Special Guest: Jasmin Chavez Cruz

Born in El Salvador and raised in Falls Church, Virginia, Jasmin began organizing in her community in middle school. Her early passion for justice and service has grown into a lifelong mission to bridge the gap between government and the communities it serves.

She currently serves as the Political Director for Coalitions in the Northern Virginia region for the Spanberger for Governor campaign, a high-profile statewide race. In this senior role, Jasmin leads Latino outreach efforts across the Commonwealth, working to ensure that Latino voices, priorities, and leaders are meaningfully included in campaign strategy and mobilization. As the only Latina serving in a political advisory capacity on the campaign, her role is both impactful and historic, providing critical guidance on how to authentically engage and energize one of Virginia’s fastest-growing voting blocs.

Most recently, she served as an Associate Director for the White House Internship Program where she led outreach and recruitment and built a diverse and high-impact pipeline for future public servants. She also spent two years at the U.S. Department of Education, where she supported high-level Latino and faith-based engagement, led the planning of national events with senior administration officials, and crafted messaging and digital outreach.

Jasmin has also served as the Virginia State Director for the League of United Latin American Citizens for three years and played a pivotal role in the 2020 Biden-Harris campaign as Chair for Latino Youth Outreach in Virginia.

Known for her authenticity, heart, and impact, Jasmin continues championing inclusive leadership and expanding opportunities for the next generation. She has received multiple national honors for her leadership and service, including the LULAC National Woman of the Year Award in 2018 and Hispanic Executive’s 30 Under 30 Award in 2023, to name a few. In July 2025, she will receive her highest recognition to date: the Rising Star Award from the Latino Leaders Network.

Opinion - Opinión

Feliz cuenta larga

Happy Mesoamerican Calendar

August 11, 3114 BCE is traditionally considered the start date of the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, used by several pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations, notably the Mayans (southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador).

For this reason, it is often known as the Maya Long Count calendar. Using a modified vigesimal tally, the Long Count calendar identifies a day by counting the number of days passed since a mythical creation date that corresponds to August 11, 3114 BCE in the proleptic Gregorian calendar. The Long Count calendar was widely used on monuments.

The Long Count calendar identifies a date by counting the number of days from a starting date that is generally calculated to be August 11, 3114 BCE in the proleptic Gregorian calendar or September 6 in the Julian calendar (or −3113 in astronomical year numbering). There has been much debate over the precise correlation between the Western calendars and the Long Count calendars. The August 11 date is based on the GMT correlation.

The completion of 13 bʼakʼtuns (August 11, 3114 BCE) marks the Creation of the world of human beings according to the Maya. On this day, Raised-up-Sky-Lord caused three stones to be set by associated gods at Lying-Down-Sky, First-Three-Stone-Place. Because the sky still lay on the primordial sea, it was black. The setting of the three stones centered the cosmos which allowed the sky to be raised, revealing the Sun.

Rather than using a base 10 scheme, the Long Count days were tallied in a modified base-20 scheme. In a pure base 20 scheme, 0.0.0.1.5 is equal to 25 and 0.0.0.2.0 is equal to 40. The Long Count is not pure base-20, however, since the second digit from the right (and only that digit) rolls over to zero when it reaches 18. Thus 0.0.1.0.0 does not represent 400 days, but rather only 360 days and 0.0.0.17.19 represents 359 days.

The name bʼakʼtun was invented by modern scholars. The numbered Long Count was no longer in use by the time the Spanish arrived in the Yucatán Peninsula, although unnumbered kʼatuns and tuns were still in use. Instead the Maya were using an abbreviated Short Count.

Current Events - Eventos Actuales

 ‘Funny Coincidence’

GOVT. WEBSITE ‘GLITCH’ REMOVES TRUMP’S LEAST FAVORITE PART OF CONSTITUTION

By ANDREW PEREZ, ASAWIN SUEBSAENG

August 6, 2025

Donald Trump is still trying to take over the Library of Congress — but the national library already, apparently by accident, modified its online copy of the U.S. Constitution to remove the president’s least favorite part: the provision that guarantees people’s right to challenge their detention and demands the government justify their confinement. 

