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Defiant Bosnian Serbs celebrate banned 'statehood' holiday

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Defiant Bosnian Serbs celebrate banned 'statehood' holiday
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Defiant Bosnian Serbs celebrate banned 'statehood' holiday

2018-01-10 11:45 Last Updated At:12:50

Bosnian Serbs celebrated a banned "statehood" holiday Tuesday in stubborn defiance of the west and their non-Serb compatriots, but with tacit backing from Russia.

A man wrapped in a Serb flag adorned with a photo of former Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic, pray in a church as part of ceremonies to celebrate a banned Serb holiday in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Radivoje Pavicic)

A man wrapped in a Serb flag adorned with a photo of former Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic, pray in a church as part of ceremonies to celebrate a banned Serb holiday in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Radivoje Pavicic)

A handful of international guests attended the celebration in Banja Luka, the largest city in the Serb-run part of Bosnia, Republika Srpska. They included Serbia's interior and defense ministers, as well as Anatoly Bibilov, president of Georgia's breakaway province of South Ossetia.

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A man wrapped in a Serb flag adorned with a photo of former Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic, pray in a church as part of ceremonies to celebrate a banned Serb holiday in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Radivoje Pavicic)

A man wrapped in a Serb flag adorned with a photo of former Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic, pray in a church as part of ceremonies to celebrate a banned Serb holiday in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Radivoje Pavicic)

Members of the police forces of Republic of Srpska march during a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Radivoje Pavicic)

Members of the police forces of Republic of Srpska march during a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Radivoje Pavicic)

Members of the police forces of Republic of Srpska march during a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. n Serbs declared the creation of their own state in Bosnia, igniting the country's devastating 4-year war. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Members of the police forces of Republic of Srpska march during a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. n Serbs declared the creation of their own state in Bosnia, igniting the country's devastating 4-year war. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Bosnian Serb people gather for a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Bosnian Serb people gather for a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

A Bosnian Serb woman watches a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.  (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

A Bosnian Serb woman watches a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.  (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Members of the police forces of the Republic of Srpska march during a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.  (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Members of the police forces of the Republic of Srpska march during a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.  (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Members of the police forces of Republic of Srpska stand guard moments before a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.  (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Members of the police forces of Republic of Srpska stand guard moments before a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.  (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Members of the police forces of the Republic of Srpska stand guard moments before a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.(AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Members of the police forces of the Republic of Srpska stand guard moments before a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.(AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Milorad Dodik, President of the Republic of Srpska waves with tree fingers moments before a parade marking 26th anniversary of Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Milorad Dodik, President of the Republic of Srpska waves with tree fingers moments before a parade marking 26th anniversary of Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Milorad Dodik, the President of the Republic of Srpska, centre, accompanied by Republic of Srpska officials watch a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.(AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Milorad Dodik, the President of the Republic of Srpska, centre, accompanied by Republic of Srpska officials watch a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.(AP Photo/Amel Emric)

The guests flanked Bosnian Serb nationalist leader Milorad Dodik at a podium to watch a parade by police officers armed with automatic weapons, Bosnian War veterans, and members of sport clubs and rescue services. Closing the procession were Serb members of the Night Wolves, a Russian motorcycle club that staunchly supports President Vladimir Putin.

Members of the police forces of Republic of Srpska march during a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Radivoje Pavicic)

Members of the police forces of Republic of Srpska march during a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Radivoje Pavicic)

The January 9 holiday commemorates the date in 1992 when Bosnian Serbs declared the creation of an exclusively Serb state in multi-ethnic Bosnia. Backed by Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic, the act ignited the country's fratricidal 1992-95 war.

After the war, which claimed 100,000 lives and left 2.2 million people displaced, Republika Srpska became a semi-autonomous region of Bosnia. Non-Serbs who returned to their homes there view the holiday as a celebration of the expulsions and violence they suffered.

Members of the police forces of Republic of Srpska march during a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. n Serbs declared the creation of their own state in Bosnia, igniting the country's devastating 4-year war. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Members of the police forces of Republic of Srpska march during a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. n Serbs declared the creation of their own state in Bosnia, igniting the country's devastating 4-year war. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Bosnian Serb people gather for a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Bosnian Serb people gather for a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Addressing several thousand people who lined the street cheering Tuesday's parade, Dodik said Serbs had "two states" - Republika Srpska and Serbia - which would always support each other and "wish to become one."

Dodik, who has repeatedly stated that the Serbs' long-term goal is secession from the rest of Bosnia, often boasts of Russia's support for his hard-line policies and efforts to keep Bosnia from establishing closer ties with the West.

Bosnia's constitutional court banned the Serb statehood holiday in 2015, but Bosnian Serbs have refused to accept the ruling. Their defiance led the United States to impose sanctions on Dodik last year, while European diplomats and EU representatives in Bosnia have stopped meeting with him.

However, Dodik insisted Tuesday that he has many international friends and backers.

A Bosnian Serb woman watches a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.  (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

A Bosnian Serb woman watches a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.  (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Members of the police forces of the Republic of Srpska march during a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.  (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Members of the police forces of the Republic of Srpska march during a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.  (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

"We have many friends and we are proud of them..We have friends in Russia and China," he said, going on to list Austria's right-wing Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache as "a great friend."

Over the past few years, Dodik has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at least five times. Many fear the apparent Russian support for his destabilizing policies is part of Moscow's effort to strengthen its foothold in Europe and could have devastating impacts on the conflict-prone Balkans region.

