Chicago Students And Protesters Shut Down Trump Rally At The UIC Arena

Hundreds of students and protesters forced a Trump rally in Chicago to get canceled after chaos broke out between Trump bigoted supporters and students. The protest against Trump spilled outside of the area.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 11, 2016

Chicago, Illinois - On Friday, hundreds of students and protesters forced the Secret Service to cancel a Donald J. Trump rally at the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) after chaos broke out inside the UIC area. Students and Trump bigoted supporters faced off and a fist fight broke out, bottles were thrown and police couldn't control the chaotic scene.

The Trump protest spilled outside and students, family members and supporters marched along the streets and attempted to block the Ryan Express Way, according to police. 

Charges Filed Against Dan Popp For Triple Murder Of Hmong Couple And Puerto Rican In Milwaukee

Popp fatally shot one victim because he was from Puerto Rico and couldn't speak English.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 10, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, Dan Popp, 39, was charged with three felony counts for 1st-degree intentional homicide and one felony count for attempted 1st-degree intentional homicide for the March 6 homicides of Jesús Manso-Pérez, 40, Phia Vue, 36, and Mai Vue-Xiong, 32, at a four unit apartment at 3330 S. 92nd Street.

If convicted on all felony murder counts, Popp is facing three consecutive life terms in prison and 60 years in prison on the attempted homicide. A cash bond of $150,000 has been set for Popp.

A rifle and gun were recovered at the scene.
The homicide victims and Popp lived in the same four unit apartment building, according to police. 

The Vue couple are survived by four children and the youngest is 4, according to a family member.

According to police, Popp went to the Vue's apartment and forced his way inside. Once inside, Popp gathered all the family members to a back room, then took Phia to the bathroom and shot him dead. He then took Mia and several young girls upstairs to his apartment and fatally shot the mother. The two girls managed to escape. 

One of the teenagers had escaped outside and went to a neighbor for help. He told the neighbor that the deadly incident might have started over a laundry room dispute.

Manso-Pérez was the first victim that was shot at point blank. According to the criminal complaint, Manso-Pérez and his son had gone downstairs to wash when they were approached by Popp who asked them where they were from. Manso-Pérez responded from Puerto Rico and Popp said, that is why you can't speak English. Afterwards, when Manso-Pérez and his son were at their apartment, Popp came over and knocked at the door, when Manso-Pérez opened the apartment door, Popp pointed a rifle at him and told him "You guys got to go" and fatally shot him in the head. He then attempted to kill Manso-Pérez' son too by firing a shot at him.

When police arrived, Popp came out of the four unit apartment and surrendered after police repeatedly ordered him to drop his weapons.

Medical records show that Popp was being treated and taking medicine for a mental related issue as a U.S. Veteran in 2008, but had weapons in his possession, according to court records.
Police have not confirmed, if Popp's triple homicide was motivated by Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump's anti-immigrant racist and hate rhetoric towards Latinos and minorities.

A GoFundMe Vue/Xiong family memorial for funeral expenses has been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/tmt6st7f

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help pay for Jesús Manso-Pérez funeral expenses at https://www.gofundme.com/5qt2y57u

Pregnant Mother, Tamecca L. Perry Killed By Shanika S. Minor Over Loud Music In Milwaukee

Minor is wanted for the murder of pregnant mother and her 39-40 week fetus.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 9, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office filed charges and issued a warrant for the arrest of Shanika S. Minor, 24,  for the alleged homicide of Tamecca Lashae Perry, 23, originally from Chicago on Sunday, March 6th in the 3200 block of N. 30th Street. Minor has been charged with 1st-degree intentional homicide and 1st-degree intentional homicide of an unborn child. 

If convicted of both felony homicide charges, Minor is facing two consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole. The Milwaukee Police Department indicates that Minor should be considered armed and dangerous.

The criminal complaint says, that Minor invaded the apartment where Perry was staying and fatally shot her in front of Perry's boyfriend, Minor's mother and Perry's children over a loud music dispute. Perry was about 39 to 40 weeks pregnant, according to police.

Minor then fled the crime scene and is being sought by police.

Enrique Figueroa Stepping Down As Director Of The Roberto Hernández Center At UWM

Figueroa says he will remain as a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 9, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, Enrique Figueroa, Ph.D. confirmed that he is stepping down as the Director of the Roberto Hernández Center (RHC), according to an e-mail blast sent to the Hispanic community leadership and former University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) students and alumni. Figueroa was first hired as the director of the RHC in 2002. 

Figueroa in his e-mail wrote, "...I am stepping down as the Director of the Roberto Hernandez Center [RHC], effective 8/21/'16.

