PDNCRP 2010 Summer Law Clerks
July 17, 2010 by sozo
From left to right: Victoria Wilson, Yana Garcia, Clarissa Fernandez, Vivian Hernandez, Ariana Flores
Clarissa Fernandez
I am originally from a small ranching community in the outskirts of Laredo Texas. I have recently completed my second year of law school at Texas Tech University School of Law, and I am eager to begin working for the Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project (PDNCRP). I received my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from the University of Texas at Arlington, and I hope to utilize my degree by pursuing criminal law/civil rights related endeavors. I chose to intern with the PDNCRP because I have a sincere desire to elevate my community and the people within that community through the law. I am a strong believer that knowledge is power, and this organization maintains the perfect balance of litigation and community outreach. Some of the accomplishments I wish to pursue while working for PDNCRP include: observing court proceedings; drafting motions and petitions; informing the community about their civil rights; and acquainting myself with the El Paso community.
Ariana Flores
I just finished my first year at University of Washington Law School in Seattle. I am a Gates Public Service Scholar at UW, which means that I have committed to using my legal education to practice public interest law. I decided to work at Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project for a number of reasons. Primarily, I was impressed by the organization’s combination of impact litigation, direct service, and organizing work in the areas of economic justice, civil rights, and advocacy for survivors of various forms of violence. I plan to practice in the realm of immigrants’ rights, and wanted to be near the border to better understand the issues that immigrants experience day to day. Finally, I am originally from Corpus Christi but have lived outside of the state for the past ten years. I wanted to contribute to an organization whose mission is to improve the civil rights situation in my home state.
Yana Garcia
I’m originally from Oakland California and grew up there as well as in Oaxaca Mexico where I lived as a child. I graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz with a BA in Politics after which I moved to Minnesota to take my first job out of college far away from home. For the first two years after finishing my undergraduate degree I worked as an organizer and project coordinator of renewable energy projects on Native Reservation communities throughout the country as well as in Mexico. It was through this work with a national organization called Honor the Earth, that I was inspired to explore a possible legal career. My goal in law school has been to gain knowledge and tools that will enable me to continue working with indigenous communities in the U.S. and elsewhere to improve, maintain and protect access to resources that are rightfully ours to preserve for future generations. At Northeastern School of Law in Boston Massachusetts I have become interested in exploring international human rights law and civil rights litigation in the area of Environmental Justice as well as Immigration and Labor law as they impact undocumented people in this country who are often also of indigenous descent. I feel really excited to work here at the Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project and am honored to be able to learn from and support all those who are here!
Vivian Hernandez
I am originally from El Paso, TX. I completed my undergraduate work at the University of Texas at El Paso where I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in English and American Literature with a minor in Women’s Studies. I was very active with the Women’s Studies Department and organized several productions of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues. At UTEP, I also participated in the Law School Preparation Institute, after which I went on to attend Cornell Law School and have just completed my first year. This summer I decided to work with PDNCRP because I wanted to have an opportunity to come back to El Paso and work in my community as well as the valuable experience I will receive this summer improving my writing skills and interacting with a wide range of people. I am also greatly interested in continuing a career in public interest that focuses on civil rights issues.
Victoria Wilson
I grew up in a lobstering village on the coast of Maine, where I was the only girl in my town who listened to the Dead Kennedys. I’m a 2L at Northeastern University School of Law and I’m interested in immigration and asylum law, economic justice law, labor law, and prison reform. My parents are labor activists, so over the years I have acquired an ad hoc knowledge of rank-and-file politics. I am a former community organizer for various health care, environmental, and prison reform campaigns. I have an M.A. in Political Anthropology, and I wrote my master’s thesis on the use of film as political propaganda in the Middle East and China. This is a fascinating but practically useless subject, hence my decision to attend law school rather than expand it into a dissertation. When I’m not studying, my hobbies are swimming, biking, (occasionally) rock climbing, drawing pictures, watching movies, finding great live music, and writing short stories.
