First We Bombed New Mexico

FIRST WE BOMBED
NEW MEXICO

A film by Lois Lipman

First We Bombed New Mexico is the untold story of Trinity, the world’s first nuclear bomb detonated in New Mexico one month before the bombing of Hiroshima.

It is a story of government betrayal with tragic consequences.

Thousands of New Mexicans - mostly Hispanic and Native American - were exposed to catastrophic levels of radioactive fallout, never warned, never acknowledged and never helped afterwards. Generations of cancers followed.

Inspiring New Mexico Hispanic cancer survivor, Tina Cordova has catalyzed a movement seeking compensation for families - mostly Hispanic and Native - who suffer multigenerational cancers tied to that bomb – and who continue to be ignored.

This documentary is witness to the people’s narrative for voices not heard.

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ACTIVIST AWARD

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Trinity Bomb Detonation, July 16,1945

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"First We Bombed New Mexico is an urgent and timely expose of our governments shocking failure to recompense — or even acknowledge—the victims of the Trinity A bomb, the ‘Downwinders’ who generation after generation have paid with their health and their lives. Lois Lipman’s powerful documentary, fueled by the righteous anger of activist and cancer survivor Tina Cordova, is a revelatory call to action."

David Ansen, American Film Critic

Recently, the US Senate voted with rare bipartisan unity and a vote of 69 to 30 to grant compensation for the ignored New Mexico Downwinders by passing S. 3853. President Biden issued a rare Statement of Support and said he would sign S. 3853 as soon as the bill reached his desk. There were also enough bipartisan votes in the House to approve S. 3853.

BUT House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to bring S. 3853 to the House floor for a vote. He allowed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to sunset.

Our world stands on a nuclear precipice. It is urgent that the American public finally know the consequences of the Trinity Bomb -- our world's nuclear origin story -- so we are able to demand justice for countless lives lost and destroyed.