Andres Valdez is an American social activist from Albuquerque, New Mexico.[1]

Early life and education

Valdez was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in San Luis, Colorado. Though once employed as a carpenter, he now works as a professional activist.[2]

Activism

In November 1997 Valdez was appointed by the city of Albuquerque to the "Task Force on Police Oversight," a city council convened advisory group formed to make recommendations on a new system of oversight for Albuquerque's police department.[3] He requested appointment to a 2013 task force convened by the council to make a new series of recommendations on the police oversight system, though the council declined to make him a member.[4]

Since 2002, Valdez has filed a variety of complaints and lawsuits against the city of Albuquerque and city officials, including former mayor Martin Chávez[5] and current mayor Richard J. Berry,[6][7][8] and has been involved in a number of demonstrations that have interrupted city meetings and events.[9]

In 1997, and again in 2014, he attempted to serve "arrest warrants" he had self-signed against police officers.[2] In 2006 Valdez and Gwen Packard led a protest prior to the city's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade saying they wanted to end the "glamorization of Native American oppression by Albuquerque's Tri-Centennial initiative."[10] In 2010 Valdez received $10,000 in an out-of-court settlement by the city over a lawsuit he had brought after being ruled out-of-order during the public comment period at a police oversight commission meeting.[11] During a May 2014 demonstration by Valdez and several dozen protesters at the chambers of the Albuquerque city council, Valdez announced a "coup d'etat" against the city's government. The city council president ultimately adjourned the meeting and it was reconvened several days later.[12]

Political campaigns

In 1997 Valdez sought election to the Albuquerque city council, ultimately losing to Tim Kline with 13-percent of the vote.[13]

In 2012 Valdez announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate. In an early debate he declared Martin Heinrich a "pup" who lacked life experience, though, subsequently withdrew from the race citing "the outrageous amount of money needed to run.”[14][15]

References

  1. ↑ Lintchium, Leslie (12 July 2009). "Tijerina Heirs Ask Obama To Restore Land Grants". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  2. 1 2 Lintchium, Leslie (6 April 2014). "Activist gains support in questioning police conduct". Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, New Mexico. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  3. ↑ "Police Oversight Task Force Report". cabq.gov. City of Albuquerque.
  4. ↑ McKay, Dan (8 August 2013). "11 appointed to police oversight task force". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  5. ↑ Ludwick, Jim (14 July 2004). "Ethics Board Makes Quick Work of ABQPAC Case". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  6. ↑ Ludwick, Jim (19 October 2002). "Chávez To Repay 'Every Dime'". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  7. ↑ "News Briefs". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. 25 June 2004.
  8. ↑ McKay, Dan (26 April 2013). "2 mayoral candidates facing ethics complaints". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  9. ↑ "FOG Recognizes Award Winners". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. 4 October 2012.
  10. ↑ "Culturally and Racially Mixed Crowd Marches To Honor Civil Rights Leader Winners". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. 16 January 2006. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  11. ↑ "Police Oversight Commission Settles Lawsuit". krqe.com. KRQE-TV. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  12. ↑ Contreras, Russell (8 May 2014). "Police shootings: Albuquerque council meets". chron.com. Houston, Texas: Houston Chronicle.
  13. ↑ "Albuquerque City Council 5". ourcampaigns.com. 9 May 2014.
  14. ↑ "Former Mayor a Tease and Other Revelations From Saturday's Election". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  15. ↑ "Andres Valdez Out of U.S. Senate Race". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
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