Julián Castro Launches Presidential Bid – Former Obama cabinet member Julián Castro announced his bid for the Democratic nomination for the 2020 presidential elections in his native San Antonio before a crowd of supporters at the traditional Plaza Guadalupe. Castro made the announcement in both English and Spanish after being introduced by his mother Rosie, a veteran social activist. In his speech, the former San Antonio mayor said President Trump has failed on immigration and promised that, as president, he would invest in border security without using immigrants as scapegoats. Castro also proposed a Medicare plan for all, universal preschool and a raise in the minimum wage.
New Migrant Caravan Sets Out from Honduras – A new caravan of Honduran refugees left this week from the city of San Pedro Sula. On board buses or marching on foot, hundreds of families undertook the trip to Guatemala and Mexico on the way to the United States, where they aim to request asylum at the border. Oscar Chacón, Executive Director of the organization Alianza Américas, joins us from San Salvador to discuss this issue.
Teacher’s Strike in Los Angeles – More than 30,000 Los Angeles teachers went on strike this week. Teachers in the school district, the second largest in the nation, are demanding a salary increase and more resources for teaching. The teachers’ union is also calling on authorities to stop the growth of independent charter schools and invest more in public education. Ruben Tapia reports from Los Angeles.
Inmates Begin to be Released under The First Step Act, Despite Obstacles – The first prisoner to be released thanks to the recently passed The First Step Act is an African American man who spent more than two decades in prison for a drug-related crime. This new bipartisan legislation helps to reduce sentences and facilitates the rehabilitation and early release of prisoners convicted of non-violent crimes. However, lawyers and experts agree that The First Step Act is very limited in scope, that the rules of implementation will have to be monitored and that a Second Step must be discussed. José López Zamorano has the details from Washington.
