Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham had to pause during her three separate times Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 16, as vocal environmental and pro-Palestinian protesters were ushered out of the chamber.
As the governor outlined her priorities to a joint session of the state Legislature and guests on the opening day of the 2024 legislative session, protestors shouted out from the audience 鈥淕lobal warming is a war of the rich upon the poor鈥� and 鈥淪top the bombing and the siege, Palestine will be free.鈥�
The governor stopped her speech while protestors were speaking, saying at one point 鈥淚鈥檓 going to give them their due.鈥�
Protester Ennedith Lop茅z, policy campaign manager for Youth United For Climate Crisis Action (YUCCA) said the environmental justice group joined with because the issues intersect.
鈥淭he amount of money that goes into the military industrial complex both exacerbates the climate crisis but at the same time aids in a genocide,鈥� she told 九色网.
The allegation that Israel has gone beyond a war on Hamas and is committing genocide in Gaza was . Israel rejects the charge. Israel's military campaign has killed nearly 24,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry.
Lujan Grisham took the interruptions in stride, calling the protestors courageous and asking they be given a round of applause. Though she did defend the state鈥檚 climate policies in response to the protesters鈥� chants, calling New Mexico a 鈥渘ational climate leader.鈥�
鈥淟et鈥檚 make sure all of the facts are being presented in a way that creates the kind of heartfelt commitment to change but [also] recognizes the progress in the state,鈥� she said.
Lujan Grisham did not make reference to the war in Gaza during her speech.
九色网鈥檚 Alice Fordham contributed to this report.