PDNCRP 2010 Spring Volunteers
June 15, 2010 by webmin
The staff at the Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project want to thank our wonderful volunteers from this past semester for all their hard work! There is no way we would have been able to accomplish all that we did without your help; thank you for the opportunity to work with and get to know you all.
Catharine Grahm
Catharine Grahm is a woman literally willing to go wherever the road takes her. Originally from Minnesota, she came to the southwest after extended exploration of the continental United States. She chose El Paso to learn about the Chihuahuan Desert and the people/culture of our nation’s largest immigrant population. These reasons, together with her concern for the limits of the natural world, have drawn her to work that focuses on issues of social and environmental justice. She is currently pursuing opportunities in Antarctica as part of “learning about the Earth in its actual present state. We need a better way, and I want to join with others to affect the paradigm shift that will get us there.”
Felicia Flores
Born in El Paso Texas, I was mostly raised in south Texas and San Antonio. I’ve lived in El Paso all my life, and while I enjoy the borderland and its history and culture, I will always call south Texas home. Currently in my senior year at the University of Texas at El Paso, I will be graduating this spring completing my Bachelor’s of Arts in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Women’s Studies. I came to Paso Del Norte as an intern involved with the Women’s Studies Department at UTEP. I chose to help out and volunteer my time with Paso Del Norte because of my interest in civil rights advocacy. I have a firm belief that Paso Del Norte is making a great social change for the community of El Paso. Though I have only been interning for a few months, I can say that within that time I have been truly impressed with the dedication and hard work each staff member and volunteer puts forth towards equality and civil rights. I have experienced and learned so much about the impact and importance of non-profit work.
Priscilla Moreno
I am part of the 2010 graduating class of UTEP with a degree in Political Science and History. During my time at UTEP, I co-founded and was president of Students for Reform, an activist organization dedicated to informing and organizing the campus and community regarding political, social, and environmental issues. I plan on attending law school in the fall of 2011 and my legal interests include civil rights, immigration, and international law.
Ana Martinez
My name is Ana Martinez, I am currently a sophomore at the University of Texas at El Paso. I’m double majoring in Political Science and Psychology with a minor in English.
Kimberly Heredia
My name’s Kimberly Heredia and I am currently a volunteer here at Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project. I am a junior at UTEP, pursuing my bachelors in social work. I was born here in El Paso and partially raised in California. Life has led me through many interesting paths that have crossed along the way and I have chosen to study substance and alcohol abuse counseling. There is something about working for the forgotten and underprivileged, lost and in need of re-direction, that drives me to aid in any way that I possibly can. I have that natural calling…and I think that is what you need to flourish in this particular field. My experience so far just being in the social work and “helping” environment, reassures me that this is the kind of work I was meant to do. I look forward to future exposure and experiences and to broadening my knowledge and wisdom even more.
Alfredo Tellez
I recently moved from Cd. Juárez to El Paso TX. No, I didn’t move because of the violence, it was because my beautiful wife and I decided to make our life in this city. I worked for over 10 years in a political party in Cd. Juarez Mexico. Some of my duties were to channel government aid to those who need it and we supported people’s rights when they were challenge by the same government. I love to be of any assistance and to give back to the community. One positive action is followed by another.
Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project Fiesta 2010 Volunteers
Federal agencies find in favor of dismissed worker
May 22, 2010 by webmin
Francisco Alarcon
El Diario de El Paso March 23, 2010
Eric Murillo, an El Paso worker who noticed unsafe working conditions at his place of employment [Chaffhaye, Inc.], was fired in June 2009 because of his attempts to organize his co-workers to demand a safer workplace.
Yesterday, however, he was congratulated in front of the Federal Building for winning what is considered a historical labor rights case in the National Labor Relations Board, forcing safer working conditions in the Chaffhaye plant. Chaffhaye is devoted to production of forage and livestock feed.
