Tuesday, October 13, 2026
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Purépecha: The empire that was never conquered and whose culture lives on

Purépechas preservan tradiciones ancestrales durante una ceremonia comunitaria en Michoacán. Purépecha people preserve ancestral traditions during a community ceremony in Michoacán.

A legacy that continues to endure

by Marvin Ramírez

More than five centuries ago, as the Mexica (Aztec) Empire expanded across much of Mesoamerica, one powerful rival resisted its advance. In what is now the Mexican state of Michoacán, the Purépecha Empire flourished as one of the most sophisticated civilizations of pre-Hispanic Mexico. Remarkably, its descendants still preserve their language, traditions, and cultural identity today.

From their capital at Tzintzuntzan, on the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro, the Purépecha built a strong political system, became masters of copper metallurgy, and established one of the region’s most formidable states. Unlike many neighboring peoples, they were never conquered by the Mexica despite repeated military campaigns.

Today, more than half a million people identify as Purépecha, mainly in the Purépecha Highlands and the Lake Pátzcuaro region. Their ancestral language remains widely spoken, while customs, ceremonies, and community traditions continue to be passed down through generations.

The Purépecha possess one of Mexico’s richest cultural heritages. Their traditional music, the pirekua, was recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for its role in preserving memory, identity, and social harmony. Their artistic traditions also include the world-famous guitars of Paracho, hammered copper from Santa Clara del Cobre, pottery, lacquerware, embroidered textiles, and colorful ceremonial masks.

Traditional celebrations remain central to community life. The annual Purépecha New Fire ceremony, religious festivals blending Indigenous and Catholic traditions, and the celebrated Day of the Dead observances around Lake Pátzcuaro attract thousands of visitors eager to experience one of Mexico’s oldest living cultures.

That legacy, however, faces modern challenges. Communities such as Sevina and Cherán have recently drawn national attention because of pressure from organized crime groups seeking control of natural resources and local territories. An armed attack on Sevina last May underscored the need to protect not only Indigenous communities but also the cultural heritage they safeguard.

Despite these threats, the Purépecha continue to preserve their traditions with remarkable resilience. Their language, community governance, music, and ceremonies remain symbols of cultural pride. On social media, descendants living in the United States frequently express that same connection to their roots. As one viewer commented on a Loving Mexico YouTube documentary, “We’re here and we aren’t going anywhere. Long live Michoacán!”

More than a relic of history, the Purépecha are a living civilization whose endurance demonstrates that the greatest victory is preserving a people’s identity through the centuries.

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Protecting the vote means protecting democracy

Marvin Ramírez, editor

by Marvin Ramírez

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation that would establish a federal voter identification requirement while also restricting members of Congress from purchasing new individual stocks. Whether the measure ultimately becomes law will depend on the Senate, but one provision deserves careful attention on its own: requiring every voter to verify his or her identity before casting a ballot.

That should not be a controversial idea.

In a constitutional republic, voting is the highest expression of civic participation. It is the moment when citizens peacefully transfer political power and determine the nation’s future. Because of its importance, elections must meet two equally essential standards: they must be fair, and they must be seen as fair. When either of those standards is weakened, public confidence begins to erode.

For generations, the United States was regarded as a global model of democratic stability. In recent years, however, Americans have witnessed repeated accusations, investigations, recounts, lawsuits, and political disputes over election integrity. Regardless of which party raised those concerns or whether individual allegations were ultimately validated or rejected, one fact is difficult to dispute: millions of Americans today have less confidence in the electoral system than they did a decade ago.

No democracy benefits when its citizens doubt the legitimacy of its elections.

It is also difficult to explain why Americans are routinely asked to verify their identity for activities that carry far less significance than voting. A government-issued ID is commonly required to board an airplane, open a bank account, apply for many public benefits, obtain a driver’s license, complete financial transactions, or enter numerous government facilities. Identity verification has become a normal safeguard because it protects both institutions and the public from fraud.

Why should choosing the leaders of the world’s oldest continuous constitutional republic require a lower standard of verification?

The argument for voter identification is not about making voting harder. It is about making illegal voting harder.

Every democracy has two equally important responsibilities. The first is ensuring that every eligible citizen can vote freely and conveniently. The second is ensuring that every citizen can be confident that only eligible voters participated in deciding the outcome. These goals are not contradictory. In fact, they depend on one another.

Critics argue that voter identification requirements could create obstacles for certain groups, including senior citizens, low-income Americans, rural residents, or people who lack current identification. Those concerns deserve serious attention. If government decides that identification should be required, then government also has an obligation to make obtaining acceptable identification simple, accessible, and free whenever possible. No qualified citizen should lose the right to vote because of unnecessary financial or bureaucratic barriers.

