Black El Paso Voice

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Indicators of Violent Extremism | Quarterly FBI & BEPV Black Leaders Roundtable:

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Join us for the quarterly Black Roundtable Community Discussion with the local field office of the FBI, Thursday, November 9th at 6:30 PM. 

Click here to register

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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.

McCall Neighborhood Center: A Call to Advertisers for the 2024 African American Historical Calendar

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The McCall Neighborhood Center, a cherished institution dedicated to celebrating African-American heritage and community achievements, is thrilled to announce the forthcoming release of its fourth African American Historical Calendar for 2024. This initiative, driven by a commitment to uphold the legacy of local trailblazers, organizations, and churches, also serves as a vital fundraiser for the center’s continued operations and programs.

This annual publication pays homage to individuals, institutions, and places that have paved the way for progress in the McCall neighborhood and beyond. The African American Historical Calendar showcases the community’s rich achievements, art, and cultural heritage. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of founder Leona Ford Washington, who envisioned a platform for celebrating African American heritage and fostering community unity.

As part of this fundraising initiative, McCall Neighborhood Center invites individuals and businesses to participate by purchasing advertisements in the 2024 African American Historical Calendar. The following advertising options are available:

  • Full Page Ad: $100
  • Half Page Ad: $50
  • Business Listing: $15
  • Church Listing: $15
  • Events Listing (Birthday, Anniversary, etc.): $10

The deadline for ad submissions is November 10th, providing an excellent opportunity for businesses and individuals to show their support for this noble cause.

For each full-page ad purchased, contributors will receive a complimentary calendar and one free event date listing. Additional calendars are available for purchase for $10 each. 

As a token of appreciation, McCall Neighborhood Center will recognize the generous contributors to this fundraiser project as “Olympian Supporters.” Donors who contribute $100 or more will be celebrated as GOLD supporters, those donating $50 or more as SILVER supporters, and contributors of $25 or more as BRONZE supporters.

For the past 38 years, McCall Neighborhood Center has remained steadfast in its mission to celebrate African American accomplishments and culture while providing a space for community engagement. The center is immensely grateful for the unwavering support it has received from friends and supporters throughout its journey.

McCall Neighborhood Center invites everyone to participate in this meaningful project by submitting an ad or contributing as an Olympian Supporter.  

Sincerely,

The McCall Neighborhood Center African American Historical Calendar Committee:

Patricia White

Doris M. Taylor

Karen Cooper Linen

Barbara Byrd 

For more information or to purchase an ad, visit https://mccallcenter.org 

Your support ensures the continuation of our mission and honors the legacy of those who have paved the way for our community’s success.

Multi-Agency Effort to Curb School Threats: A Call for Safety and Responsibility in El Paso Area

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As schools kick off a new academic year, law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies in El Paso have joined hands to remind parents, students, and the community that threats aimed at schools will not be tolerated. The multi-agency collaboration vows to treat every threat seriously, mobilizing substantial resources to address and defuse potential dangers.

 

In a recent press release, officials highlighted the alarming increase in school threats nationwide, with a staggering 60% rise in reported threats to the FBI in 2022 compared to the previous year. Locally, law enforcement agencies in El Paso faced the daunting task of addressing at least three threats per day from schools in Region 19 school districts during the same period.

 

Social Media Vigilance and Responsibility

One crucial aspect of this joint endeavor is the emphasis on community involvement. Officials urge immediate reporting to law enforcement if a threat is detected on social media platforms. However, the release warns against forwarding the threatening content to others, as it can exacerbate community fear and hinder law enforcement’s ability to distinguish between new threats and previously shared ones.

 

Unified Effort for Student Safety

Statements from key officials within the agencies underscore the collaborative nature of this initiative. El Paso Independent School District Chief of Police Manuel Chavira emphasized that unity and consistency among law enforcement partners are instrumental in safeguarding students and maintaining community vitality. El Paso Police Department Interim Police Chief Peter Pacillas further warned against the grave consequences of false alarms, stressing that threats, regardless of their origin, will be met with an immediate and thorough investigation.

 

El Paso County District Attorney Bill Hicks reaffirmed the commitment to prosecuting those responsible for school threats, underscoring the penalties’ severity. Threats culminating in actions, such as bringing firearms to schools, can lead to 3rd Degree Felony charges, leading to a 10-year prison term.

 

Community Involvement and Reporting

The broader community is called upon to play an active role in maintaining school safety. Law enforcement agencies have established several avenues for reporting threats: immediate threats to life should be reported via 911, while other tips can be shared with preferred law enforcement agencies. The City of El Paso offers various reporting methods that are monitored around the clock, including calling (915) 832-4400, texting 847-411 with “EPPD and then tip,” and using the “El Paso PD” app for texting tips and receiving alerts. Additionally, the FBI can receive tips at tips.fbi.gov or by calling (915) 832-5000.