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has publicly floated the idea of suspending habeas corpus to aid the president’s efforts to arrest and deport immigrants: “The writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion, so that is an option we’re actively looking at,” Miller said in May. 

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who’s helping lead Trump’s mass deportation campaign, that month tried to claim that habeas corpus is “a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country” — which is effectively the opposite of what habeas corpus means.

Earlier in the month, Trump was asked about due process, and whether as president he has an obligation to uphold the Constitution. “I don’t know,” he replied. 

Within the past few weeks, Section 9 from Article 1 of the Constitution — which states, “The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it” — disappeared from the Library of Congress’ Constitution Annotated webpage.

By this morning, officials in Trump’s government were quietly telling staff that the deletions were the result of a technical “glitch,” sources familiar with the matter say. As a result, personnel scrambled to fix the issue, figure out how exactly it happened, and also review other parts of the website to see if there were any other conspicuous deletions. 

Some federal staffers raised their eyebrows at the blame-a-glitch explanation, given the apparently coincidental nature of the deletions affecting sections of the Constitution that the second Trump administration is openly working so hard to shred. “Funny coincidence,” one federal employee who was dealing with this situation tells Rolling Stone dryly.

The Library of Congress posted on X this morning that the deletion was the result of a “coding error.”

“It has been brought to our attention that some sections of Article 1 are missing from the Constitution Annotated website,” the library wrote. “We’ve learned that this is due to a coding error. We have been working to correct this and expect it to be resolved soon.” 

The website added a banner stating: “The Constitution Annotated website is currently experiencing data issues. We are working to resolve this issue and regret the inconvenience.”

Read the entire story HERE.

The operation happened around 7 a.m. in the area surrounding a Home Depot on Wilshire Boulevard near MacArthur Park.



Video shows several agents bursting from the rear of a Penske moving truck, then running toward a group of people near a sidewalk food stand. The crowd scattered when they saw the federal agents. A DHS spokesperson confirmed 16 undocumented migrants from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua were detained.

Penske Truck Rental issued a statement saying the company "strictly prohibits the transportation of people in the cargo area of its vehicles under any circumstances."

"The company was not made aware that its trucks would be used in today's operation and did not authorize this," according to the company. "Penske will reach out to DHS and reinforce its policy to avoid improper use of its vehicles in the future."

Meet the Candidate & Vote

Virginia Congressional District 11

James Walkinshaw

James Walkinshaw

Click above to get involved.

Click othe Fairfax Votes site for current information and locations

Events - Eventos

Chris Falcon

Dog days of

Summer BBQ

August 16, 2025

Are you ready to enjoy some BBQ and great company?

Next Saturday Aug. 16th is the Dog Days of Summer BBQ at Mason District Park! Reserve your spot TODAY by clicking on the picture!

We are excited to announce we will we be joined by Braddock District Supervisor and our Democratic nominee for Virginia's 11th Congressional District (CD-11) James Walkinshaw, as well as State Senator, Dave Marsden!

If you live in CD-11 (most of Fairfax County and City of Fairfax) you can vote early in the Special Election until Sept. 6th, or on Sept. 9th at your regular polling location. Visit Fairfaxvotes.org for more details. I am proud to support James Walkinshaw!

League of Women Voters

11th CD Candidate Forum

August 18, 2025 @ 8 pm

Fairfax Public Access Channel 10

youtube.com/insidescooptvshow

Watch the forum live on Fairfax Public Access, Channel 10 TV and/or live streamed HERE. During the live broadcast, viewers may call in questions using the number on the screen. 

Congressional District 11 Candidates: James Walkinshaw, Democrat, and Stewart Whitson, Republican

¿Qué Pasa?

Festival of Herndon

September 14, 2025 @ 12 - 6 pm

Lynn Street & Surrounding Areas

777 Lynn St., Herndon, VA 20170

Kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating at the annual ¿Qué Pasa? Festival of Herndon! This festival features a diverse array of activities, including live music and performances, authentic Latin/Hispanic cuisine, artisanal crafts, interactive workshops, and much more. Attendees can expect to be immersed in the vibrant Latin/Hispanic culture, experiencing the sights, rhythmic sounds, and incredible flavors that make it so unique.