At the same time, public confidence cannot be dismissed as an inconvenience. Elections do not derive legitimacy solely from accurate vote counts. They also depend on widespread public trust that the rules are applied equally to everyone.

Reasonable verification measures alone will not solve every challenge facing American elections. No single law can accomplish that. But requiring voters to confirm their identity sends an important message: every legal vote belongs to one eligible citizen, and every eligible citizen deserves assurance that the integrity of the ballot is being protected.

Trust is one of democracy’s most valuable assets. Once it is lost, rebuilding it becomes extraordinarily difficult.

For generations, Americans have accepted a simple principle in nearly every aspect of public life: trust is important, but verification protects everyone. Elections should not be the lone exception. Safeguarding access to the ballot and safeguarding confidence in the ballot are not competing values. They are complementary responsibilities.

Protecting the right to vote also means protecting the credibility of the vote itself. When citizens believe the process is fair, they are far more likely to accept the outcome—even when their preferred candidates lose. That confidence is not a victory for Republicans or Democrats. It is a victory for American democracy.

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U.S. prepares new tariffs targeting several Latin American countries

by the El Reportero’s wire services

The administration of President Donald Trump is moving forward with a new package of tariffs that could affect dozens of countries, including several across Latin America.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the new measures could be announced in the near future, although he declined to provide a specific timeline. The proposal would apply to about 60 countries that Washington says engage in unfair trade practices by allowing exports of goods allegedly produced with forced labor.

Among the Latin American nations included are Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela, which could face tariffs of up to 12.5 percent. Mexico and Ecuador would be subject to a 10 percent tariff because, according to the U.S. assessment, they have adopted measures against forced labor but have not enforced them effectively.

The White House plans to implement the tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, a legal mechanism intended to replace part of the global tariffs struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year. If approved, the measures could affect exports from several Latin American industries and create new trade tensions between Washington and a number of its trading partners.

In other news

Bolivia investigates mob lynching of suspect accused of killing pastor

Bolivia’s Attorney General’s Office has launched an investigation to identify and prosecute those involved in the lynching of a man accused of fatally shooting a pastor inside a church in Cochabamba.

According to investigators, the suspect was located and arrested by police shortly after the crime. However, before he could be brought before judicial authorities, a crowd forcibly removed him from police custody, beat him, doused him with fuel and set him on fire. He later died from the severe burns.

Cochabamba Departmental Prosecutor Osvaldo Tejerina said a special investigative team has been formed to identify those responsible for the attack. He also emphasized that taking justice into one’s own hands is a criminal offense. Authorities said the suspect was already in official custody when the lynching occurred and are now seeking to establish the criminal responsibility of everyone who participated in the incident.

 

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Spain’s historic double crowns a World Cup that changed U.S. soccee

Spain’s women’s and men’s national teams celebrate their FIFA World Cup triumphs, completing an unprecedented double world championship achievement. Las selecciones femenil y varonil de España celebran sus títulos de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA, logrando un histórico doble campeonato mundial.

by the El Reportero staff

News analysis

With its victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, Spain completed one of the rarest achievements in international soccer. The country now simultaneously holds both the FIFA Men’s World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup titles, after Spain’s women captured the 2023 championship.

The accomplishment provides a fitting conclusion to a tournament that may be remembered as much for its impact on the United States as for the champion it produced.

For more than a month, soccer dominated television ratings, social media, restaurants, airports and public gathering places across the country. Millions of visitors traveled to North America to watch matches, creating a surge in tourism and consumer spending. Economic studies projected that the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Club World Cup together would contribute more than $17 billion to the U.S. economy while supporting approximately 185,000 full-time-equivalent jobs in hospitality, transportation, retail, security, construction and event operations.

Those figures, however, tell only part of the story.

The tournament introduced millions of Americans to the atmosphere that has made soccer the world’s most popular sport. Packed stadiums, fan festivals and neighborhood watch parties became common throughout the competition, while immigrant communities shared their traditions with new generations of fans born in the United States.

For Latino communities, the World Cup represented more than competition. It became a celebration of culture, identity and family, bringing together supporters from dozens of nations while strengthening soccer’s presence in everyday American life.

The real test begins now.

Can Major League Soccer, youth clubs and local communities maintain the momentum created by the tournament? History suggests that major international events often inspire a new generation of players and supporters, but only if local organizations continue investing in opportunities after the spotlight fades.

The World Cup ended as suddenly as it arrived. Yet its legacy may endure for years—not only through Spain’s historic double, but through stronger local economies, expanded business opportunities and a growing acceptance that soccer has become an enduring part of the American sports landscape.