 

A United Front Against Violence

This multi-agency effort aims to guarantee that schools remain secure learning and development environments. FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey, speaking from his roles as a law enforcement officer and a parent, underscores the significance of vigilance and communication. He encourages parents to converse with their children about school safety and promptly report concerns to authorities.

 

The collaboration extends beyond local agencies, as El Paso Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Luis Gonzalez acknowledges officials’ collective determination nationwide to curtail school violence. He emphasizes that commitment and collaboration are the only ways to achieve a safe and peaceful learning environment.

 

Conclusion

As El Paso and its surrounding areas enter a new academic year, the community is reminded that everyone has a role to play in preserving the safety of its students. Through active reporting, responsible social media behavior, and a united effort among law enforcement agencies, parents, students, and officials alike can work together to ensure that schools remain nurturing environments where growth and learning can thrive without the looming shadow of threats.

Hate Speech versus Hate Crimes

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Many people view hate speech and hate crime as one in the same. I’d like to explain how by law, hate speech and hate crime are considered two separate categories and how they are handled by the FBI.

 

Hate when used in hate crime law, does not mean rage, anger, or dislike. No matter how offensive to some, the FBI is keenly aware that expressing views is not a crime by itself and that the protections afforded under the Constitution cannot be compromised. Non-threatening hate conduct is protected by the First Amendment and the FBI does not investigate that conduct.

 

True threats, however, are NOT protected under the First Amendment. The Supreme Court has explained that “true threats” are statements meant to communicate a serious expression of an intent to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or group of individuals. A comment is NOT a true threat if it’s merely political hyperbole, threatens financial or emotional harm (rather than physical harm), or it’s just offensive (not matter how offensive it may be).

 

A hate crime is more than offensive speech or conduct. The FBI defines a hate crime as a “criminal offense (such as vandalism, arson, assault or murder) against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.”  The FBI will conduct hate crime investigations when credible allegations exist of a federal statue violation, we must gather facts on two parts: the crime and proving the motivation for committing the crime was based on bias.

 

Of course, racial, antisemitic, or anti-LGBTQ slurs-or other speech that vilifies a targeted group- can be used as evidence in a hate crime when used by someone during the criminal act. The hate speech will show the motivation or bias towards the victim based on the victim’s federally protected status. This motivation is important as proof of the offender’s bias.

 

It’s important to point out that once the FBI gathers all the facts about the alleged hate crime and it’s determined the suspect violated one of the federal hate crime statues, the FBI will then present the findings of the investigation to the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division in Washington DC. DOJ, consisting of federal prosecutors, will then make the determination about whether the suspect will be prosecuted or charged with a hate crime.

 

Hate crimes are not only an attack on the victim, but they also threaten and intimidate an entire community. Because of their wide-ranging impact, investigating hate crimes is a high priority for the FBI. Many hate crimes are not reported to law enforcement. Many people don’t want to report it or feel it won’t be taken seriously. We want to help, but we need to hear from you. If you believe you are a victim of a hate crime or a witness to a hate crime, contact your local FBI Office (FBI El Paso at 915-832-5000) or go to tips.fbi.gov.

 

Jeffrey R. Downey

Special Agent in Charge, FBI El Paso

We Remember – August 3, 2019 | Honoring Victims – Standing with Families and Survivors

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Four years ago, on this day, I received news that shook me to my core. I was away from home in Nashville when I got a call from my dear friend and advisor, Pastor Michael Grady. His voice trembled as he told me his daughter was among the victims of a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso. My heart sank, and I immediately reached out to my own family, praying that they were safe, but I couldn’t shake off the overwhelming feeling of sadness that engulfed the entire community of El Paso.

Today, as we remember that dark day, my thoughts are with the victims’ families, who carry the weight of their loss daily. I cannot fathom their pain, but I stand in solidarity with them, sending prayers for strength and healing. We must remember the names and faces of those we lost, for they were more than just statistics—they were loved ones, cherished members of their families and communities.

We implore you to call out the victims’ names and remember their families as you pray for peace and comfort.

