10-12-2024 4:12am

Social Justice and Community is the Theme this Saturday in Alamogordo

Chris Edwards Editor

Social Justice is in the air and is the theme permeating the City of Alamogordo and Otero County as the sun rises on Saturday October 12th, 2024. A Justice for Elijah rally, LULAC Council 8105 Social Justice Summit and "A Day of Hope" event by Pastor Torres addressing needs of tbr underserved homeless community all happening Saturday from 8 am onward...

Three events are planned for Saturday that address social justice and tackle the thorny issues of the underserved and at risk populations of Alamogordo who seek justice, refuge and respect for dignity of life.

Calls for justice for a 17-year-old Mescalero Apache boy killed by a sheriff’s deputy in June continue as the Otero County Sheriff, David Black finally made mention of the death of Elijah Hadley at a recent county commission meeting after months of silence on the issue. His brief statement confirmed an ongoing investigation by the DA's offices. Meanwhile press from around the nation has questioned the legitimacy of the shooting and the family continues to mourn and seek justice. On Saturday the sister of the victim, Katie Rose is hosting yet another protest as a reminder that justice still has not been served for the death of her brother. His birthday would have been celebrated on October 11th. In his memory she is hosting an "Elijah Hadley's 18TH HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY Protest March.
Saturday Morning October 12th starting at 9 am at the fairgrounds, with a march to the sheriff's office. She and the family will have drinks, pizza, and birthday cake to honor Elijah's memory.

Concurrent to the protest and memorial to Elijah Hadley's protest the LULAC Council 8105 is hosting a regional Conference and Summit on Civil Rights and Social Justice on October 12th, 2024 from 8 am to 7 pm at the Tays Center on the Campus of NMSU-Alamogordo, 2400 North Scenic Road. The LULAC Council 8105 leadership has been actively involved in partnership with the family and supporters of the Elijah Hadley advocacy organization leading past protests aling with the family members and raising awareness of the injustice of a 17 year shot 19 times. The leadership of LULAC have said they are committed to helping seek justice for any community members wirh the greater Otero County Community. While the Elijah Hadley protest is going on LULAC Council 8105 will be engaged in an all day long summit addressing issues of civil rights and social justice with a day long conference hosting a variety of speakers and social justice workshops and advocacy from around the state of New Mexico and Western Texas.

And all the while social justice and civil rights are being addressed via a protest at the fairgrounds, and a summit at the Tays Center, nationally recognized local pastor Anthony Torres, is hosting a Day of Hope Event for the homeless to raise awareness for suicide prevention and to serve the local at risk populations with an event at 1st and White Sands Blvd...

The Pastor Torres sponsored evenr will include free meals, shower and hygiene offerings and educational programs and outreach.

Saturday is a day offering a multitude of activities each in the name of community service to raise awareness, educate the public and seek collaboration around rights, social justice and dignity of diverse community interests making up the social fabric of Alamogordo.