support.
Join us on August 3rd to honor our community’s resilience, celebrate its achievements, and remember those we have lost. Michelle Grady’s story is a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the power of community support.
Tickets, advertising, and sponsorship information: https://blackelpasovoice.com/awards.
The NAACP El Paso Branch has announced its annual Freedom Fund Banquet, scheduled for August 17th at the Fort Bliss Centennial Club and Conference Center. This event is a social gathering and a powerful statement emphasizing the importance of civic engagement and voting rights.
The banquet, themed “Show Up to Vote,” will feature Casey Thomas, the first Vice President of the Texas NAACP, as the keynote speaker. Thomas is expected to provide valuable insights on political participation and its impact on the community.
Tickets for the event are $70.00 per person, and proceeds support scholarships and community activities that fund the NAACP’s civil rights initiatives. The dress code for the evening is semi-formal.
The El Paso Branch of the NAACP, the oldest branch in Texas, has a history of hosting impactful Freedom Fund events. These gatherings serve as a platform to celebrate achievements, recognize social justice heroes, and reinforce the organization’s commitment to equality and eliminating race-based discrimination.
For more information or to purchase tickets, interested parties can contact Diane Williams, the NAACP El Paso Branch Freedoms Fund Coordinator, at (334) 477-3733 or via email at naacpelpasobranch@yahoo.com.
Monica is the founder and publisher of Black El Paso Voice. She is an advocate fighting against racism and embracing positive community involvement. She is a lover of God, Puerto Rican cuisine, and the greatest defender of her family. She also enjoy House Music and swears it’s the best music on the planet!
For Immediate Release
Black El Paso Voice Business and Community Awards to Honor Local Legends
El Paso, TX – June 8, 2024 – The 2024 Black El Paso Voice Business and Community Awards will take place on Saturday, August 3, at 5 PM at EPCC, Building A, located at 9050 Viscount, El Paso, TX 79925. This prestigious event will celebrate exceptional contributions to business and community life in El Paso.
The evening will feature a dinner, keynote speech, live entertainment, and an awards ceremony. Ouisa D. Davis, ESQ., a respected BEP Voice 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and community activist, will emcee the event.
“We are thrilled to honor the extraordinary achievements of our community’s legends,” said Monica Tucker, Event Coordinator. “Their dedication and perseverance have left a lasting impact, and this event is a testament to their enduring legacy. We have implemented a more intense vetting process and are excited to introduce the community to those actively building an even better El Paso.”
Tucker, the founder of the Black Roundtable community discussion series and the publication Black El Paso Voice, was honored with the FBI’s 2022 Director’s Community Leadership Award for raising awareness of issues impacting Black and multiracial communities in El Paso and across the nation.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of a significant event in our community. Tickets are available now, with early bird pricing of $35 per person or $280 for a table of eight. Sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $750 to $1250, not only offer various benefits like premium seating and advertising in the event journal but also provide a platform to showcase your support for our community. Act now to secure your place and make a difference.
The event not only celebrates our community’s achievements but also provides an unparalleled networking opportunity with El Paso’s emerging leaders. It’s a chance to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the future of our city. By attending, you also support the efforts of Black El Paso Voice, a publication that has been a vital source of news and information about the Black community, organizations, and events in the region since 1998.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit blackelpasovoice.com.
Contact:
C’ri Roi, Administrator
915.345.1661
croi@blackelpasovoice.com
The proposed Northeast El Paso amphitheater is the latest effort to develop entertainment venues in the city, but the project will only come online if the company raises the $80 million it needs to build it.
To do that, Venu, the 6-year-old entertainment development company formerly named Notes Live, would need to implement a fundraising model that relies heavily on lifetime, high-income investors and expensive memberships. It also hinges on a combination of $31 million in city incentives, which haven’t been finalized.
While the entertainment business is leaning toward amphitheaters, it is largely because Live Nation, one of the largest concert promoters in the world, heavily invested in amphitheaters, said industry expert Bobby Welch. She previously served as director of special events at the University of Texas at El Paso and concert coordinator at New Mexico State University.