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Oakland tenants renew calls for safer housing conditions

Oakland Station faces residents' complaints over ongoing maintenance, safety and habitability problems. Oakland Station enfrenta denuncias de residentes por problemas persistentes de mantenimiento, seguridad y habitabilidad.

by the El Reportero staff

Housing advocates and tenants gathered Thursday outside the Alameda County Courthouse to call for stronger enforcement of housing standards after months of complaints about conditions at Oakland Station, an affordable housing complex in East Oakland.

The demonstration coincided with a civil lawsuit filed by nearly 70 current and former residents, most of them seniors or people with disabilities. The complaint alleges years of unsafe living conditions, neglect, harassment, elder abuse and violations of California housing laws.

Isabelle Ruiz displays cockroaches found inside her Oakland Station apartment. Isabelle Ruiz muestra cucarchas halladas en su apartamento de Oakland Station.

Residents have reported mold, cockroach infestations, plumbing failures, broken elevators, delayed maintenance, sanitation problems and security concerns. Tenants say they repeatedly submitted maintenance requests and complaints to management and public agencies but believe many of the problems remain unresolved.

The concerns gained wider public attention after an NBC Bay Area investigation documented similar complaints from residents and examined questions about inspections and corrective action. Oakland Station is managed by CONAM, while the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee oversees the tax-credit financing that helped fund the development.

During Thursday’s rally, organizers called for stronger code enforcement, greater oversight of affordable housing developments and increased accountability from both property managers and public agencies. They said residents should not have to wait months for repairs involving health and safety issues.

The lawsuit alleges repeated elevator outages, widespread pest infestations, heating and plumbing failures, inadequate security and other maintenance deficiencies that plaintiffs say made parts of the complex unsafe and, at times, uninhabitable. It seeks damages and court orders requiring the owners to correct the alleged conditions.

Neither Oakland Pacific Associates, the property’s ownership group, nor CONAM had publicly responded to the lawsuit by press time. In previous communications to residents, management said it remains committed to operating the property in compliance with applicable laws and has taken steps to improve maintenance, security and common areas.

The dispute has drawn increasing attention as Oakland continues to address affordable housing challenges. Housing advocates say preserving existing affordable housing is as important as building new units, while ensuring that residents live in safe, healthy and properly maintained homes.

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Five superfoods that outperform beets in long-term blood pressure control

by Ava Grace

Beetroot juice has earned a reputation as a natural way to lower blood pressure, but researchers say its benefits may be short-lived. While a serving of beet juice can reduce systolic blood pressure by as much as 8 mmHg within hours, the effect typically fades within 24 hours, making regular consumption necessary to maintain results.

Health experts increasingly recommend a broader dietary approach that targets the underlying causes of hypertension rather than relying on temporary boosts in nitric oxide. Five foods in particular—fatty fish, leafy greens, berries, legumes and kiwifruit—have demonstrated more lasting cardiovascular benefits when eaten consistently.

Beets owe their blood pressure-lowering ability to dietary nitrates, which the body converts into nitric oxide, helping blood vessels relax and improve circulation. Studies have shown these effects can temporarily improve endothelial function, but they do not address chronic inflammation, oxidative stress or arterial stiffness, all major contributors to long-term hypertension.

Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines provide omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation, improve blood vessel function and lower triglycerides. Research has found that consuming about 3 grams of omega-3s daily can reduce systolic blood pressure by 2 to 4 mmHg over several weeks, with benefits continuing even between fish meals. Regular fish consumption is also associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Leafy greens—including spinach, kale, Swiss chard and especially arugula—offer a powerful combination of nitrates, potassium and magnesium. Arugula contains substantially more nitrates than beets, while potassium helps the body eliminate excess sodium and relax blood vessels. Studies have linked higher intake of nitrate-rich vegetables with a significantly lower risk of developing hypertension. Light steaming or adding greens to soups can improve nutrient absorption.

Berries such as blueberries and strawberries contribute another layer of protection through antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and support healthy blood vessels. These compounds help preserve arterial flexibility and may work in ways similar to ACE inhibitors, medications commonly prescribed to lower blood pressure. Clinical studies have shown that eating berries daily improves endothelial function over several weeks, providing benefits that extend beyond the immediate effects seen with beet juice.

Legumes—including lentils, chickpeas and beans—supply fiber, folate and the amino acid arginine, which supports nitric oxide production. They also contain plant peptides that may naturally inhibit ACE activity. Research has associated daily legume consumption with a substantially lower risk of hypertension, while replacing red meat with legumes several times a week has been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure after a few months.