  • Andre Anchondo, 23
  • Jordan Anchondo, 24
  • Arturo Benavides, 60
  • Leonardo Campos, 41
  • Angie Englisbee, 86
  • Maria Flores, 77
  • Raul Flores, 77
  • Guillermo “Memo” Garcia, 36
  • Jorge Calvillo García, 61
  • Adolfo Cerros Hernández, 68
  • Alexander Gerhard Hoffman, 66
  • David Johnson, 63
  • Luis Alfonzo Juarez, 90
  • Maria Eugenia Legarreta Rothe, 58
  • Maribel (Campos) Loya, 56
  • Ivan Filiberto Manzano, 46
  • Elsa Mendoza Marquez, 57
  • Gloria Irma Márquez, 61
  • Margie Reckard, 63
  • Sara Esther Regalado Moriel, 66
  • Javier Rodriguez, 15
  • Teresa Sanchez, 82
  • Juan Velazquez, 77

As we remember the victims, let us not forget the survivors. That tragic event forever altered their lives, and they bear that fateful day’s visible and invisible scars. We must respect their choices and the choices of those who stand with them in remembering and coping with the trauma they endured. Some may find solace in sharing their stories in person, while others might seek comfort online through support groups and forums. Some prefer to remember privately, in their thoughts and prayers. Whatever their choice may be, we must offer understanding and empathy.

In remembering this day, let us unite as a community, nation, and human beings. Let us honor the memory of those we lost by fostering a world of compassion, understanding, and love. While honoring the victims and survivors, let us forever engrain the insights gained from that sorrowful incident. Let us dedicate our efforts to preventing any future occurrence of such irrational cruelty.

Today, I stand with El Paso and all the communities affected by racism and domestic terrorism. May we find strength in unity and may the memories of those we lost serve as a powerful reminder of the work that still needs to be done.

August is Black Business Month

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Celebrate August as Black Business Month! Throughout the month, #EPBlackBusinessNetwork will shine a spotlight on Black Entrepreneurs on the Border, featured in the #ElPasoBlackBusinessDirectory. Founded by Historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr in 2004, National Black Business Month aims to impact policies affecting 2.6 million Black businesses.

Despite facing historical challenges like systemic racism, redlining, and violence, Black businesses have shown incredible resilience and success. Let’s honor those who paved the way for today’s entrepreneurs in El Paso County with Black El Paso Voice.

El Paso can make a positive impact by supporting initiatives like elpasoblackpages.com, a free platform for Black business owners, and the El Paso Black Business Network.  Embracing business diversity and celebrating milestones, successes, and progress in the Black business community is vital for our city’s continued success.

Black entrepreneurs bring unique perspectives, talents, and innovation that enrich the fabric of our city. It’s essential to provide them with the necessary resources, opportunities, and recognition.  Let’s also remember, as business owners, to prioritize delivering a pleasant customer experience. #BlackBusinessMonth #SupportBlackBusinesses #ElPasoEntrepreneurs #BusinessDiversity #InnovationMatters

FBI El Paso: Be Air Aware: How to Report Sexual Assaults Aboard Aircraft

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Summer travel season is in full swing. Let’s take a moment to discuss a serious federal crime I hope you never have to encounter, sexual assault on an airplane.

 

Compared to the tens of millions of U.S. citizens who fly each year, the number of in-flight sexual assault victims is relatively small, but even one victim is unacceptable. We are seeing more reports of in-flight sexual assault than ever before. This may be an underreported crime category, which is one reason we are hoping to draw added attention and encourage victims and witnesses to contact the FBI.

 

Unfortunately, people don’t think things like this happen on airplanes. There is a perception on an airplane that you’re in a bubble of safety. But particularly on overnight flights, where people may consume alcohol or take sleeping pills, and a dark cabin and close-quarter seating can give the perception of privacy and intimacy, offenders are tempted by opportunity.

 

Sexual assault aboard aircraft—which usually takes the form of unwanted touching—is a felony that can land offenders in prison. Typically, men are the perpetrators, and women and unaccompanied minors are the victims. The victims are usually in middle or window seats, sleeping, and covered with a blanket or jacket. They report waking up to their seatmate’s hands inside their clothing or underwear.

 

Many people don’t know, but any aircraft in flight from the moment the doors are closed until the time the doors are opened in the United States, falls under federal jurisdiction and the FBI will investigate federal crimes committed on that flight.  The FBI’s airport liaison agents across the U.S. work with local and airport law enforcement when crimes are reported aboard aircraft.

 

Although aggravated sexual assault, sexual abuse of a minor, or abusive sexual contact may be State charges, once the location of the aircraft is introduced, it becomes a federal crime.