Latino Leaders Network

8th Cafecito Series

Rescheduled:

September 15, 2025

By invitation only, non-transferable 

info@latinoleadersnetwork.org​ for more information.

The Latino Leaders Network is proud to announce the 8th Cafecito Series on July 30th, 2025, at the National Education Association in Washington, DC, featuring Jasmin Chavez Cruz as the recipient of our Rising Star Award! 🌟 This prestigious award celebrates a rising Latino/a changemaker demonstrating remarkable leadership, potential, and commitment to community impact.

Read her biography HERE.

Click the picture to learn more.

Festival Latinoamericano

September 27, 2025 @ 5 - 9 pm

Arlington Mill Community Center

909 S Dinwiddie St, Arlington, VA 22204

Enjoy the rich tapestry of Latin American art, food, and culture found right here in Arlington, celebrating the vibrant and diverse cultures that enrich our community. Our mission is to showcase the rich tapestry of Latin American art, food, and culture in Arlington County, providing a platform for local artists, chefs, and performers to share their talents and traditions with the public.

Festival Latinoamericano is FREE. Registration is not required, but heavily encouraged to allow us to have an accurate count of anticipated attendance.

Manassas Latino Festival

September 27, 2025 @ 11 am - 6 pm

The Loy E. Harris Pavilion

9201 Center Street

Manassas, VA 20110

The Manassas Latino Festival is an annual event which includes live music, dance performances, diverse foods and other fun activities for the entire family, all in celebration of the cultural heritage and contributions of the Latin American community to our City, surrounding areas and to our nation. 

The Manassas Latino Festival is a project of Sambos USA, Inc.

Fiesta DC

September 27 & 28 @ 11 am - 7 pm

Pennsylvania Ave NW

between 7th NW and 3rd St NW

Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Fiesta DC! This two-day extravaganza transforms Washington, D.C. into a global fiesta celebrating Latino cultures. Savor authentic and diverse Latin American cuisine, lose yourself in the infectious rhythms of live music and dance performances, and explore a marketplace brimming with handcrafted artisan creations. Fiesta DC is a celebration for all ages, offering engaging activities and fostering a spirit of community and cultural exchange.

Meet the Candidates and Get Involved

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Statewide Candidates

We have excellent candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Click on any picture to learn more about the candidate and how you can help.

Abigail Spanberger

for Governor

Ghazala Hashmi

for Lieutenant Governor

Jay Jones

for Attorney General

Latino Candidates for House of Delegates

Alfonso Lopez

District 3 (Arlington & Alexandria)

Elizabeth Guzmán

District 22 (Prince William County)

Fernando “Marty” Martinez

District 29 (Leesburg)

Phil Hernandez

District 94 (Norfolk)

The Latino Victory Fund endorsed these candidates with the following:

Alfonso Lopez, the first Latino Democrat elected to the General Assembly, has led efforts to pass the Virginia DREAM Act and expand driver’s license access for immigrants.

Elizabeth Guzmán was the first Latina elected to the Virginia General Assembly in its 200-year history and is now running to continue bringing inclusive, values-driven leadership to one of Virginia’s most competitive districts, while capturing for the Democrats the last Republican-held seat in Prince William County.

Phil Hernandez, a civil rights attorney and former Obama administration official, brings a strong policy background to the legislature and is fighting for public education and working families.

Fernando Martínez, elected in 2023, is a rising voice for housing affordability, immigrant protections, and inclusive economic growth in Northern Virginia.

Virginia’s Latino population continues to grow rapidly, especially in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. This growth is reshaping the political landscape—and elevating Latino leadership is essential to advancing policy priorities that reflect the lived experiences of immigrant and working-class communities.

https://www.youtube.com/@FCDCLatinoCaucus

Latino Caucus

Fairfax County

Democratic Committee

Click HERE to join FCDC

www.FairfaxDemocrats.org

 ‌or HERE to join our mailing list



Maritza Zermeño — Chair

Marta Calderon — Secretary

Leonel Rojas — Social Media Master



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