Kiwifruit rounds out the list with a combination of vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants that improve vascular health. One study found that eating two kiwis daily for seven weeks produced modest but meaningful reductions in systolic blood pressure. Unlike the rapid but temporary effects of beet juice, these improvements accumulate with continued consumption.

Nutrition experts increasingly recommend dietary patterns such as the DASH and Mediterranean diets because they combine many of these foods. These eating plans consistently lower blood pressure by about 5 mmHg on average, with even greater reductions among people with hypertension.

Rather than depending on a single “superfood,” researchers say long-term cardiovascular health is best supported by a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, leafy vegetables, berries, legumes and fruits. While beetroot juice can provide a temporary boost, these foods work together to reduce inflammation, improve vascular function and address the root causes of high blood pressure, offering more durable protection for heart health. Food.news.

– Editor’s note: This article was condensed to fit available space.

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Irma Leonor Hodgson Gómez August 15, 1929 – June 30, 2026 – mother of Luis Malespín

Irma Leonor Hodgson Gómez (1929–2026), recordada por su amor, fortaleza y entrega incondicional a su familia. Irma Leonor Hodgson Gómez (1929–2026), remembered for her love, strength, and lifelong devotion to her family.

Some lives are measured not by wealth or fame, but by the love they give, the families they nurture, and the quiet strength with which they face life’s joys and hardships. Such was the life of Irma Leonor Hodgson Gómez, lovingly known as Irma Malespín Hodgson, who peacefully entered into eternal rest on June 30, 2026, in Los Angeles, California, at the remarkable age of 96.

Born on August 15, 1929, in the beautiful Caribbean city of Bluefields, Nicaragua, then part of the Department of Zelaya, Irma belonged to a generation that valued faith, family, sacrifice, and perseverance above all else. Those principles guided her throughout a lifetime that spanned nearly a century of extraordinary change.

In approximately March 1951, she married the love of her life, Salvador Malespín Ibarra, nephew of Salomón Ibarra Mayorga, the celebrated author of the lyrics of Nicaragua’s National Anthem during the Somoza era. Together they established their home in Bluefields before moving to Managua in the mid-1950s, where they began raising the family that would become the greatest blessing of her life.

After the devastating Managua earthquake of December 23, 1972, Irma made the difficult but hopeful decision to begin a new chapter. In February 1973, she settled permanently in Los Angeles, California, where she continued doing what she loved most—caring for her family with unwavering devotion and quiet grace.

To those who knew her, Irma was the very definition of a loving mother. She did not seek recognition or applause. Her life’s work was found within the walls of her home, where she devoted herself wholeheartedly to her husband, her children, and later to generations of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She believed that love was best expressed through service, patience, honest counsel, and unwavering faith.

She possessed a rare combination of tenderness and strength. She was a woman of deep convictions, remarkable character, and extraordinary resilience. Her wisdom guided her children through life’s challenges, while her loving discipline and compassionate heart helped shape the values they carry to this day.

Irma delighted in the simple pleasures that make a house feel like home. The aroma of freshly brewed morning coffee often welcomed a new day, while music filled the air with memories and joy. She especially treasured the timeless melodies of Trío Los Panchos, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Nat King Cole, Eydie Gormé, Doris Day, and Daniel Santos, whose voices accompanied countless moments throughout her life.

She was also known for preparing one of Nicaragua’s most beloved traditional dishes—nacatamales—which became a symbol of family gatherings, celebrations, and the generous hospitality she extended to everyone around her. Around her table, no one was ever a stranger for long.

Her greatest legacy is found in the family she lovingly built. She is survived by five children, nine grandchildren—Edwin, Jessica, Erico, Fabi, Vanessa, Verónica, Bianca, Alexis, and Kenny—ten great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, countless extended family members, and many dear friends whose lives were forever touched by her kindness, generosity, wisdom, and steadfast love.

During the final fifteen years of her earthly journey, her eldest son was blessed with the privilege of becoming her devoted caregiver. His faithful service reflected the same unconditional love that she had first given to him as a mother—a beautiful circle of love completed with dignity, gratitude, and compassion.

Her ashes will be placed in a Christian church in Los Angeles. Family and friends will gather to celebrate her remarkable life on August 15, 2026, what would have been her 97th birthday, at a memorial service to be held at the church where her ashes will rest. Details will be announced by the family.

Although her voice has fallen silent, her influence will never fade. She leaves behind far more than memories. She leaves a heritage of faith, integrity, perseverance, humility, unconditional love, and devotion to family. Her children, grandchildren, and all who were blessed to know her will continue to see her reflection in every lesson she taught, every sacrifice she made, every embrace she offered, and every prayer she whispered on their behalf.