 

Flyers need to be aware of their surroundings and take a few simple precautions to stay safe. Among suggested precautions:

  • Trust your gut. Offenders will often test their victims, sometimes pretending to brush against them to see how they react or if they wake up. “Don’t give them the benefit of the doubt,” Gates said. If such behavior occurs, reprimand the person immediately, and consider asking to be moved to another seat.
  • Recognize that mixing alcohol with sleeping pills or other medication on an overnight flight increases your risk. “Don’t knock yourself out with alcohol or drugs,” Gates said.
  • If your seatmate is a stranger, no matter how polite he or she may seem, keep the armrest between you down.
  • If you are arranging for a child to fly unaccompanied, try to reserve an aisle seat so flight attendants can keep a closer watch on them. FBI has seen victims as young as 8 years old.
  • If an incident happens, report it immediately to the flight crew and ask that they record the attacker’s identity and report the incident. Flight attendants and captains represent authority on the plane. They can alert law enforcement, and they can sometimes deal with the problem in the air. The flight crew can also put the offender on notice, which might prevent further problems.

 

If you think you are a victim or you have witnessed an incident, report the incident to your flight crew and contact the FBI. Try to take note of what has happened to better inform the responding agent or officer at the airport upon landing.

 

It doesn’t matter when you report an in-flight sexual assault—we take it seriously, and we will pursue it. But after the fact, these cases are much more difficult to prove. Report it immediately.

 

We want you to have a safe travel experience. There are all sorts of people in the air, just like on the ground.

 

Jeffrey R. Downey

Special Agent in Charge, FBI El Paso

Calling All Artistic Specialists! Join us in Shaping the Future of Young Black Artistic Visionaries!

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Attention artists specializing in painting, writing, music, dance, and other art forms! We invite you to join our mission of shaping the next generation of Black youth who are artistic visionaries from the ages of five to 18 years old.

No matter your creative expertise, whether it’s in painting, writing, music, dance, acting, or any other art form, your unique skills are highly valued. We are seeking individuals like you to become mentors and make a significant impact on the aspiring young artists of today.

By sharing your knowledge, experience, and passion, you can guide these talented individuals on their artistic journeys, helping them unlock their full potential. Together, we can create a community that celebrates creativity and nurtures the growth of future creative trailblazers.

If you’re ready to make a difference and contribute to the artistic legacy of tomorrow, we encourage you to join us as a mentor. Please contact Brandy Wyche at brandy@blackelpasovoice.com to learn more or express your interest.

Let’s come together to shape the future of art and inspire the next generation of Black artistic visionaries!

Protect The Programs and Systems that Support What Makes Your Organization Successful and Unique

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Intellectual property theft involves robbing people or companies of their ideas, inventions, and creative expressions—known as intellectual property. This can include everything from trade secrets to proprietary products to movies, music, and software.

 

The FBI investigates intellectual property theft in two different ways. Traditionally, the FBI looked at IP theft/theft of trade secrets (industrial espionage) as a white-collar violation under our Criminal Investigations Division. Our new approach to IP theft is an enhanced relationship between the FBI’s Criminal and Counterintelligence Divisions when working theft of trade secret cases. A trade secrets case (economic espionage) when worked under the counterintelligence program-occurs when the involvement of state-sponsored actors is suspected. Our goal is to contain and/or even prevent the theft as quickly as possible, no matter who’s behind it.

 

In 2022, intellectual property theft cost U.S. businesses 1.12 billion dollars.

The FBI’s intellectual property investigations focus on the theft of trade secrets and copyright infringement on products that can impact people’s health and safety, like counterfeit parts for cars and electronics. The FBI works with partners in the private sector and other law enforcement agencies at all levels to investigate these cases.

 

Economic espionage costs the American economy hundreds of billions of dollars per year and puts our national security at risk. Historically, economic espionage has targeted defense-related and high-tech industries. But recent FBI cases have shown that no industry, large or small, is immune to the threat. Any company with a proprietary product, process, or idea can be a target. Any unprotected trade secret can be illegally stolen.

 

FBI Director Christopher Wray has designated espionage as the FBI’s number two priority-second only to terrorism.

 

The FBI has dedicated agents and analysts located at the Department of Homeland Security’s National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center. The IPR Center strives to share critical information and raise awareness to the dangers of IP theft, fraud, cyber intrusions, and trade violations by coordinating with 25 key federal and international government agencies, as well as private sector partners to combat IP theft around the world. 

 

If you believe your company is a victim of these crimes, contact the FBI at 800-CALL-FBI, the FBI El Paso Field Office at (915) 832-5000 or the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at www.ice.gov/iprcenter.

 

Investigators cannot act if they are not aware of the problem. The FBI will minimize the disruption to your business and safeguard your privacy and your data during its investigation. Where necessary, the FBI will seek protective orders to preserve trade secrets and business confidentiality.

 

If your company has invested time and resources developing a product or idea –

 

Protect It!

 

Jeffrey R. Downey

Special Agent in Charge, FBI El Paso