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Protesters interrupted Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s State of the State address, calling for action on fossil fuels and a ceasefire in Gaza.
The protest highlighted the demand for a transition away from fossil fuels and an end to military involvement in Palestine.
The protesters voiced their concerns from the gallery above the House of Representatives, where officials had gathered for the governor’s speech, marking the start of the 30-day New Mexico legislative session.
The first group of protesters addressed the governor directly, stating, “Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, legislative leadership, you were elected to represent us. You work for us, not the industry.
We need your courageous leadership. There is a genocide in Palestine. We do not want New Mexico to wage 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.”
According to the source, Lt. Gov Howie Morales attempted to restore order by calling on the sergeant at arms to intervene.
In response to the protesters, Gov. Lujan Grisham deviated from her prepared remarks, saying, “I hope they’re going to be happy later when we talk about all the climate change and renewable energy that we’re bringing.”
Two additional groups continued the protest, chanting, “Global warming is a war of the rich on the poor. End the bombing, end the siege.
Palestine will be free.” Gov. Lujan Grisham acknowledged the protesters, noting the complexity of the issues at hand and expressing pride in the state’s protection of free speech, even in the face of dissent.
After each group spoke, New Mexico State Police and legislative security removed the protesters from the building. The protesters were not allowed to return inside.
Gov. Lujan Grisham commented, “This is a state and this is a country that protects people who don’t share your exact opinion, and I’m very proud of that.”
According to a news release from the activists, more than 100 people traveled from across the state to participate in the protest.
The demonstration was organized by a coalition of progressive groups, including Youth United for Climate Crisis Action (YUCCA), Southwest Coalition for Palestine, New Mexico Jews for a Free Palestine, Santa Feans for Justice in Palestine, the Santa Fe Ad Hoc Committee on Palestine, ABQ4Ceasefire Collective, and Northern NM Showing Up for Racial Justice.
YUCCA spokesperson Zephyr Jaramillo expressed the protesters’ demands, stating,
“New Mexicans want a just transition to real, proven sustainable energy technologies, we want polluters to be held accountable and to clean up their messes, we want green jobs, we want investment in our future, not plutonium pit production, we want a ceasefire, we want an end to colonization and occupation everywhere.”
Jaramillo emphasized opposition to nuclear weapon production and fossil fuel extraction, calling for accountability and true leadership from elected officials.
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Gov. Lujan Grisham acknowledged the protesters’ concerns, stating that state officials may not have all the answers to the world’s problems in the immediate term.
The governor’s speech and the ensuing protests highlight the ongoing debate over environmental and foreign policy issues in New Mexico and beyond.