In May and June of 2009, Murillo worked as a driver for the company, according to his legal representative from Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project, Chris Benoit. Mr. Murillo realized that working conditions were unsafe, unfair, and violated federal guidelines. He chose not to stay silent.
The El Pasoan talked with his co-workers and organized a meeting to consult with legal counsel about their rights. The company vehicles were dangerous; the workers were in the field for more than 12 hours without water and had no protection for using heavy machinery required for their profession.
“Chaffhaye Inc. told him that if he kept talking to other employees, he would have to leave the company,” according to reports. It is against federal law to fire an employee when they exercise their right to organize or express discontent about the company.
Eric Murillo in the company of family and friends
(photograph: Jorge Jimenez / El Diario de El Paso)
“Employers must comply with the law,” Benoit said, adding that by taking his case before the National Labor Relations Board, Murillo pushed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to conduct on-site inspections that resulted in fines for hazardous conditions. In addition, Mr. Murillo signed a settlement that forces Chaffhaye to place signs in plain view for the staff to see that indicate that no worker would be fired for talking about their working conditions. The company will also pay him backpay for his dismissal.
“Although the safety conditions were atrocious, more disturbing is the fact that the company blatantly fired an employee who attempted to improve the work environment,” added the lawyer. “The success of Mr. Murillo must show workers that they do not have to fear their bosses.”
Falla Corte Federal a favor de trabajador despedido
Francisco Alarcón
El Diario de El Paso 23-03-2010
Eric Murillo, un obrero paseño que notó condiciones de trabajo peligrosas en la compañía en la que laboraba, fue despedido de la misma cuando en Junio del 2009 intentó reunir a sus compañeros para exigir más seguridad y la empresa lo amenazó con correrlo.
Sin embargo, ayer se congratuló frente a la Corte Federal al haber ganado lo que se considera un caso histórico de derechos del trabajador en la Junta Nacional de Relaciones Laborales, forzando así medidas más seguras en el ambiente de trabajo de la compañía Chaffhaye, dedicada a la producción de forraje y alimento para ganado.
En Mayo y Junio del 2009, Murillo se desempeñaba como chofer en esa empresa. Según dijo su representante legal del Proyecto de Derechos Civiles Paso del Norte, Chris Benoit, el hombre se percató de que las condiciones de trabajo eran inseguras e injustas, aparte de que iban en contra de lineamientos federales y los patrones no habían hecho nada al respecto, por lo que no quiso quedarse callado.
El paseño habló con sus compañeros de trabajo y organizó una junta para consultar con asesores legales los derechos que les correspondían. Los vehículos de la compañía eran peligrosos para ser manejados, los trabajadores estaban en el campo por más de 12 horas sin tener agua disponible, y no contaban con la protección para utilizar la maquinaria pesada requerida para su oficio.
“Y lo que hizo Chaffhaye Inc. fue decirle que si no dejaba de hablar con los demás empleados, se iba a tener que ir de la empresa”, según informes, los cuales especifican que va en contra de la ley federal el realizar ese tipo de acción pues cualquier empleado tiene por derecho el organizarse para expresar descontentos e informárselos a la compañía para la cual trabaja.
“Los empleadores tienen que cumplir con la ley”, dijo Benoit, quien indicó que al llevar su caso frente a la Junta Nacional de Relaciones Laborales, Murillo logró que la compañía fuera sujeta a inspecciones y las condiciones peligrosas salieran a la luz. Además, se forzó a Chaffhaye a poner a la vista de sus empleados letreros en donde se anunciaba que ningún trabajador sería despedido por hablar de sus condiciones de trabajo.
“Aunque el escenario laboral fuera atroz, es más perturbador el hecho de que la compañía despidió descaradamente a un empleado que intentaba mejorar el ambiente de trabajo,” agregó el abogado. “El éxito del señor Murillo debe mostrar a los trabajadores que no tienen que esconderse y temer a sus patrones.”
