Was the Fairgrounds Board Attempting to Stop the March for Justice for Elijah Hadley?

A 17 year old Mescalero Apache member was shot and killed by an Otero County Deputy Sheriff in a roadside shooting last month and the family is demanding answers.

The family of 17 year old Elijah Hadley is collaborating with a group organizing a remembrance and a "march for justice" that was originally planned to begin at the fairgrounds onward to the Sheriff's office, with cars parked in the city owned parking lot

As word spread of the planned protest a Fairgrounds Board member posted onto social media that organizers need to call her at the fairgrounds. The Vice chair of the fairgrounds board claimed that the group must get board approval to park their cars on the property..

In advance of that posting march organizer, Richard Welch said that he contacted leadership of the Mescalero Tribe and the City leadership to notify them of the planned march.

According to Mr. Welch the representatives of the Otero County Fairgrounds board said they would need to sign an MOU, get insurance and also suggested a potential $800 fee to park cars during the march. The representative then according to Welch said she needed to email the board and get their approval.

The parking lot is a city and county owned public msrking lot used often without MOUs by private organizations, private individuals, the Republican party, prayer groups and just as a gathering place to park for a few hours. In those situations no fees are charged, no insurance demanded and the parking lot is similar to a public park- open to the public.

The protest group were asking only to meet their, park their cars at the White Sands entrance and away from the pavilions to tjen proceed with their march to the sherrifs office

The justification being used by the representative of the fair board was that the pavilion was rented for a gun show by a group. However there is acres of parking available and the few people that would park near White Sands Blvd are a long distance from the pavilion entrance.

The organizers made the decision to use the parking lot at White Sands Mall as an alternative with mall leadership approval as ling as the proposed march was on the city sidewalks and not mall property. The group has moved the start to that location.

Meanwhile the assistant city manager contacted Mr. Welch and said the city attorney would be reaching out to rhe fair board as they cannot prohibit use by the public of the fairgrounds parking lot to park.

A protest to demand justice for a 17 year old who was shot 19 times by a police officer can ignite passions and judgment by those unfamiliar with the facts and the ongoing investigation

Was the fair board representatives attempting to squash a protest for justice for Elija Hadley or was this an honest mistake in understanding that the parking lot is public domain?

Organizers may never know but now the city attorney is involved and notifying the board of their legal decision making authority.

In the meantime the protest is scheduled for 9 am Saturday meeting at White Sands Mall.

Per Richard Welch organizer, " the meet up has changed to the South End Of The White Sands Mall, across the street from the Sheriff's Department. The mall is not associated with the protest, asked us not to protest on their property and to not have any protest signs attached to vehicles. Hand held signs are ok.They are kind enough to let us use their property, which is appreciated, Bottom line we will meet there and start the protest once we are on the public sidewalks that run along White Sands Blvd. The time and date will still be the same at 9am Aug 3 Saturday morning."

To learn more view our coverage of the incident around the death of Elijah Hadley via the links below:

More Questions than Answers: Rally Planning for Elijah Hadley

Justice for Elijah Hadley March for Justice Saturday 9 am

Interview with Richard Welch

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