“The tours that you see – what we call the amphitheater tours – the bigger ones are actually Live Nation tours that are going from Live Nation amphitheater to Live Nation amphitheater,” said Welch, who also co-owned the now closed Tricky Falls venue in Downtown said. “Having an amphitheater will not tap into Live Nation amphitheater tours.”
The U.S. Justice Department in May sued Live Nation and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, alleging that it had an illegal monopoly on live entertainment events that should be broken up. Live Nation disputes the allegations.
The proposed 12,500-seat Northeast El Paso amphitheater, which developers say will boost economic development in the region and provide a “luxury” experience to concertgoers, is one of several Venu is promoting across the country. One is set to open in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in August, but others proposed in other cities have yet to open – and some have hit hurdles that delayed the venues early on.
Planning of the venue at the former Cohen Stadium site comes as the city, county and UTEP are considering asking taxpayers to spend millions to renovate existing entertainment facilities or build new ones – including the long-stalled $180 million multipurpose entertainment center, or arena, approved by voters in 2012.
The company aiming to build the amphitheater was established in 2017 and based in Colorado Springs. Venu, as it was recently renamed, is owned by JW Roth, who plans to build amphitheaters nationwide.
Venu did not respond to multiple El Paso Matters interview requests.
The company’s financing model includes looking to private investors to buy fire pit suites and selling various owner-membership levels to accredited investors, according to Venu’s website
Investors must have an annual income that exceeds $200,000 individually or $300,000 with a spouse for two years – or have an individual net worth of more than $1 million, the website states. Only about 5% of the 300,000 households in El Paso County have incomes of $200,000 or more, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
General admission ticket buyers would not have access to the firepit suites.
“Their business model is that they want to basically take the income from (fire pit sales) to offset some of the costs and so, if those don't sell, one has to wonder – do they have the necessary financing without those to really pull off an amphitheater?” Welch asked.
In El Paso, Venu plans to build Sunset Amphitheater on a 50-acre plot of city-owned land in the Cohen Entertainment District, around the former location of a Minor League Baseball stadium..
The agreements, once finalized, will include Chapter 380 incentives and the city conveying 15 acres of land for the amphitheater. The deal includes $31 million in incentives and tax rebates over the next 20 years as well as waiving 100% of development, building and permitting fees for the construction of the amphitheater, among other financial benefits.
The city will also amend Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 11 established on the site in 2018. The tax zones encourage development and capture tax increments of property within the zone to help fund public improvements to roads and other infrastructure.
Two public hearings that would have been the next steps to solidify agreements with the developer, including the land sale and TIRZ 11 amendment, were postponed by the City Council earlier this month. City officials said the move was a mutual decision by the city and developer.
City Rep. Joe Molinar, who represents Northeast, told El Paso Matters that city staff did not discuss how the company would fund their end of the project. But, he said from what he understands, the company has the funding sources it needs.
“If any company comes and says, ‘Hey, we're gonna start here, we're gonna do this, we promised that’ and they go to another City B, and they promise the exact same thing, and they never deliver – well, obviously you're going to have a lot of problems,” Molinar said.
At least one other city where Venu is looking to build an amphitheater had to put its plans on hold after the company hit major roadblocks in its financing plans, filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission show.
The records show Venu, under the Notes Live name, has been working with Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to build a $30 million venue that would include a Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse & Tavern, The Hall, a 500-seat indoor music venue and a 4,500-seat outdoor amphitheater.
The first economic development agreement was nixed by the Murfreesboro City Council in July 2022 when it called for conveying the $3.3 million city-owned land to Venu. A later version approved by the City Council in August 2022 stipulated the company buy the land as part of the arrangement.
The land deal was closed in December 2022, with the city receiving a promissory note payable over 20 years without interest, according to a Mursfreesboro media release.
City leaders in Murfreesboro didn’t respond to inquiries from El Paso Matters, and it’s unclear where the plans stand now.
However, the SEC documents include a May 21, 2023, “stand still” letter issued by Murfreesboro that shows the company had not met its deadline to obtain a permit to begin construction as required by the contract it signed with the city. Under the contract, the company would have to transfer the land back to the city if the permit was not obtained by deadline.
The letter points to a discussed agreement that allows the company to “reformulate its financing” without having to transfer the land back to the city for not meeting its land disturbance permit application deadline.
