NNMC News:

ESPAÑOLA — What happens when the stories of our backyards are left out of history books? This spring, Northern New Mexico College invites the community to confront the legacy of nuclear weapons testing and development in our state—often erased from national memory but deeply felt in our communities. “Bombs in Our Backyard” is a two-part event series that lifts the voices of those who have lived in the shadow of the nuclear industrial complex. Through powerful storytelling, film and dialogue, we aim to spark awareness and conversation around New Mexico’s past and present role in the nuclear weapons industry. These events are free and open to the public.

The series opens with a screening of the acclaimed film, “First We Bombed New Mexico” (https://www.firstwebombednewmexico.com/) at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 1, at the Nick Salazar Center for the Arts. Admission is free and open to the public. The film reveals the hidden history of the world’s first nuclear detonation at the Trinity Site in New Mexico, just one month prior to the bombing of Hiroshima. We will be joined by Lois Lipman, the director of the film, and Tina Cordova, whose organizing and activism is featured in the film. They will be in conversation with Nathana Bird from Tewa Women United.

At 12 p.m. Thursday, May 8, we will have an open conversation about recent developments in nuclear activity across New Mexico, inspired by the New Yorker article by Abe Streep, “New Mexico’s Nuclear Weapons Boom.” This powerful piece highlights the growing role of the nuclear industry in our region—and features stories about Northern New Mexico College students and academic programs. We’ll be joined by special guest Alicia Inez Guzmán of Searchlight New Mexico, an investigative journalist who focuses on nuclear issues and the industry’s local impact. This free event will be in the Small Auditorium at the Nick Salazar Center for the Arts

The “Bombs in Our Backyard” series is sponsored by a New Mexico Arts grant, NNMC Office of the President, Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, NNMC Arts & Human Sciences Department, NNMC Youth & Community Praxis Lab, New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, and Bryan Ortiz.