Jose Luis Ives

On the evening of July 16, 2003 Jose Luis Ives Jr., a Union City, NJ teen, was severely beaten by an off duty Weehawken, NJ police officer, Alejandro Jaramillo. The beating left the young Ives, 17 years old, in a coma until his death eight days later, July 24th. The beating was the tragic end of an earlier confrontation Jaramillo had with some 11 and 12 year old boys playing in the neighborhood streets. Two of those boys were Jose Luis’ younger brothers.
Upon learning of the problem with the officer, Jose Luis, a beloved honor student and standout basketball player at Union Hill H.S., approached the officer to ask about the problem with his brothers. Shortly thereafter, Jose Luis lay unconscious on the sidewalk in front of his own home fighting for his life.

Immediately after the assault, Jaramillo fled the scene and left Jose Luis’ two younger brothers, Ivan and George, to care for the unconscious teen. Jose Luis Ives Sr. was the first person to call 911 after the attack, after one of his younger sons informed him.
All the while, witnesses say that a woman who was with Officer Jaramillo stood across the street informing him of the developments by cell phone – never once calling for help.

That evening Weehawken police took Jaramillo into custody. And after a brief investigation by the Weehawken Police Department, Jaramillo was placed on restricted duty with pay. Jaramillo’s detainment later became a point of contention because the crime occurred in Union City. Many people felt Weehawken Police was trying to shield the officer from an objective investigation by inappropriately taking custody of him. When asked why Weehawken police took over a case out of their jurisdiction, Hudson County Prosecutor, Edward DeFazio, said that at the time the investigating officers believed it was the right thing to do. DeFazio also said that although this occurrence was unusual, his office has not uncovered any evidence of impropriety by the Weehawken police.

On July 25th, one day after Jose Luis’ death, the Union City community united behind leader and activist Fernando Mateo, who organized a protest in which hundreds of people marched from the Ives’ home to the Weehawken police precinct. There Mr. Mateo held a press conference where he demanded a full investigation of this case. Later that day, Fernando met with Mr. DeFazio to ask the prosecutor to send a message to the police force that brutality will not be tolerated by seeking the full punishment justice allows.
Days later, on July 28th, Mr. Mateo and hundreds of members and leaders from Union City staged another protest, this time at the front steps of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s office. During this protest Fernando called out for justice for the Ives family, and upon Governor McGreevey to reach out to the family. Up to that moment, the Governor had neglected to do so.
Later that evening Gov. McGreevey met with Fernando and the Ives family in their Union City home. During this meeting the Ives family expressed their concerns to the Governor about the handling of the case, and Fernando outlined plans for a civilian commission (the Ives Commission) to monitor and assist citizens who have been victims of acts of police brutality. The Governor agreed to arrange a meeting with Attorney General Peter Harvey, so HAA can move forward with this commission. He also promised the Ives family that justice would be sought in this case.

The very next day, July 29th, Jaramillo was charged with murder in the first degree and official misconduct. Never before, in Hudson County, had charges been filed so quickly against an active member of the police force.

HAA encorages all to cheer for Alex Rodriguezl.

Hispanics Across America and its president Fernando Mateo is encouraging all
Yankee fans to get behind A Rod in a show of support that demonstrates to
him that we appreciate who he is, and what he stands for as a Yankee and as
a great Latin American Ballplayer.

HAA looking to get Roberto Clemente's number retired throughout Major League Baseball.

Hispanics Across America President Fernando Mateo has launched a national campaign aimed at getting Roberto Clemente’s number 21 retired in the same manner which baseball has retired Jackie Robinson’s number. Clemente who is looked upon as a pioneer for all Hispanic baseball players and an ambassador by all Latinos around the world, has all the credentials to be given this honor statistically as a Hall of Famer and as a Humanitarian. A web site has been created to help garner the support of all fans around the world in our quest to get this great honor accomplished. You can log on to www.retireclemente21.com to register your support to this cause.

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