Paso del Norte Fiesta Fronteriza Honors Local Heroes
May 10, 2010 by admin
View Slide Show of 2010 Fiesta Fronteriza
Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project announces its Fourth Annual
Fiesta Fronteriza:
Remembering Our Roots, Building Our Future
El Paso Community College
Administrative Services Building
9050 Viscount
El Paso, Texas 79925
Friday, May 7, 2010
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Thank You, El Paso for a Fantastic Fiesta Fronteriza
Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project celebrated its fourth annual Fiesta Fronteriza: Remembering Our Roots, Building Our Future on May 7th, 2010.
This year’s event theme was Revolution Without Arms in commemoration of those civil rights heroes that have brought about change without resorting to violence. The nominees and awardees were recognized for their efforts in promoting civil rights through service, education and advocacy. Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project received numerous nominations from the community, from which finalists were selected.
The Department of Social Work of the University of Texas at El Paso received the Education Award for their efforts in training professionals that provide quality social work services and understand the El Paso-Juarez community.
The Advocacy Award was given to Mariana Chew-Sanchez for her leadership and advocacy in turning the environmental challenges we face in our community into social justice issues of broad appeal.
Hon. Alicia Rosencras Chacón received the Service Award for her efforts for the advancement of Latinos in education, employment, and public service.
Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project also recognized the El Paso Bar Association and local attorneys participating in the Parenting Order Legal Clinics with the Access to Justice Award.
During the reception, Irma Guadalupe Casas Franco received the Legends of Justice Award on behalf of the deceased Esther Chavez Cano, who dedicated her life to defending women’s rights. Valerie Geason also received this award on behalf of her mother, Leona Ford Washington. Ms. Washington dedicated her life to serving her community, demonstrated not only by a teaching career that spanned 39 years, but also by her establishment of the McCall Neighborhood Center.
Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project would like to thank the community for helping us promote racial, economic, and social justice.
Restaurant Employees Sue for Overtime Pay
March 20, 2010 by webmin
Press Release
EL PASO (Feb. 2, 2010) — A group of community members protested in front of Los Gallegos Mexican Restaurant at 4400 North Mesa Street today asking for the payment of unpaid overtime compensation for workers of the restaurant. Two local organizations, the Labor Justice Committee and Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project (PCRP) rallied behind a former employee who is attempting to recover thousands of dollars in overtime wages for several years of work.
PCRP filed a lawsuit on behalf of Jose Luis Villarreal, a former employee of Los Gallegos restaurant, asking for thousands of dollars in unpaid overtime pay and other damages from the restaurant owner.
“I worked for Los Gallegos for nine years and always worked over forty hours per week. I asked the owner of Los Gallegos many times during my employment why he was not paying us our overtime hours,” said Mr. Villarreal, “In the end he fired me for standing up for my rights. In the restaurant industry, many workers are working from forty up to ninety-hour weeks without any overtime pay. It is time that restaurant owners pay their employees the overtime they deserve.”
Restaurant employees must receive at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour and overtime pay for all hours worked over 40 hours per week. Overtime pay is time and a half of the promised hourly rate.
“Mr. Villarreal was a victim of systematic and severe overtime violations. By not paying overtime wages to its employees, Los Gallegos is robbing thousands of dollars from its workers every year,” said Chris Benoit, an attorney with Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project, “And this is not an isolated incident. A recent report by the National Employment Law Project stated that 76% of low-wage workers see overtime violations similar to Mr. Villarreal’s case.”
“Employers in El Paso seem to think they are above the law. We are here to keep these employers from acting with such impunity.” added Gabriela Barraza, a member of the Labor Justice Committee as she held up a sign that read “Honk To Support Worker’s Rights!”
Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project also filed a lawsuit today in state court against Jerusalem International Food and Grill, LLC for unpaid minimum wage and overtime wages owed to a former employee.
