Louisiana Gun Laws Give Young Adults Right To Carry
By Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer
On February 28th, 2024 a bill was passed that allows Louisiana residents, 18 and older, to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. It is the first bill of its kind that applies to people this young. This bill will allow people to carry guns under their clothing without a government-issued permit, having to be fingerprinted, or completing a firearm training class. Law enforcement and government officials say that this bill is needed for citizens to be able to protect themselves at all times against criminals.
By Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer
On February 28th, 2024 a bill was passed that allows Louisiana residents, 18 and older, to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. It is the first bill of its kind that applies to people this young. This bill will allow people to carry guns under their clothing without a government-issued permit, having to be fingerprinted, or completing a firearm training class. Law enforcement and government officials say that this bill is needed for citizens to be able to protect themselves at all times against criminals.
Louisiana State Rep. Mike Johnson said, “People are getting raped, murdered, carjacked, and assaulted. A vote for this bill today gives the citizens of Louisiana the right to defend themselves.”
Although some may feel that this bill is providing safety, some would say that this bill is just making guns more accessible and will cause crime to increase.
Residents of Louisiana understand the intentions of this bill but say that there should still be certain requirements to getting a gun. One of these requirements is an older age.
Louisiana already has one of the highest rates of gun violence, so why should we allow for guns to be even more accessible? Personally, I see both sides of this argument. I understand wanting to protect yourself but I also see how this bill may pose more danger than good. For this bill to be safe and effective, I think that we should make the age requirement higher and that we should still have some sort of education about guns and gun violence. Without education, how are we ever supposed to change our high rates of gun violence?
Bitty and Beau’s Coffee: A Social Movement Disguised as a Coffee Shop
By Madelynn Loring, Staff Manager
Colorado welcomed its first Bitty and Beau’s Coffee this past fall. While there are many coffee shops to choose from, Bitty and Beau’s, now open on Pearl Street in Boulder, stands out for a great reason: radical inclusivity.
By Madelynn Loring, Staff Manager
Colorado welcomed its first Bitty and Beau’s Coffee this past fall. While there are many coffee shops to choose from, Bitty and Beau’s, now open on Pearl Street in Boulder, stands out for a great reason: radical inclusivity.
Bitty and Beau’s is a coffee chain that started in North Carolina in 2016. Its founders, Amy and Ben Wright, created their coffee shop to combat a very real problem in our communities: over 80% of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are unemployed, though the vast majority of them wish to work. Now with over 18 locations across the United States, including the shop in Boulder, Bitty and Beau’s coffee employs adults with I/DD in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Obviously, Bitty and Beau’s is amazing in terms of social justice, but when you are looking for a coffee shop, you are typically more concerned with the coffee, the snacks, and the ambiance. However, I am happy to report that Bitty and Beau’s Coffee exceed expectations on all marks. They offer a wide variety of drinks for coffee lovers, coffee haters, and everyone in between. There are plenty of alternative plant-based and lactose-free milk options as well. They also have a wide variety of tasty snacks to choose from, including cinnamon rolls and a fabulous rainbow bagel.
The best part about Bitty and Beau’s is the community vibes of the shop itself. It is a classy yet cozy spot with plenty of tables and outlets, perfect for study sessions or remote work. The workers, however, are what makes Bitty and Beau’s Coffee the place to be. The customer service is top tier, and you can tell that every drink is made with love.
One thing to note is that the calling system is a little bit different at Bitty and Beau’s coffee. To make the work accessible to everyone, they use a playing card system to call out when things are ready for pickup. When you order, you receive a laminated playing card. Then when your drink is ready, they will call out the playing card associated with your order. While it is unusual, it is a fun and easy way to pick up your drink (that also protects your privacy.)
Overall, I cannot recommend Bitty and Beau’s Coffee enough. So next time you are looking for a sweet treat or coffee drink that you can feel good about, swing by Bitty and Beau’s Coffee at 1468 Pearl St. Ste 120 in Boulder.
Bill to Support Sexual Assault Survivors
By Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer
Colorado State Legislature has introduced a bill that aims to protect sexual assault survivors when it comes to what can be presented as evidence during criminal hearings. This would eliminate the victim having a previous relationship with the accused as being legitimate evidence. A big part of this bill is to end victim blaming from entering the system. Victim blaming happens when the victim of a crime is blamed for the crime happening. This regularly occurs in sexual violence cases.
By Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer
Colorado State Legislature has introduced a bill that aims to protect sexual assault survivors when it comes to what can be presented as evidence during criminal hearings. This would eliminate the victim having a previous relationship with the accused as being legitimate evidence. A big part of this bill is to end victim blaming from entering the system. Victim blaming happens when the victim of a crime is blamed for the crime happening. This regularly occurs in sexual violence cases.
Victim blaming disempowers the victim and makes the victim less eager to come forward and speak up about the crime, especially in sexual assault instances. This also adds to rape culture. Rape culture is an environment in which rape and sexual assault thrive. Rape culture is kept alive through misogynistic discourses, objectification, and the romanticization of violence.
Examples of rape culture look like:
Sexually explicit jokes
Allowing sexual harassment
Victim blaming
Normalizing sexual assault with the use of stereotypes
Accusing the victim of false accusations
Scrutinizing victims stories
Sexual pressure on men to engage sexually and pressure on women to not be a “prude”
Teaching women how to prevent rape
How we can prevent rape culture and victim blaming:
Avoid objectifying language
Speak out if you hear joking about rape
If someone comes forward about their experience, validate them
Let survivors know that it is not their fault
Be aware of victims’ physical boundaries
Hold abusers accountable
Always communicate and do not assume consent
Be an active bystander
Bail Reform in the Works
Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer
The Georgia House of Representatives has passed a Republican-supported bill that approves a longer list of criminal offenses requiring cash bail. This will stop any charitable funds from being allowed as bail and send more people charged with misdemeanors to more dangerous prisons. Charitable groups can now only post up to three cash bonds in a year and if they go above this, they will also be charged with a misdemeanor. This is not the first time that Republicans have lengthened the list of crimes that require cash bail, with the current number recently surpassing 24.
Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer
The Georgia House of Representatives has passed a Republican-supported bill that approves a longer list of criminal offenses requiring cash bail. This will stop any charitable funds from being allowed as bail and send more people charged with misdemeanors to more dangerous prisons. Charitable groups can now only post up to three cash bonds in a year and if they go above this, they will also be charged with a misdemeanor. This is not the first time that Republicans have lengthened the list of crimes that require cash bail, with the current number recently surpassing 24.
Republicans want to make more restrictive bail conditions as well as even harsher and longer sentences for criminals. This desire is mostly fueled by wanting to go against the Democrats’ “soft on crime” notion and make voters feel more “safe” by voting Republican. These new bills will have terrible consequences for those who are low-income, unhoused or have committed low-level crimes. Cash bail as we know it has always been a discriminatory part of our justice system as it keeps poorer minorities stuck in jail because they may not have the funds or the opportunities that others have to pay this cash bail and get out.
Cash bail reform is necessary. Some individuals believe that cash bail reform will lead to our public safety being threatened but this is not the case. Releasing more people does not threaten our safety and the harm that individuals face because of unjust bail systems will no longer be a problem. Holding people for an extended amount of time because they cannot pay their bail leads to these people gaining a criminogenic mindset.
This mindset increases crime and increases rearrest rates. Another point is that cash bail systems usually work on the same basis for everyone and do not take into consideration someone’s circumstances. Reform would allow us to assess every single case and allow for a fair release process. The bill that was passed in Georgia shows how much the criminal justice system needs reform and needs to move forward, not backward.
An Update on Gaza
By Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer
Please continue to take action by pressuring our elected officials to call for a ceasefire, keep supporting Palestine in any way, and keep speaking about the horrors occurring there. The information below is only a snapshot of what is going on. Palestine needs our support!
By Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer
Please continue to take action by pressuring our elected officials to call for a ceasefire, keep supporting Palestine in any way, and keep speaking about the horrors occurring there. The information below is only a snapshot of what is going on. Palestine needs our support!
More than 35,500 CIVILIANS in Gaza have been murdered by Israeli occupation forces starting the 7th of October. More than 14,000 children, 340 medical staff, and 134 journalists have been killed. 92% of those killed in Gaza are civilians. More than 70,000 people have been injured.
The United Nations has documented attacks on at least 187 places of worship, 123 ambulances, 392 educational facilities, 11 bakeries, and 199 Gaza heritage sites. More than 70,000 housing units have been destroyed. There are now only 11 PARTIALLY functioning hospitals in Gaza.
Israel refuses to allow or give sufficient humanitarian aid to Gaza, forcing many Palestinians into starvation. Gaza is in the top 3 hunger categories with an extreme level of hunger.
On February 12th, the United States Senate passed an “aid” package that gave Israel $14 billion in funding.
Venezuelan Migrants in Denver
Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer
Many Venezuelan immigrants have found refuge in Denver, Colorado. Their journey has been dangerous and consists of train hopping, encounters with criminals, starvation, and dehydration. Starting their journey in Texas, many have come to Denver to try and find better resources and transportation to other states.
Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer
Many Venezuelan immigrants have found refuge in Denver, Colorado. Their journey has been dangerous and consists of train hopping, encounters with criminals, starvation, and dehydration. Starting their journey in Texas, many have come to Denver to try and find better resources and transportation to other states.
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, Venezuela has the world’s second-largest refugee crisis. During the first years of the mass leaving of Venezuelans from their home, they traveled to the neighboring countries. They are now seeking asylum in the United States.
Venezuela’s economy was dependent on the revenue made from oil. However, sudden declines in the price of oil have destabilized their economy. Due to their economy plummeting, there has been extreme political turmoil.
Venezuela’s leader, President Maduro, gained power through censorship, manipulation and repression. With his disastrous choices for their economy and corrupt presidency, he has introduced harsh restrictions on the media and increased extrajudicial killings.
Supposedly, there is a presidential election next year but many are skeptical that this election will be clean and fair. While a new president gives Venezuela the opportunity to rebuild, citizens face an uphill battle with Maduro in power. The human rights crisis and economic catastrophe in Venezuela have caused millions to seek a new home elsewhere.
Nonprofits in Denver are working to ensure the travels of Venezuelan migrants are safe. They connect with individual travelers to confirm they are making this journey by choice, using their own volition. They also ensure that migrants connect with their friends and family safely. Due to exploitation and sex trafficking, nonprofit organizations primarily connect with women and families. It is a very dangerous journey for all, but for women and children, it can mean death.
When many arrive here, they are without food, clothes, and other necessities. However, Colorado organizations are providing ways to help. Here are ways you can get involved in this mission to help the Venezuelan migrant community in Denver.
Donations can be monetary or through the following items: Men’s clothing, children's clothing, all sizes of shoes, winter gear, socks, and undergarments for all.
Donations can be made to organizations such as:
Colorado Hosting Asylum Network
The American Friends Service Committee
Richard T. Castro Human Services Center
Facebook groups that help migrants that you can join include:
Central Park and Park Hill Venezuelan Migrant Support Group