“The current national economic conditions, and the resulting implications on banks lending have impacted Notes Live’s planned financing,” the letter states. “To address this situation, Notes Live is altering the Project’s financing structure, which understandably requires additional time. Notes Live anticipates using proceeds from an equity offering in their holding company to finance the construction in Murfreesboro.”
The letter also states the company would make a good-faith effort to initiate the project as soon as feasible. The stand still arrangement expires this December.
The Murfreesboro city manager, who sent the letter to the company, could not be reached for comment.
El Paso city Rep. Brian Kennedy, who previously served as CEO of the El Paso Sports Commission that operated the El Paso County Coliseum, said the city’s future agreements with Venu will have clawback provisions to protect the city if the company can’t fulfill its promises.
“If you have enough protections in the beginning of a deal, no matter what happens with the deal, you can't get damaged because you've protected the entity,” Kennedy said, adding the city’s general fund will not be impacted by the arrangement with the developer.
In Colorado Springs, the 8,000-seat Ford Amphitheater is the first venue scheduled to open in August. Meanwhile, the company has entered public/private partnerships for similar amphitheaters in Oklahoma, Tennessee, and McKinney, Texas.
In McKinney, the developer entered a public/private partnership with the city in March to build a $220 million 20,000 capacity amphitheater – the largest planned to date. The city agreed to contribute at least $26 million in public funding as part of the performance-based incentive package.
“It’s between $85 and $100 million that the city will incentivize (over 20 years), but again, it's always important to identify that 75% of that is performance-based,” McKinney Mayor George Fuller told El Paso Matters. “They have to produce and deliver X number of shows with X amount of capacity at each of those shows and guarantee us patrons equal to X each year, otherwise those incentives are null and void.”
Fuller said he is not concerned the company will be able to raise the money needed to fund the amphitheater.
“As far as the (fundraising) model, I think it’s brilliant,” Fuller said. “There's people that have bought boxes in venues like sports arenas – it's not an unheard of thing, but it's never been done in an amphitheater setting.”
In Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Venu has a $70 million, 12,500-capacity amphitheater planned. The city will complete about $17 million in infrastructure improvements as part of the economic development agreement that is performance-based.
“We have entered into a public/private partnership with them as well and there were incentives – as a matter of fact – we have already started on the public infrastructure improvements in the area,” said Broken Arrow spokesman Aaron McColloch. “We've got several different things going on.”
McColloch said they are currently working on a new roadway, among the public infrastructure improvements. He said the developer hasn’t broken ground, but they are working together on scheduling for some time this summer.
“We're supposed to have a ceremony, we're still trying to nail down the day, but it looks like it's going to be toward the later half of August,” McColloch said. “I know that they were always going to be just a little bit behind us. We were going to start our infrastructure improvements first and then they were going to start with the development of the amphitheater after us.”
The city’s economic development agreement with Venu has been amended four times since it was first signed in August 2022, documents show. McColloh said those amendment extensions were initiated by the city to address water suppression to comply with the city’s fire code.
“It was more or less run-of-the-mill type things,” he said.
Venu also aimed to open an amphitheater in Oklahoma City, but the City Council in April rejected the proposal for the 12,000-seat amphitheater development following public backlash and concerns about noise and traffic. The company still has the venue listed on its website as “open for investment.”
The most recent major venue to open in El Paso is the Downtown ballpark, which broke ground in 2013 and opened its doors with Triple-A baseball a year later. But the ballpark has hosted only a handful of events outside of baseball and soccer, including the Way Out West country music festival that this year will be held around the Judson F. Williams Convention Center Plaza and several Downtown blocks. A series of boxing matches, dubbed Bouts at the Ballpark,are scheduled to be held at the ballpark later this month.
Prior to that, local governments and private investors had for decades put forth several plans for new venues in the city – with none coming to fruition.
The city’s planned $180 million multipurpose center remains unbuilt and at a standstill since voters approved it in the 2012 bond election. The arena, as it’s known, was last proposed to be an 8,000-seat indoor-outdoor amphitheater at the Union Depot in Downtown El Paso before talks stalled just weeks before the Venu proposal was announced.