Her eldest son, Luis, offers these words from the depths of his heart:

“God bless you always, my beloved Mother. I will carry you with me for all eternity. Every day I thank God for allowing me the privilege of caring for you and walking beside you during the final years of your beautiful life. Your loving advice, your unwavering faith, your strength, and your endless devotion have left an indelible mark upon my heart that time can never erase. You were my greatest teacher, my greatest blessing, and my constant example of goodness. I love you beyond words, and I will forever carry your spirit in the deepest part of my soul. Until we meet again in the presence of our Lord… rest in eternal peace, my beautiful Mother. Amen.”

A life devoted to God.
A heart devoted to family.
A legacy that will endure for generations.

Rest in eternal peace, Irma Leonor Hodgson Gómez. You were deeply loved, and you will be forever remembered.

The staff of El Reportero, and especially its editor and publisher, Marvin Ramírez, extend their heartfelt condolences to renowned musician, composer, and longtime friend Luis Malespín on the passing of his beloved mother, Irma Leonor Hodgson Gómez.

We join Luis, his family, and all who knew and loved Mrs. Hodgson in mourning her loss while celebrating a life devoted to faith, family, love, and selfless dedication. Her kindness, strength, and unwavering devotion leave behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations.

May God grant comfort, peace, and strength to the Malespín family during this time of sorrow, and may the cherished memories of a remarkable mother forever remain in their hearts.

May she rest in eternal peace.

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When law enforcement ends in tragedy

Robert Arnold comparte un comentario en video que reflexiona sobre el costo humano de las operaciones de control migratorio. Captura de pantalla del video de Robert Arnold en Facebook. -- Robert Arnold shares a video commentary reflecting on the human cost of immigration control operations. Screenshot from Robert Arnold's Facebook video.

photo: Robert Arnold shares a video commentary reflecting on the human cost of immigration control operations. Screenshot from Robert Arnold’s Facebook video.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:

Bottom of Form

The debate over immigration in the United States often centers on laws, border security and statistics. Yet behind every immigration enforcement operation are individuals, families and communities whose lives can be changed forever. A video published on Facebook by content creator Robert Arnold offers a reflection on that human cost, recalling the cases of two workers who died during recent operations involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Beyond the political debate over immigration, the message raises an important question: Can the law be enforced with greater planning, training and restraint to prevent innocent families from paying the ultimate price? This version has been adapted and condensed for El Reportero from Arnold’s original commentary.

––––––––––––––––––––––

A reflection on the human cost of immigration enforcement operations and the need to protect life during the enforcement of the law

His name was Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. He was fifty-two years old.

He was a husband. He was a father of three sons.

He’d spent more than three decades in Houston building homes, raising a family, and chasing the same version of the American dream that generations before him had crossed oceans to find.

Friends remember a man who loved ranchera music, who worked with his hands, who built not only houses, but a life.

And on July seventh, he left for work and never came home.

Federal agents were looking for someone else, someone driving a similar van, someone they believed resembled the man they were trying to find.

Instead, Lorenzo’s family buried him. Six days later, another family received a phone call that every family fears.

His name was Joan Sebastian Duran Guerrero.

He was twenty-six years old. He was a husband.

He was a father of a three-year-old little girl.

He had legal authorization to work in the United States, and like millions of other fathers, he got up that morning intending just to go to work.

Instead, during an ICE operation in Biddeford, Maine, he was shot and killed.

His wife now has to explain to a little girl why her father isn’t coming home.

And you and I and everyone else listening to this are just men and women of a certain age.

We’re fathers and mothers, daughters or sons, husbands or wives, and we leave for work in the morning, and we expect to come home.

And that’s the quiet promise that we all live by.

The difference here is not that Lorenzo or Joan were somehow different from us.

The difference is that this tragedy has not yet landed on our doorsteps.

Our loved ones have not received that phone call, not yet, because when that call comes, it’s already too late, and it’s too late for the families of these men.

And if we continue to accept and support tactics that make outcomes like this possible, we should not pretend it will always happen to someone else.

Eventually, it will knock on your door or the door of someone you love.

Before we argue about immigration, before we debate border policy, before we sort ourselves into Republicans and Democrats, can we just stop for one moment and simply say their names?

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Joan Sebastian Duran Guerrero.

Somewhere along the way, we have developed a terrible habit in this country where we talk about operations, about targets, about suspects.

We talk about collateral consequences, but we rarely talk about empty chairs at dinner tables, about a wife lying awake next to half a bed that’s cold and empty, reaching in the dark for a hand that she will never find.

About three sons who are standing beside their father’s casket, about a three-year-old little girl who will grow up with stories instead of memories, about another family now asking how a chase became a funeral.

And that is where this conversation has to start, not with immigration, with humanity.

