We continue to call on Governor Lujan Grisham and our lawmakers to meet our demands and declare a climate emergency & make serious moves on climate!
Protesters call for ‘courageous leadership’ on climate change and
legislative support for a ceasefire in Gaza
Protesters cause a disruption during State of the State address on Jan 16. 2024 during the opening day of the legislative session. (Photo by Anna Padilla for Source NM)
Protesters disrupted Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s State of the State address on Tuesday calling on her and lawmakers to demand a transition away from fossil fuels and a ceasefire in Gaza.
Three separate times, protesters stood up from their seats in the gallery above the House of Representatives where state, local, tribal and federal officials or their representatives had gathered for the governor’s speech to kick off the 30-day New Mexico legislative session.
“Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, legislative leadership, you were elected to represent us. You work for us, not industry,” the first group said from the House Gallery. “We need your courageous leadership. There is a genocide in Palestine. We do not want New Mexico to arm war. We do not want New Mexico to fuel the climate crisis. The people want peace and justice everywhere. Stand up for Palestine. Stand up for a ceasefire now.”
No False Solutions Pushes Back push back on Gov.'s oil-industry
wastewater plan
Environmental activists pushed back Monday against an initiative from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham that would finance the treatment and recycling of oil-industry wastewater, warning that the plan relies on unproven technologies and might propel more water-intensive fracking for oil and natural gas.
Lujan Grisham is seeking legislation and regulatory changes that would allow the state to finance development of a strategic new source of water by buying and selling treated water that originates from the used, salty byproducts of oil and natural gas drilling or from underground saltwater aquifers.
The aim is to help preserve freshwater sources by providing a new source of recycled water for industrial uses, at the same time helping an arid state attract businesses ranging from microchip manufacturers to hydrogen fuel producers.
YUCCA TRAVELS TO NEW YORK DEMANDING THE END OF FOSSIL FUELS
We're very grateful to have been part of the NM Delegation of over 50 Indigenous, youth, frontline, and environmental organizers bringing our NM Declaration and demands for justice to the UN, to the streets of NY, to the press, and to the movement. The Source journalists who spent the day with us during our NM Climate Strike a week ago did a great job making the connections in their article below.
READ OUR THREE REPORT BACKS TO SEE ALL THE ACTIONS WE WERE APART OF!
YUCCA LEADS RALLY & SIT-IN OPPOSING HYDROGEN & NUCLEAR
Thank you to all that helped rally outside the Capitol, and joined in on our sit-in at the Governor's Office on Thursday, Feb 23 as we demonstrated our strong opposition to bills that will continue to cause irreparable harm to New Mexico communities. There is still much to do as we continue to fight against extractive legislation.
Over 100 Youth Climate Justice Activists & Supporters
Stage Die-In on Opening Day of the 2023 NM Legislative Session
Over YUCCA stage a 'die-in’ in the rotunda inside the Nm Capitol on the first day of the legislative session, Tuesday, January 17th. YUCCA is demanding lawmakers' take immediate action this session to address climate change and protect their future.
Youth leaders are demanding an end to the state’s practice of chasing short-term profits at the expense of long-term climate stability. The group is demanding investment in a Just Transition Fund, and carbon emissions reduction standards bills this session as well as other bills to protect the environment and advance renewable energy this session.
YUCCA YOUTH BLOCK TRAFFIC & ENTRANCE TO
THE OIL & GAS ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING
Over fifty youth from around the state took the day off of school today to protest the annual New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA) gathering. Organized by YUCCA, young Indigenous, POC, and allied youth and adults marched and rallied during the opening session of the annual NMOGA Meeting to demand an end to oil and gas extraction and exploitation that puts fossil fuel profits over the health, safety, and futures of New Mexicans. Speakers from YUCCA, Pueblo Action Alliance, and K’owa Collective were joined by Indigenous Water Protectors who traveled from Diné Nation for the action.
The protesters blocked traffic and blocked the entrance of the hotel - calling for corporate accountability for the ways in which oil and gas has burned New Mexico - literally and figuratively.
NO FALSE SOLUTIONS!
We joined allied organizations at the NM Legislative Finance Committee in Prewitt and Gallup, NM to stand up against false solutions like blue hydrogen. During the 2022 Legislative Session, New Mexicans and our Reps said NO to fracked gas hydrogen in New Mexico and NO to public investment. Yet, Reps like Patty Lundstrom are continuing to push hydrogen down on NM and Indigenous communities. Now the Legislature is using interim committee hearings as a venue for hydrogen hype without a simultaneous presentation of scientific evidence. Hydrogen produced from “natural” methane gas is not a “clean” energy, nor is it renewable. We spoke against this greenwashed false solution and the need to invest in renewables in the state. We must stay vigilant given the Governor's intent to continue to pursue federal $ for a multi state hydrogen hub and state "leadership" who are bitter that their initial proposals were voted down.
On behalf of all that we love and all that lives:
WE THE PEOPLE
THE YOUTH OF NORTHERN NEW MEXICO,
Declare a climate emergency and call on the adults that love us and the government that claims to represent us - to join the call and take immediate action to save our futures and all life on earth.