Existing city-run venues include the Convention Center that is used primarily for conventions and meetings; the 2,500-seat Abraham Chavez Theatre; and the 2,050-seat Plaza Theatre – all in Downtown.
County leaders, meanwhile, have also debated whether to include improvements to the 5,250-seat El Paso County Coliseum on a proposed November bond issue as plans to expand the Bridge of the Americas nearby initially called for it to be torn down.
The coliseum was removed from the General Services Administration's final options for modernization of the port of entry, El Paso County Commissioner David Stout said in a news release last week. Stout said improvements to the coliseum were removed from a list of projects being considered for the bond, but added he wants it back on the table for funding.
UTEP President Heather Wilson in May unveiled a proposal asking the county of El Paso to include up to $99 million in upgrades to Sun Bowl Stadium in its planned November bond issue. The proposed structural fixes, electrical system upgrades, enhanced 18-wheeler access and other renovations would help attract and better accommodate concerts and other entertainment at the stadium.
The stadium, which seats about 46,000 people, is home to UTEP football and the annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl postseason college football game. It has hosted concerts such as the Mexican pop group RBD and 80s rock bands Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe.
Welch said the industry is leaning less and less toward stadium tours because they are expensive to mount.
UTEP also owns and runs the Don Haskins Center with a 12,000-seat capacity that hosts the university’s men’s and women’s basketball games and with concerts of various genres.
“If I were to put money into something, I'd put it into Haskins and Pan Am (Center in Las Cruces) to at least keep catching the viable 8,000 to 12,000 seat concerts – and there's great ones,” Welch said. She added that she believed those facilities could use some upgrades but aren’t falling apart.
Having a variety of local entertainment venues is a quality of life issue, Welch said, adding each of the different types of venues are constructed to have specific types of events.
“You can't put a tractor pull in a theater, you really shouldn't put opera into a stadium,” she said. “So I think having the broadest genre of venues affords us to pull in the broadest genre of different types of entertainment events.”
This article first appeared on El Paso Matters and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
The Facts about Kidney Failure in Black Americans: If undiagnosed or untreated, kidney disease can get worse and lead to kidney failure (also called end-stage kidney disease). Black Americans make up 13% of the US population but account for 35% of the population with kidney failure.
The El Paso (TX) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated is committed to raising awareness and preventing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). They proudly announce their upcoming Black K.A.R.E. (Kidney, Awareness, Resources, and Education) Health Fair. The event will occur on Saturday, February 17, 2024, from 10 AM to 1 PM at EPCC Building B, located at 9050 Viscount, El Paso, TX, 79925.
To promote awareness and understanding of CKD, the organization has enlisted the expertise of renowned Nephrologist Dr. David Opawumi. Dr. Opawumi will conduct a 10-minute presentation, providing valuable insights into CKD. His office staff and The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) will assist him in offering glucose and blood pressure testing. Additionally, Ruth Miranda, MPPD, RDN, LD, a seasoned dietitian, will share her expertise on nutrition and its role in CKD prevention; Brandon Reid, certified personal trainer, will provide fitness tips and information.
The health fair will feature information tables hosted by various healthcare professionals, providing in-depth insights into CKD prevention and nutrition. Over 100 participants can expect to attend and benefit from educational sessions on improving health, including fitness, nutrition, and vital checks such as blood glucose and blood pressure.
As part of its commitment to community health, the El Paso (TX) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated will generously distribute blood pressure wrist monitors and other promotional items throughout the event. Attendees can enjoy healthy snacks and engage in sessions to enhance overall well-being.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024
Time: 10 AM to 1 PM
Location: EPCC Building B | 9050 Viscount, El Paso, TX, 79925
The El Paso (TX) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated invites the community to join this FREE Health Fair, where esteemed health professionals will share valuable insights on treating and preventing Chronic Kidney Disease. Seize this chance to make your health and well-being a top priority.
About El Paso (TX) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated:
The El Paso (TX) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated, is devoted to enhancing the quality of life within the community through diverse initiatives. Committed to education, health, and civic involvement, the organization works towards positively impacting individuals and families.