And there are questions that I cannot shake, like why should any innocent person ever have to fear for their life at the hands of the state?

Not fear arrest after committing a crime, not fear prosecution after violating the law, but just fear because armed federal agents have decided that today is the day that they wanna talk to you.

And a free society should never ask ordinary people to accept that as the cost of living under the rule of law.

The defenders of these shootings will immediately ask whether the officers feared for their lives.

And that may be an important question, but it shouldn’t be the first question, and it damn sure shouldn’t be the only question.

The government has something no citizen possesses.

It chooses the time. It chooses the place.

It chooses the tactics. It writes the training manuals.

It established the culture. It decides whether success is measured by arrest or by everyone going home alive.

And if operation after operation after operation ends with grieving families asking why their husband, their father, their son is dead, then eventually we have to stop pretending these are only individual tragedies.

These have become institutional questions.

Why are these officers being taught this way?

Why are they so confident in making these decisions to end a life?

Why are these encounters escalating so quickly?

Why are high-risk vehicle stops and pursuits becoming a common feature of immigration enforcement?

How much emphasis is placed on slowing situations down rather than dominating them?

How much training is devoted to preserving life when fear predictably enters the equation?

Because fear is the most predictable part of this equation.

Anyone who believes they might be detained, deported, separated from their family, or simply does not understand what is happening will panic.

The government knows this. The government should plan for this.

The burden of anticipating imperfect human behavior belongs to the state because the state possesses overwhelming power.

That is the moral contract of democracy. The badge is not supposed to lower the threshold for taking a human life.

It’s supposed to raise it. Because again, the badge is a burden and not a shield.

That is what makes these deaths so unsettling.

Not simply because men have died, but because they force us to ask whether our institutions are becoming too comfortable with the idea that if an encounter becomes chaotic, a bullet is the acceptable conclusion.

Every democracy eventually has to answer this one question: What is the value of human life when weighed against the convenience of an enforcement tactic?

I know my answer. It’s worth slowing down.

It’s worth better training. It’s worth better planning.

It’s worth more restraint because if the government cannot be expected to exercise extraordinary care before taking a life, then who among us is truly safe?

Today it was Lorenzo. Today it was Joan. Tomorrow, the government assures us it will be someone else, but that’s precisely the problem.

In a free country, no innocent family should ever have to wonder whether their loved one will become the next name that we say aloud before we move on to the next news cycle.

Defiance till death.

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Class Action Settlement Notice

Authorized by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
— Class Action Settlement Notice —

TO: All merchants in the U.S. who accepted Visa or Mastercard credit or debit cards at any time on or after December 18, 2020.

This notice (“Notice”) has been authorized by the Court to inform you of an agreement to resolve the equitable relief claims in a class action lawsuit, In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, No. 05-md-01720 (BMC)(JAM)(E.D.N.Y.). The lawsuit alleges that Visa and Mastercard, independently and in conjunction with certain banks, violated antitrust laws and caused merchants to pay excessive fees for accepting Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards, among others, by adopting interchange fees and other network rules, which the litigation has claimed constituted illegal price fixing, unreasonable restraint of trade, and monopoly.

The Defendants say they did nothing wrong. They maintain that their business practices are lawful, justifiable, and the result of independent competition, and that they have benefited merchants and consumers.

The Court has not decided who is right because the parties agreed to establish a settlement, which was preliminarily approved by the Court on June 9, 2026.

A. What Merchants Will Gain from the Settlement During the lawsuit, the Court previously certified a Equitable Relief Class of Claimants under Rule 23(b)(2) and has now preliminarily approved a settlement of the Class of Claimants’ claims (the “Rule 23(b)(2) Class of Claimants Settlement” or “Settlement”). Under the Settlement, Visa and Mastercard have agreed to make substantive changes to the Visa and Mastercard rules applicable to merchants who accept their cards as a form of payment.

The Claimant Group includes all individuals, companies, and entities that accepted Visa or Mastercard cards in the United States at any time during the period between December 18, 2020, and the date of preliminary settlement approval, or June 9, 2026. The Court has set November 16, 2026, as the date for a fairness and final approval hearing (the “Fairness Hearing”) regarding the Settlement, after the claimant group members have had an opportunity to evaluate the Settlement and exercise their rights, as set forth in the Notice. Further information regarding the Settlement and the Fairness Hearing will be posted at www.InterchangeEquitableReliefSettlement.com.

Pursuant to the Group Settlement of Rule 23(b)(2), Mastercard and Visa will modify certain rules to maintain, establish, or expand the circumstances under which merchants may, among other things, do the following:

• Refuse to accept Visa or Mastercard Commercial Credit Cards or Premium Consumer Credit Cards.

