Hello Friend,
Earth Care here! It's March & we have lots of announcements this week. Below you'll find information from the Keep Santa Fe Multicultural Coalition's Walking Tour this Saturday, YUCCA legislative roundup update, our environmental justice campaign update & some other local calls to action.
Saturday 3/6 at 11 AM ~ Gentrification Walking Tour
Gentrification Walking Tour
Saturday March 6th @ 11:00 AM
Meet at the Railyard Park lot
740 Cerrillos Road
Join the Keep Santa Fe Multicultural Alliance for a walking tour & learn about the Santa Fe's ongoing gentrification & also how it fits in with the struggle to keep & restore the Multicultural Mural in our downtown space. It also of course intersects with so many other issues in Santa Fe.
+Parking financial assistance available. +Reminder to wear a mask
Photo Credit: Austin Fisher
A Historic Chicano Mural Is Being Destroyed for an Art Museum by Alicia Inez Guzmán "After years of design revisions, state and city approvals, and a construction freeze as a result of the pandemic, the New Mexico Museum of Art (NMMA) announced construction would start in early February on its second location, Vladem Contemporary. The project has been steeped in criticism since early 2018, when naming rights were offered to Bob and Ellen Vladem in exchange for a four-million-dollar gift. Transplants from Chicago, the Vladems have come to symbolize a wave of outsiders reshaping Santa Fe’s real estate and art scene toward wealthier interests... The most recent announcement was especially inflammatory to advocates of the “Multi-cultural” mural, including the grassroots coalition Keep Santa Fe Multicultural, of which I am also a member. As a group we have spent much of the last year in dialogue with members of state governance, including cabinet secretary Debra Garcia y Griego, NMMA Director Mark White, and others, campaigning against the planned “retirement” of the artwork. The mural, located on the eastern facade of the Joseph E. Halpin Records Center, will be destroyed as a consequence of the renovations. The exterior wall where it is located, according to architectural plans, will remain."
Environmental Justice Campaign
As you know we are working with the NM Environmental Law Center & local community residents to fight against the expansion of asphalt plants in our neighborhoods and demand alternative sustainable development opportunities that advance health equity and economic justice. We have 3 weeks til the March 22 public hearing date. We will be organizing protest letters to the NM Environment Department and more. Today, Miguel & Tierra Contenta resident Linda Marianello will be on the Richard Eeds show. You can listen at 103.7 FM or listen later here: https://santafe.com/shows/the-richard-eeds-show/
If you live in the area (near El Camino Real school/off of 599 & Airport)
please join us at the next meeting Saturday March 6th 10-11:30AM. Contact info@earthcarenm.org to RSVP
If you're not a resident of the impacted area - you can be an ally by amplifying the communities' calls for environmental justice and the rights of southside residents to clean air and a healthy environment and respond to campaign calls to action coming soon.
YUCCA LEGISLATIVE ACTION ROUNDUP
Here's a snap shot of some of the bills we are following! Sign up for our Google Alerts HERE to get weekly updates & take action on key pieces of legislation!
Last week we saw SB 84 Community Solar Act passed its 2nd Committee (after a 5 hour debate) - we're waiting for it to be scheduled to be debated & voted on the Senate Floor.
We are also trying to get SJR 3 Environmental Rights CA/Green Amendment scheduled in committee as well as SB 83 Local Choice Energy and SB 412 16Vote.
HB 297 Workforce & Economic Prosperity Act passed is headed to its 2nd committee tomorrow Tues 3/2 at 2 pm in House Labor, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee. This is an important bill re: just transition.
House Bill 12 - Cannabis Legalization (with equity provisions) already passed the floor! It's headed to the Senate. However, there are 3 Senate Cannabis bills. We're rooting for HB 12 though!
HB 20 Healthy Workplaces Act aka paid sick leave just passed the House Floor, it heads to the Senate! This is so important. Paid sick leave is treated as a luxury and privilege in NM. For many, the pandemic has illuminated the importance of Paid Sick Leave & Worker protections in general. Attend the Paid Sick leave virtual rally Tuesday 3/2 @ 6:30 pm. Check it out here!
HB 43Black Education Act is also awaiting a vote on the House Floor before heading to the Senate!!
HB 40 Private Detention Moratorium Act is slated to be heard today in its 3rd House Committee Hearing. Check out the phone zap event below!
Calls to Action & Events This Week!
Paid Sick Leave Virtual Rally - FB Live
Tuesday 3/2 @ 6:30 PM
Join workers, community members, union members and allies for a virtual rally with State Legislators to discuss why hard working New Mexicans need earned paid sick leave. HB 20 passed by 3 votes on Sunday. We need to get this passed in the Senate too!
RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/nm-wfp/event/376576/
NNM & ABQ Standing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is hosting a phone zap hour on Wednesday 3/3 @ 1 PM
SURJ Action Hour for House Bill 40 Private Detention Facility Moratorium Act and Federal HR 40: Tell your legislators NO to private prisons, YES to reparations.
RSVP Here: bit.ly/surjhour
Free Them All Friday: Debrief and Discussion of "Judas and the Black Messiah" Wednesday March 3 @ 6:30 pm Join the FTA NM Coalition as we host Black Panther Party Member, Aaron Dixon and Fred Hampton's Lawyer, Jeffrey Haas for this incredible review of Judas and the Black Messiah from two folks who knew, organized with, and continue to honor the legacy of Fred Hampton's revolutionary vision.
RSVP: bit.ly/FTAmarch5
Acequia Career Day!
Thursday March 4th - 4-6 pm
This event is designed for middle school, high school and college aged youth, but is open to all ages and to families.
This gathering will include presentations by inspiring experts and leaders who work in many diverse ways to protect NM acequia waters and acequia culture and traditions.
Email emily@lasacequias.org or call (505) 995-9644 with questions.
Information also on the NMAA website. REGISTER HERE
Navigating COVID Life: How to Build Trust with Families
Check out these resources and training to combat misinformation and fear of the COVID-19 vaccine from our national partners at Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors.