Defiende Nuestra Tierra’s program director said reconnecting Latino families with their ancestral roots to the land is at the heart of the organization’s mission to get more people involved in protecting public lands.
Category: Social justice
Posted inSocial justice
Former J-1 visa student receives about $17,000 in wage complaint against Aspen Meadows
Velichkovikj was one of about two dozen J-1 employees at the Meadows who sent a letter at the end of last summer detailing a range of concerns involving tipping and wage practices, workplace treatment and housing conditions.
Posted inSocial justice
New affordable senior housing opens as region confronts aging demographics, rising costs
“Seniors are just such an important part of our community. Many of them are still working … and as we have costs rising so significantly, incomes don’t always keep up and it’s usually those on fixed incomes or limited income mobility that gets squeezed out first.”
Posted inSocial justice
Mobile home parks under contract for resident ownership
“It’s amazing that the local community, Basalt, Carbondale and Aspen [and more], came together like this and contributed this staggering amount of money,” he said. “But they can’t keep doing it.”
Posted inSocial justice
Indigenous youths finish historic journey down Klamath River with help of Aspen-based nonprofit after dams removed
Now that the dams are out, Thompson hopes reconnecting with the river, including through salmon fishing and recreation opportunities, can help address a rise in health concerns such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as mental health challenges faced by tribes in the region, including addiction and suicide.
Posted inSocial justice
Residents and advocates push for stronger mobile home protections as investors buy up properties
“Right now, the residents, even if they have a bid that meets the price, the owner today could choose not to give it to the residents,” Sanchez said. “We believe that’s wrong and we believe that residents should have the opportunity to buy their own park first.”
Posted inSocial justice
Amid national protests, local residents speak out against ICE and support immigrant communities
“We cannot tie immigrants, tie the value of immigrants, to their utility to us. … [They], first and foremost, are people, and the fact that there are people is enough to advocate for them.”
Posted inSocial justice
Local attorneys spread awareness about increase in scams targeting immigrants
Immigration attorneys in the Roaring Fork Valley are spreading awareness about a recent rise in scams and extortion targeting immigrants in Colorado and across the country. An increase in federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration this year has resulted in heightened fear and insecurity for many immigrants, which can make people more vulnerable to […]
Posted inSocial justice
Advocates and attorneys see uptick in community reports of ICE activity, but caution the spread of misinformation
Aspen Public Radio’s All Things Considered anchor Halle Zander spoke with Social Justice Reporter Eleanor Bennett about the latest reports and her conversations with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), local law enforcement agencies, immigration attorneys, and advocacy groups.
Posted inSocial justice
Schools partner with nonprofit Response to teach consent and prevent sexual violence
To try to prevent people from becoming victims and perpetrators, Basalt-based nonprofit Response is partnering with local schools to teach students about consent and healthy relationships in the age of smartphones and social media.
