New Mexico
‘A call to action’: New Mexico mayors convene for CAM antisemitism forum
As New Mexico continues to grapple with the rise of anti-Jewish incidents that spiked around the world in the wake of the start of the Israel-Hamas War over 500 days ago, a dozen leaders from across the southwestern US state convened for a forum hosted by Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) on Tuesday to discuss how their cities could combat antisemitism.
According to CAM, the rate of antisemitic incidents in New Mexico have quadrupled since the war began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel that killed some 1,200 people.
Mayors and municipal officials were among those who attended the forum, which was co-hosted by Santa Fe, Española, and Las Vegas. The cities of Albuquerque, Pecos, Los Alamos, Grants, Santa Rosa, Bernalillo, Clovis, and Red River were also represented at the event.
During the forum, mayors present shared their experiences in countering hatred, discussed best practices, and developed strategies to combat antisemitism, CAM stated.
These strategies reportedly included local policy measures that could be implemented, greater engagement in CAM initiatives, and commitments from the cities to recognize Jewish American Heritage and to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism.
“Getting New Mexico mayors together is an important step toward preventing and addressing antisemitism and hate in all of our communities,” Santa Fe Mayor Alan Weber said. “In our discussions today, we all agreed to work together for the good of all of New Mexico –and that’s why we came together.”
The mayors participated in a roundtable discussion at the forum focusing on CAM’s Municipal Antisemitism Action Index. The discussion was moderated by CAM Chief Government Affairs Officer Lisa Katz.
Katz noted that the index helps cities evaluate and improve their responses to antisemitism.
‘Powerful call to action against antisemitism’
“Today’s roundtable discussion was a powerful call to action against antisemitism and hate in general here in New Mexico, a testament to the importance of promoting understanding and unity for all,” Las Vegas Mayor David Romero added.
Española Mayor John Ramon Vigil commented, “Hate is a factor that is growing within our communities on various scales — not just limited to antisemitic hatred. Events such as these help us better prepare and understand how we grow our communities in a positive manner.”
“The New Mexico Mayors Roundtable was a vital opportunity for local leaders to address the rising challenges of antisemitism, extremism, and hate-fueled violence affecting their communities,” Katz said after the forum, adding, “The leadership of these mayors and their peers throughout the state is essential in ensuring that New Mexico remains a place where all residents feel safe and respected.”
LAS CRUCES, N.M (KFOX14/CBS4) — A gun-tracking program that uses shell casings to connect shootings is already helping investigators link crimes in Doña Ana County, according to new numbers released by the New Mexico Department of Justice.
The effort is part of New Mexico’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center, which uses ballistic evidence such as shell casings to track guns believed to be used in multiple crimes. The program relies on the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, or NIBIN, a national database that compares ballistic evidence to determine whether shell casings may have come from the same weapon.
In April, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez described how the technology can connect cases across jurisdictions.
“There may be a shooting that occurs in Deming that’s actually connected to a crime gun that’s recovered in Las Cruces. We may find shell casings in Silver City that are connected to something that happened in T or C,” Torrez said.
Four months into the program, the Department of Justice said 210 bullet casings have been analyzed in Doña Ana County. Those casings helped link 32 incidents to 13 guns.
Jordan Salas reports on New Mexico DOJ data: Shell-casing tracking links shootings in Doña Ana County (Credit: KFOX14)
Statewide, more than 700 casings have been entered into the system, connecting 74 shootings to 31 guns.
One person reacting to the numbers said, “That’s crazy. Honestly, all those shootings all coming from that little amount of weapons is crazy.”
New Mexico officials say the system is designed to help law enforcement share information faster and build cases more efficiently.
Also in April, Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart pointed to a local case she said the technology helped resolve quickly.
“We resolved a homicide with a suspect arrest in four days. We know that those casings may lead to another 1 or 2 incidents in another city,” Stewart said.
Some residents said the technology alone will not solve gun violence, but they see it as a step forward. One person said, “I mean, growing up, like hearing gunshots in the distance. That wasn’t something crazy. I have stories of, like, friends who’ve gone to parties that had guns go off there. So, yeah, I would say guns are a problem there.”
Another person said, “I would think that it’s a good thing. I’m personally like, just anything to help the gun crimes, you know?”
KFOX14/CBS4 contacted Las Cruces police and the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office to ask how the leads are being used in local investigations, but we are awaiting a response.
RECOMMENDED: New statewide crime gun intelligence center delivers leads, officials say in Las Cruces
RECOMMENDED: Las Cruces farmers warn tight margins, rising fuel and fertilizer costs threaten future
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.
- Who: New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez brought a lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc.
- Why: The state claims Meta misrepresented harms to minors and created a public nuisance through its social media platforms.
- Where: The lawsuit is pending in New Mexico state court.
- How to get help: Has social media impacted the mental health of you or your child? You may qualify to join a social media lawsuit against the platform.
New Mexico’s attorney general is asking a state court to order Meta to pay approximately $3.7 billion to address what the state describes as a “public nuisance” caused by the company’s social media platforms.
The request comes after a jury previously found Meta misrepresented the risks its platforms — including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp — pose to underage users. The jury also imposed a $375 million penalty in the first phase of the trial.
The case has now moved into a second phase, where the court will determine what additional remedies, if any, Meta must provide.
According to the state, the proposed $3.712 billion abatement plan would fund a 15-year effort to address the alleged harms caused by Meta’s platforms. The plan includes funding for public education, school resources, law enforcement support and mental health services for children affected by issues, such as online bullying and sexual exploitation.
“This request recognizes the scope of the public nuisance that Meta has caused,” counsel for the state argued in court.
The lawsuit alleges Meta concealed or downplayed the extent of harmful activity on its platforms while publicly portraying them as safe for younger users.
Meta disputes liability, challenges proposed abatement plan
Meta denies the allegations and argues there is no legal basis for the sweeping relief requested by the state.
Attorneys for the company contend the proposed abatement plan does not directly address or stop the alleged harmful conduct and instead seeks compensation for downstream effects.
“What no court has ever allowed … is payment for the downstream effects,” Meta’s counsel argued, describing the request as “damages masquerading as something else.”
The court is expected to hear additional testimony during the second phase of the trial before determining whether to approve any form of injunctive relief or financial remedies.
In March, a California jury found Meta and Google liable for mental health harms suffered by plaintiff Kaley G.M., who became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child, awarding $6 million in damages, including $3 million in compensatory damages and $3 million in punitive damages.
What do you think about the claims against Meta in this case? Let us know in the comments.
The state is represented by Raul Torrez of the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General and Donald Migliori, Linda Singer, Michael Pendell and David Ackerman of Motley Rice LLC.
The Meta lawsuit is New Mexico v. Meta Platforms Inc., et al., Case No. D-101-CV-2023-02838, in the First Judicial District Court of New Mexico.
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
-
News5 minutes agoThe New Harvard Trend? Getting Punched in the Face.
-
Politics11 minutes agoWhich Trump Tariffs Are in Place, in the Works or Ruled Illegal
-
Business17 minutes agoChina’s Exports and Imports Set Records in April Amid High Energy Costs
-
Science23 minutes agoVideo: Pentagon Releases U.F.O. Files
-
Health29 minutes agoHantavirus Vaccines and Treatments Are in the Pipeline
-
Culture41 minutes agoBook Review: ‘Selling Opportunity,’ by Mary Lisa Gavenas
-
Lifestyle47 minutes agoHunting For Lexapro Clocks, Viagra Neckties and Other Vintage Pharmaceutical Merch
-
Technology59 minutes agoDyson’s powerful 360 Vis Nav robovac is down to $279.99 for a limited time