"I will communicate with you further and in more detail later on, but for now, I simply want to thank ALL of you for the support you have offered me."

UWM will now start a search for a new director to replace Dr. Figueroa, according to Johannes Britz, the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UWM. Britz had announced previously that Dr. Figueroa was stepping down. Britz wrote in an e-mail to UWM faculty members, " Enrique E. Figueroa, Ph.D. will be stepping down from his position as Director of the Roberto Hernandez Center (RHC), effective as of August 21, 2016. He has ably served as Director since January, 2002. He will continue to serve as a faculty member in the Department of Urban Planning.

I've asked Enrique to briefly reflect on his fourteen years as RHC's Director:

"I want to thank everyone who has afforded me support, friendship, and trust during my tenure as director. During that period the RHC has advanced its mission through the following activities:

● Growth in scholarships: The RHC Latino Scholarship Endowed Fund now has $136,637, which reflects the $128,027 raised through our Annual PALM (Promoting Academics in Latino Milwaukee) Scholarship Fundraisers since I became Director.

● Classroom instruction: I've taught Introduction to Latino Studies (LS 101) every semester since fall 2006—858 students have taken the class over that period.

● Launch of the Latino Nonprofit Leadership Program: The program has produced 188 alumni, including many in currently prominent professional/leadership positions. 

● Events: I've enjoyed planning and attending wonderful events that support and recognize our Latino students, including 13 Hispanic Heritage Month programs, 12 Cinco de Mayo Week programs, and 9 UWM Latino Graduation Banquets.

● I have been honored with a number of recognitions/honors, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, my undergraduate alma mater, and the Green Bay Packers.

"I leave the directorship with fond memories and a sense of accomplishment in in a multitude of areas, be they on or off campus. I look forward to my continued involvement with the RHC through the end of August and thereafter as a faculty member in the Department of Urban Planning."

The actual creation of the Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute (SSOI), which later became the Roberto Hernández Center at link http://bit.ly/1hgQkaB

Actual news video, including the Roberto Hernández Center story at link http://tinyurl.com/3e6odcb

Dan Popp Fatally Shot Phia Vue, Mia Vue And Jesús Manso-Pérez Over Laundry Dispute

Popp apparently killed his victims over a laundry dispute, according to surviving witnesses.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 8, 2016
(Updated)

Milwaukee, WI - On Sunday, three victims including a married couple were killed by a lone shooter what some surviving witnesses are claiming to be a dispute over the use of a four unit apartment laundry machine. According to the family members of the couple killed, the washing machine and dryer belonged to them and allowed for the other tenants to use them.
Police arrested Dan Popp, 39, in connection with last Sunday's triple murder of Jesús Manso-Pérez, 40, Phia Vue, 36, and Mai Vue-Xiong, 32, at a four unit apartment at the 3300 block of S. 92nd Street.

Popp is facing three counts for 1st-degree intentional homicide in the deaths of Phia, Mia and Jesús. The case will be turned over to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office for prosecution, according to police.

If convicted on all felony murder counts, Popp is facing three consecutive life terms in prison. A cash bond of $150,000 has been set for Popp.
A rifle and gun were recovered at the scene.
The homicide victims and Popp lived in the same four unit apartment building, according to police. 

The Vue couple are survived by four children and the youngest is 4, according to a family member.

According to police, Popp went to the Vue's apartment and forced his way inside. Once inside, Popp gathered all the family members to a back room, then took Phia to the bathroom and shot him dead. He then took Mia and several young girls upstairs to his apartment and fatally shot her.
One of the teenagers was able to escape from a back room apartment window and went to a neighbor for help. The neighbor called police.

The Vue-Xiong family members are saying that Manso-Pérez was shot first over a laundry dispute and that both Mia and Phia were just innocent victims. Mia had just received her Bachelor degree from college.
Popp went outside and began to fire shots into the sky with an assault rifle and ran out of bullets, that's when police arrived and Popp surrendered. Popp was taken into custody.

Police have not released any information about what triggered Popp to kill the three victims. The triple homicide investigation is still ongoing, according to police.

A GoFundMe Vue/Xiong family memorial for funeral expenses has been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/tmt6st7f

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help pay for Jesús Manso-Pérez funeral expenses at https://www.gofundme.com/5qt2y57u

Latino Social Justice Community Activist Juan Carlos Ruiz Died From Heart Failure

Ruiz' body was found in a recliner at his residence after failing to answer his cellphone for a day.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 8, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - Community advocate and immigration rights activist, Juan Carlos Ruiz, 53, suffered a "massive heart attack" last Thursday, according to first responders. Ruiz' body was discovered at his residence in a recliner after failing to answer his cellphone from a family member for a day. His son, Roberto Ruiz posted on his Facebook account that Ruiz had died from natural causes, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office.