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For more information, please contact:
AveMarie Smart, President
AveMarieSmart123@gmail.com
915.433.3715
About El Paso (TX) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated:
The El Paso (TX) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated, is devoted to enhancing the quality of life within the community through diverse initiatives. Committed to education, health, and civic involvement, the organization works towards positively impacting individuals and families.
Velda McPherson | Contributing Editor: Health and Wellness.
In a time when Black history and culture narratives hold greater significance than ever, Ryan O. Adams proudly introduces his groundbreaking podcast, “Beware the Day.” Embarking on a captivating exploration of the rich history and culture of the Black community, the podcast pays tribute to the triumphs, resilience, and contributions of individuals who have left an enduring impact on the world.
Each episode of “Beware the Day” delves into the heart of Black history, uncovering untold stories, recognizing unsung heroes, and exploring pivotal moments that have shaped the African diaspora. Serving as a bridge that connects the past, present, and future, the podcast offers a distinctive perspective on the diverse facets of Black culture.
Listeners can anticipate thought-provoking discussions, insightful interviews, and expert commentary shedding light on the complexities of the Black experience. Covering topics from art to economics, “Beware the Day” highlights subjects that have influenced the African diaspora, leaving an indelible imprint on global history.
According to Ryan O. Adams, the host of “Beware the Day,” the podcast is more than just a podcast; it’s a celebration of heritage, a testament to resilience, and an exploration of Black history and culture’s profound impact on shaping our world.
The podcast invites its audience to join an enlightening journey, embracing the power of knowledge and understanding while honoring the roots that connect us all. However, Adams is not stopping there. He is taking a step further in preserving and promoting Black heritage by announcing the formation of an interest group that will lead to the establishment of the Dr. Maceo Dailey Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).
“In light of recent events in Florida, I believe that NOW is the time to establish a branch in the Borderland,” says Adams. The mission of ASALH, founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1915, is to promote, research, preserve, interpret, and disseminate information about Black life, history, and culture to the global community.
Adams stated, “Dr. Dailey and my father, the Rev. Dr. Richard T. Adams Jr. charged me with the task of standing up a branch here in El Paso.” The vision of ASALH is to be the premier Black Heritage learned society with a robust network of national and international branches and partners, continuing the Woodson legacy.
For more information about the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, please visit asalh.org.
“Beware the Day with Ryan O. Adams” is available on all major podcast platforms. Join the enlightening journey and celebrate the power of Black history and culture.
About Ryan O. Adams:
Ryan O. Adams is a passionate advocate for celebrating and preserving Black history and culture. As the host of “Beware the Day,” Adams invites listeners to explore the untold stories and unsung heroes that have shaped the African diaspora. Committed to bridging the past, present, and future through his work, Adams honors the roots that connect us all.
Contact Ryan at bewaretheday@gmail.com.
Join us for the quarterly Black Roundtable Community Discussion with the local field office of the FBI, Thursday, November 9th at 6:30 PM.
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Violent Extremism:
As he testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (video clip), FBI Director Christopher Wray discussed threats facing the nation. During his opening statement, he provided an overview of the current threat landscape in the United States. The ongoing conflict between Israel and HAMAS could lead to additional threats of violence in the US from foreign terrorist organizations overseas, individuals in the US inspired by those organizations, or newly emboldened domestic violent extremists motivated by their racial hatred. Americans, especially those in the Jewish, Arab, and Muslim communities, have seen an increase in threats. The FBI has assured that it will not tolerate violence motivated by hate or extremism and will use all its legal authorities to protect the American people and pursue justice for all victims. The FBI is working closely with faith and community organizations to share relevant information and to identify and disrupt any threats that may emerge. The FBI takes all threats seriously and investigates any tips or information received regarding potential threats. It’s crucial to emphasize that the FBI will never launch an investigation solely based on an individual’s race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or their exercise of First Amendment rights. If you become aware of any threat or suspicious activity, please report that information immediately to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or by calling your local FBI field office. If the activity involves imminent violence or threat to life, call 911.
With El Paso so close to the Mexican border and Mexico in the throws of revolutionary struggle during the early 1900s, southwest Texas became a key focus of the Bureau soon after its founding in 1908. As the FBI heads into its second century, the El Paso Division remains committed to protecting the people and defending the nation while upholding the rule of law and the civil liberties of all.
