It’s with great pride we celebrate our 17th year of publishing. The Weekly Issue/El Semanario was established in 1989 in hopes of maintaining our culture and language. For centuries Latino-led newspapers have chronicled our history – the good, the bad and the ugly – by documenting the life and times of our people, despite attempts of outside censorship.

My cultural roots reflect my passion for unidad y justicia among our people, in researching newspaper history over the years, New México was the birth place for several Spanish language and bilingual newspapers in the mid 1800s – speaking out in defense of “las masas de hombres pobres/the masses of poor.”

Today, we continue this mantra in speaking out for “las masas de hombres pobres.” Oppression of our people is centuries old, and continues today. Our front page article highlights the fatal battle that people in Oaxaca, México are facing – against their own government – the rich and powerful versus the poor and powerless. A shift in control is about to begin – both nationally and internationally -- the oppressed are unifying, realizing they have the numbers, and they have the ability to change the climate of our society.

In this issue, we also tap into the old “divide and conquer” tactic with a three-part article by the Southern Poverty Law Center, addressing the divisive actions by minutomen, using Black-on-Brown hate antics to further the anti-immigrant cause.

Seeds of past generations have produced a renewed energy within our young people and have taken root within The Weekly Issue/El Semanario’s future. My daughter, Cristina Frésquez, who was eight-years-old when the publication was established, has now taken the reins as Managing Editor, replacing Toni Frésquez.

Growing up in a family business, my wife and I agreed we would not force our children to follow our footsteps -- well, there was a little encouragement! Ultimately, the decision was up to Cristina and we are extremely proud with this new development, and rest assured her outlook comes with an experienced history, and a renewed vision. Cristina’s serious attention to detail, and keen observation of this life around her, fits so well into her new role.

For the past three years, Cristina has written on various levels and captured historical moments through her photography. Prior to that, she and her brother, Christopher, have experienced all aspects of ...