Several people told Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) that Ruiz had been complaining of chest pains several days before his untimely death and was inquiring information about symptoms related to chest pains.

A GoFundMe account was setup by Roberto to fund funeral expenses and has raised nearly $12K from the $25K goal. A memorial for Ruiz will be held on Thursday at the Astor Hotel Ballroom at the 900 block of E. Juneau from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. no details about funeral arrangements have been released yet, but Ruiz' mother request for him to be laid to rest, according to Roberto.

Ruiz was a well known social justice community and immigration rights activist for the last 20 years. Ruiz worked with national organizations for immigration reform and was the founder of the Latino Carnival Parade and Street Festival annual event in Milwaukee's Southside. 

Ruiz helped organized and was among the 60,000 immigrants and supporters who rallied at the Day Without Latinos and Immigrants on February 18 at the Capitol in Madison against several Republican anti-immigrant bills. He is originally from Huancayo, Peru and studied Psychology at the National University of Federico Villarreal. He also graduated from the Colegio Salesiano "Santa Rosa" in Huancayo, according to his Facebook account.

Ruiz spoke multiple languages, French, Spanish, English, Brazilian, Portuguese, Quechua and Italian.

Ruiz was also a radio host for Nfoque Latino at 1460 AM WJTI and a LULAC member. He also was instrumental along with other community members in the redistricting changes in the Hispanic community to create majority Latino voting districts in Milwaukee. Ruiz also led an awareness campaign for lead paint poisoning at homes where paint was used in vintage residential homes.

Voces de la Frontera, a workers and immigrant rights non-profit organization released the following statement on Ruiz passing, "On behalf of the board, staff, and members of Voces de la Frontera, it is with great sadness we write to inform people that a great leader in the immigrant rights movement has passed away. Juan Carlos Ruiz, 53, of Milwaukee was a man with a deep passion for social justice.  As a Latino immigrant from Peru, he was dedicated to the civil rights struggle for immigrants in our state and nationally, and to challenging all forms of social inequality. Juan Carlos has a proud record of organizing to defend Milwaukee’s low income children from lead poisoning, he has left us a rich history of mobilizing the Latino vote, and most recently he marched in the ranks of a Day Without Latinos and Immigrants to defeat state anti-immigrant bills. It was our honor to know him.  He had a passion for life and sadly, it was a life cut too short. It is a loss for both the community he served tirelessly and for his loving family. Yet, his life serves as an inspiration to all of us, to live a meaningful life that goes beyond our individual selves and is in service to the progress of humanity. Our heart-felt condolences go out to his family..."

Mexican National Leonardo Mendez Falsely Collecting Donations As A Deported U.S. Veteran

Mendez is not a deported U.S. Veteran as he claims to be, according to the Deported Veterans Support House founder in Mexico.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 8, 2016

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico - On Tuesday, Hector Barajas, the Managing Director and Founder of the Deported Veterans Support House (DVSH), a non-profit in Mexico has outed Leonardo Mendez from the city of Sahauyo who's hometown is Villamar, Michoacan de Ocampo, México of falsely claiming to be a deported U.S. Veteran in order for people to send him donations. Barajas says, that Mendez can ask for donations, but to claim that he is a deported U.S. Veteran is not correct. Mendez has been using the DVSH contacts to ask for unauthorized donations, according to Barajas.

A person almost sent him $50 dollars, but after noticing a posting by Barajas on his Facebook account decided not to send him any money. The person  posted that Mendez had also claimed he was staying at the DVSH, which Barajas confirmed he is not. Barajas has even asked Mendez to stop using the DVSH to ask for donations, but since Mendez has failed to stop, Barajas decided to expose Mendez' alleged scam.

Barajas says, that he will be contacting Mexican authorities about Mendez elicit scamming activities.

Barajas posted, "Please be advised this individual,
Leonardo Mendez has been telling people he is a Deported Veteran.
He is not a Veteran at all.
"He has been asking my contacts for funds. We tried asking nicely to stop & we would not make it public, Since he has continued to do so, I've decided to show our common friends. We are a non-profit in Mexico. If he continues to ask for funds as a Deported Veteran we will go to the authorities.
"If you have any questions feel free to contact me at 626-569-5491 U.S.
"Personally if someone has a need and ask for it, how, and who they asks is not a problem, in fact it is none of my business,  but to Lie takes it to another level, especially when you burn my friends.  We all have needs and struggles , this is not the way to go about it!"