• Charge customers a fee for using any Visa or Mastercard Credit Card, which may vary depending on the type of card used (e.g., a different fee for rewards and non-rewards cards).

• Offer discounts to customers who do not pay with Visa or Mastercard Credit Cards, or based on the financial institution that issued the Visa or Mastercard Credit Card.

• Refuse to accept Visa or Mastercard cards at all points of sale operating under the
same name or business banner, even if that merchant accepts those same cards at points of sale operating under a different name or business banner.

• Participate in pilot programs whereby they accept Visa or Mastercard credit cards at some, but not all, points of sale operating under the same name or business banner for a limited period, or test various acceptance, surcharge, and discount options at some, but not all, points of sale operating under the same name or business banner, including the non-acceptance of Premium Consumer or Commercial Credit Cards, for a limited period.

Accepting some digital wallets at physical locations but rejecting others, enabling some digital wallets for online transactions but not others, and “directing the use of certain cards” within a digital wallet under the same rules that govern the “practice of encouraging the use of certain cards” among traditional cards.

• Benefit from reductions in credit card interchange rates: Visa and Mastercard will reduce the published and negotiated interchange rates for U.S. merchant credit cards.

• Benefit from capped interchange rates: The Settlement Agreement reduces and caps Standard Consumer Credit Card rates to a specified level and otherwise limits credit card interchange rates, so that neither Visa nor Mastercard will increase any of their published interchange rates above the rates in effect as of March 31, 2025, and each will reduce its network-wide average interchange rate to or below the specified level.

•Form Merchant Buying Groups that meet certain criteria to negotiate with Visa and Mastercard.

•Receive access to a Merchant Education Program, established and administered under the Settlement Agreement, to help understand and maximize the benefits of the rule changes, including how to effectively implement “targeting” practices for the use of certain cards in states that restrict surcharges.

B. Monetary Aspects of the Rule 23(b)(2) Group Settlement
There is no monetary payment to the members of the Group of Claimants in this Settlement. This Rule 23(b)(2) Group Settlement applies only to the Equitable Relief Claims stipulated in the complaint. Claims for monetary damages arising from the defendants’ alleged antitrust violations are subject to a separate settlement for the Rule 23(b)(3) Group of Claimants. For information about the Rule 23(b)(3) Group of Claimants Cash Settlement, please visit www.PaymentCardSettlement.com.

The Settlement establishes that Visa and Mastercard will make certain payments into the Escrow Account of the Claimants Group Settlement under Rule 23(b)(2), and this money will be used to pay for:
• The cost of administering the settlement and the notice, as approved by the Court;

• The cost of the Merchant Education Program expenses, as approved by the Court;

• The cost of an independent auditor to ensure that Visa and Mastercard comply with their} credit card interchange fee reduction commitments; and

• Attorneys’ fees and expenses, including payments for services rendered by the designated Plaintiffs’ Group Representatives, as approved by the Court.

The money in this fund will be distributed only if the Court grants final approval of the Settlement, and the money for attorneys’ fees and expenses, and Payments for Services to the Plaintiffs’ Group Representatives, will be distributed only if the Settlement has become final and all appeals have been exhausted, and the Court approves the request for attorneys’ fees and expenses, and the Payments for Services to the Plaintiffs’ Group Representatives.

(The Court will grant final approval of the Settlement) Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses, and Payments for Services to the Plaintiffs’ Group Representatives: In respect of work performed up to and including the Court’s final approval of the Settlement, as well as any
work to be performed in the future, the Plaintiffs’ Group Attorneys will request from the Court attorneys’ fees and reimbursement of necessary and reasonable litigation expenses, as well as any award of payments for services to the appointed Plaintiffs’ Group Representatives that the Court may grant, in an amount not to exceed $206,000,000. The Settlement Agreement requires Visa and Mastercard to pay these fees and expenses separately from any other financial obligations of the Settlement, and such fees and expenses will not reduce any other benefit of the Settlement; the Plaintiffs’ Group members will not be required to pay any amount to cover such fees and expenses.

C. Legal Rights and Options
Merchants included in this claim have the legal right to object to the settlement. The deadline to object is September 14, 2026. To learn how to object, visit www.InterchangeEquitableReliefSettlement.com or call toll-free 877-318-7713.

Note: You cannot be excluded from the Rule 23(b)(2) Group Settlement.

For more information about these rights and options, visit www.InterchangeEquitableReliefSettlement.com or call toll-free 877-318-7713.