Members of the police forces of Republic of Srpska stand guard moments before a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.  (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Members of the police forces of Republic of Srpska stand guard moments before a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.  (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Members of the police forces of the Republic of Srpska stand guard moments before a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.(AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Members of the police forces of the Republic of Srpska stand guard moments before a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.(AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Doubling down on his anti-West and pro-Russia rhetoric, Dodik encouraged Bosnian Serb lawmakers in October to pass a non-binding resolution opposing Bosnia's stated goal of joining NATO.

Membership in the military alliance is a goal supported by the Muslim Bosniaks and Croats who account for over 65 percent of the country's population.

Milorad Dodik, President of the Republic of Srpska waves with tree fingers moments before a parade marking 26th anniversary of Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Milorad Dodik, President of the Republic of Srpska waves with tree fingers moments before a parade marking 26th anniversary of Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Milorad Dodik, the President of the Republic of Srpska, centre, accompanied by Republic of Srpska officials watch a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.(AP Photo/Amel Emric)

Milorad Dodik, the President of the Republic of Srpska, centre, accompanied by Republic of Srpska officials watch a parade marking the 26th anniversary of the Republic of Srpska in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018.(AP Photo/Amel Emric)

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New Mexico celebrates hydraulics and heritage with lowrider car holiday

2025-02-12 06:12 Last Updated At:06:23

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State lawmakers are embracing New Mexico's time-honored culture of transforming customized lowrider cars into rolling canvases of artistic expression and a source of community pride.

House and Senate lawmakers designated Tuesday as Lowrider Day at the state Capitol, marked by celebrations of Latino tradition and history. Proposed legislation would go farther by creating specialty license plates in tribute to lowriders.

Legislators including state Sen. Leo Jaramillo also are drafting a bill this year that would enshrine the lowrider as New Mexico's state vehicle — alongside the roadrunner as state bird and the spikey yucca state flower. Lawmakers also envision a future lowrider museum in the car-crazed city Española, 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Santa Fe.

Jaramillo says the Upper Rio Grande Valley emerged as the cradle of lowrider car culture in the 1960s as Vietnam War mechanics brought their skills to bear on customized cars. Decades later, an MTV crew documented New Mexico lowrider traditions and labeled the Española valley as the “lowrider capital of the world.”

Lowrider enthusiasts on Tuesday parked vehicles near a statehouse entrance, including a vintage Pontiac Grand Prix in sparkling-fuchsia paint and an eyepopping, orange Cadillac with golden wire-rim wheels.

“It’s more than just a moving piece of art. It’s also STEM in motion, the science of hydraulics, the mixing of paint,” said Jaramillo said. "When I speak to kids in Española about lowriding, I always remind them about the science behind it."

Democratic state Rep. Cynthia Borrego said lowriders are intertwined with memories of growing up in small-town New Mexico and cruising in cars on weekends during the 1970s and '80s. In recent years, New Mexico cities including Albuquerque have rolled back ordinances that restricted “cruising," by labeling it as a nuisance. Today, Borrego said, entire families embrace lowrider traditions.

“People bring up their kids, knowing how to work on cars, how to show them,” she said. “It does sort of became a family thing.”

On the House floor on Tuesday, state Rep. Art De La Cruz of Albuquerque reminisced about his first car — a 1964 Chevrolet Impala and makeshift lowrider.

“We couldn't afford these fancy hydraulics. ... All we could do was put weights in the back of the car” to lower the suspension, he said. “I put cement sacks in there. It worked. It didn't hop.”

New Mexico State Senator Leo Jaramillo of Espanola sits inside a lowrider truck owned by Lorenzo Otero outside of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., on Lowrider Day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

New Mexico State Senator Leo Jaramillo of Espanola sits inside a lowrider truck owned by Lorenzo Otero outside of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., on Lowrider Day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Vicki Garcia cleans her 1963 lowrider Chevy Impala outside of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., on Lowrider Day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Vicki Garcia cleans her 1963 lowrider Chevy Impala outside of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., on Lowrider Day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Lorenzo Otero polishes a car club emblem on his lowrider truck outside of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., on Lowrider Day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Lorenzo Otero polishes a car club emblem on his lowrider truck outside of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., on Lowrider Day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Joan Medina of Chimayo displays her 1987 lowrider Pontiac Grand Prix outside of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., on Lowrider Day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Joan Medina of Chimayo displays her 1987 lowrider Pontiac Grand Prix outside of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., on Lowrider Day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Lorenzo Otero's car club emblem is seen on the window of his lowrider truck outside the State Capitol in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Lorenzo Otero's car club emblem is seen on the window of his lowrider truck outside the State Capitol in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Lorenzo Otero of Albuquerque wipes down his lowrider truck outside of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Lorenzo Otero of Albuquerque wipes down his lowrider truck outside of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Joan Medina of Chimayo displays her 1987 lowrider Pontiac Grand Prix outside of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., on Lowrider Day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Joan Medina of Chimayo displays her 1987 lowrider Pontiac Grand Prix outside of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., on Lowrider Day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Joan Medina of Chimayo displays her 1987 lowrider Pontiac Grand Prix outside of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Lowrider Day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Joan Medina of Chimayo displays her 1987 lowrider Pontiac Grand Prix outside of the State Capitol in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Lowrider Day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Angelo Medina of Chimayo who along with his wife Vicki brought their lowrider 1987 Pontiac Grand Prix to the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., on Lowrider Day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Angelo Medina of Chimayo who along with his wife Vicki brought their lowrider 1987 Pontiac Grand Prix to the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., on Lowrider Day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Joe Romero of Albuquerque shines his original 1959 Chevy Impala outside the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M. on Low Rider day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

Joe Romero of Albuquerque shines his original 1959 Chevy Impala outside the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M. on Low Rider day, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

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