Reports indicate that a protester was shot shortly before sunset on Monday in Albuquerque during attempts by protesters to pull down a monument of Spanish conquistador Juan de Oñate. Screenshot/LADP

Reports indicate militia men sporting military-style garb and carrying semiautomatic rifles attempted to stop protesters from tearing down a statute of  Juan de Oñate Monday in Albuquerque. Screenshot/LADP

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday night issued the following statement:

“Although we are still learning more about the situation, I am horrified and disgusted beyond words by the reports of violence at a protest Monday night in Albuquerque. The heavily armed individuals who flaunted themselves at the protest, calling themselves a “civil guard”, were there for one reason: To menace protesters, to present an unsanctioned show of unregulated force.

“To menace the people of New Mexico with weaponry – with an implicit threat of violence – is on its face unacceptable; that violence did indeed occur is unspeakable.

“I am monitoring the situation; my administration is in touch with local officials; the individual who was injured is in my prayers, and I am thinking of their family and friends. 

“Let me be clear: There is absolutely no space in New Mexico for any violent would-be ‘militia’ seeking to terrorize New Mexicans; and there is no space for violence of any kind on our streets and in our communities, or for any sort of escalation of reckless, violent rhetoric, no matter who strikes first. The instigators this evening will be rooted out, they will be investigated, and they will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”