D. If the Court Grants Final Approval of the Settlement
If the Court grants final approval of the Settlement, the members of the Claimant Group under Rule 23(b)(2) will be bound by the terms of the Settlement and will waive all claims against all the exonerated parties listed in the Settlement Agreement. The Settlement will discharge and resolve all claims by payment card acceptors against Visa, Mastercard, or other defendants that were or could have been alleged in the complaint, including claims based on interchange fees or other charges, no-surcharge rules, no-discount rules, all-card acceptance rules, and other network rules.

The Settlement will also resolve any claims from merchants accepting payment cards based on the future effect of any Visa or Mastercard rule as in effect on or before December 18, 2020, and until the Final Settlement Date (as defined in the Settlement Agreement), the amended rules provided in this Settlement, or any other rules substantially similar to such rules. The release will not preclude the filing of claims related to certain specified standard business disputes that arise as part of the normal course of business.

For more information about the relief, see the Group Settlement Agreement for the amended Rule 23(b)(2) Claimants at www.InterchangeEquitableReliefSettlement.com.

E. Court Hearing Regarding this Settlement
A court hearing will be held on November 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. ET, to decide whether to approve the proposed Settlement, the claimant’s attorneys’ fees and expenses, and payments for services rendered to the Group Claimants’ representatives. The hearing will be held at:

United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York U.S. District Judge Brian M. Cogan 225 Cadman Plaza East Brooklyn, NY 11201

You are not required to attend the Court hearing or hire an attorney, although you may do so at your own expense. The Court appointed the law firms of Hilliard Shadowen LLP; Grant & Eisenhofer P.A.; Freed Kanner London & Millen LLC; and Nussbaum Law Group, P.C. to represent the Group of Plaintiffs (“Group of Plaintiffs Attorneys”).

F. Do you have questions?

For more information about this case (In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, MDL 1720), you can: Call toll-free: 877-318-7713

Visit: www.InterchangeEquitableReliefSettlement.com Write to the Group of Plaintiffs Administrator: Interchange B2 Class Administrator, P.O. Box 6340, Portland, OR 97228-6340 or email the Claimant Group Administrator at info@InterchangeEquitableReliefSettlement.com

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Community Calendar – July 2026

Familias disfrutan un festival comunitario de verano en el Área de la Bahía. Families enjoy a summer community festival in the Bay Area.

by the El Reportero staff

Summer celebrations continue across the Bay Area with music, family festivals, cultural traditions and outdoor entertainment. This week’s calendar highlights events taking place from July 19 through July 26, giving readers time to plan ahead and enjoy the region’s rich Latino arts and community activities.

Omar Sosa celebra el lanzamiento de su más reciente álbum con una presentación en Berkeley. Omar Sosa celebrates the release of his latest album with a performance in Berkeley.

Omar Sosa Quarteto Americanos performs in Berkeley

Grammy-nominated Cuban pianist Omar Sosa brings his Quarteto Americanos to Berkeley for an evening blending Afro-Cuban jazz, Latin rhythms and contemporary improvisation. Recognized internationally for his innovative sound, Sosa continues to be one of the most influential figures in Latin jazz. Sunday, July 19, 7 p.m., Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley.

Peruvian Independence celebration comes to San Francisco

Celebrate Peru’s Independence with an evening of live salsa, música criolla and Peruvian culture featuring Julio Bravo y Orquesta Salsabor, a special performance by Elizabeth Panchano and music by DJ Rich Era. The event welcomes the entire community for an unforgettable night of dancing and celebration. Saturday, July 25. Doors open at 7 p.m., Verdi Club, San Francisco. Ages 21 and over.

Peruvian community invited to Independence Mass

The Consulate General of Peru in San Francisco invites the community to commemorate Peru’s Independence with a special Mass followed by a community gathering featuring traditional music and folkloric dance. Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m., Mission Dolores Basilica, 3321 16th St., San Francisco. Free admission.

Viva Perú Festival returns to Newark

The third annual Viva Perú Festival celebrates Peruvian culture with authentic cuisine, live music, dance performances and family activities. International salsa star José Alberto “El Canario” headlines this year’s festival, joined by folkloric groups and cultural organizations representing Peru’s diverse traditions. Sunday, July 26, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Swiss Park, 5911 Mowry Ave., Newark.

Summer music continues throughout the Bay Area

Communities across Northern California continue offering free outdoor concerts, neighborhood festivals and cultural gatherings throughout July. Residents are encouraged to support local artists, nonprofit organizations and community events that celebrate the region’s cultural diversity.

For additional events and updated listings, visit ElReporteroSF.com under Calendar. Nonprofit organizations, cultural groups, artists and event promoters are invited to submit upcoming community events for possible publication by emailing elreportero@aol.com. Your submissions help us keep the community informed while expanding our audience and strengthening El Reportero as the Bay Area’s bilingual community newspaper.

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