COVID-19

Gov. Lujan Grisham fearmongers over ‘Delta’ variant: ‘It’s not going to go away’

5 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

While touring a military cemetery on Monday, scandal-ridden Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham opined on the new fear tactic created by liberals in the form of the “Delta variant” of the coronavirus, which is now being used to force masking on citizens across the globe.

The discredited World Health Organization (WHO), which claimed at the beginning of the pandemic that there is “no evidence of significant human-to-human transmission and no health care worker infections have been reported,” is now instructing people to put masks on even if they are fully vaccinated.

Lujan Grisham has adopted the fearmongering stance by the WHO, telling the Santa Fe New Mexican, “If you’re not concerned about the variants, you are playing into that ‘COVID is over’ mentality.” 

“It’s a deadly virus, it’s not going to go away. This variant is serious,” she added.

Regarding “We’re not going to require it, but I think wearing masks inside in grocery stores and large gatherings is really important,” she said. “And if you’re not going to get vaccinated, you’ve got to wear a mask.

“The delta variant in particular,” she added, “is of significant concern.”

When asked by a veteran about the vaccination rates not meeting her benchmarks, the governor told him that she wanted the rate to be at 75%, adding, “I’m not sure I can do it in every county.” 

Facing questions regarding her critics who are angered over her continued lockdown in New Mexico, which has decimated 40% of small businesses and resulted in high child suicide rates, and economic catastrophe, she said, “I think it’s an unfair criticism and is politically motivated.” She added, “I feel good. We stayed the course and we’ve been methodical.”

The embattled Governor’s tenure as governor has been marked with scandal after scandal after scandal. From forcing through the most far-left extreme bills through the Legislature to paying off sexual accusers and her own daughter with campaign cash, and then “misplacing” $250 million in Workforce Solutions money, she has weakened her chance of reelection day after day. 

She repeatedly skirted her pandemic rules to buy luxury jewelry, used taxpayer funds for fine wine and $200/lb Wagyu beef steaks, berated local communities for not following her edicts, forced New Mexicans to stand in cold bread lines to get food and basic goods, fined churches and businesses tens of thousands of dollars for alleged non-compliance, removed the National Guard from the border and denied an immigration crisis, fired and hired cabinet secretaries on a dime, gave her staff hefty raises while New Mexicans lost everything, and now is giving away $10 million of New Mexicans’ dollars through a “lottery” to bribe people to take the experimental virus inoculation.

It should be noted that despite her claims that New Mexico is reopening on July 1, mask mandates remain in-place, including for children, among other restrictions.

Gov. Lujan Grisham fearmongers over ‘Delta’ variant: ‘It’s not going to go away’ Read More »

Thankfully, Anthony Fauci didn’t delete his emails like Gov. Lujan Grisham

3 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Anthony Fauci’s emails have been released, and they tell an interesting tale about the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. One particular email stood out to me from Fauci to Sylvia Burwell discussing masks.

Within the body of the email, Fauci asserts that the use of masks in a public setting is generally to prevent infected individuals from spreading a virus. More specifically, he writes that the “typical mask you buy in the drug store is not really effective in keeping out virus, which is small enough to pass through the material.” This email was sent on February 5, 2020.

If the drug-store masks are ineffective, why were they forced on the general population for over a year? Did masks help contain the spread of COVID-19 at all? What else do we not know?

But I’m not here to argue about the efficacy of masks and Fauci’s handling of the pandemic. I’m here to emphasize the importance of why we are able to have this discussion today: open government and transparency.

Without access to these documents, the country might not have ever known to ask these questions. This is significant as we can analyze the events in early 2020 in a new light. Most importantly, we can hold individuals accountable if they recommended policies that were known not to be effective.

Here in New Mexico, we have a different ongoing dilemma, one that is also rooted in transparency. Thanks to the initial efforts of Searchlight New Mexico, the additional whistleblowers that have come forward since the initial Searchlight report, and some well-timed public records requests submitted by yours truly, we know that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and her administration are still actively depriving the people of New Mexico access to public documents through permanent and automatic deletion.

In January of this year, a directive from the governor’s office was implemented by the New Mexico Department of Information Technology: delete all messages after 24 hours. This directive came before the governor’s press secretary acknowledged the use of a creative new term: “transitory.”

The deleted messages were broadly considered “transitory” in nature, a definition that has already been debunked in the context of transparency and is not a qualified exception under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), New Mexico’s government transparency law.

“Transitory” messages have been unofficially described as “employee banter, routine check-ins between workers and other insignificant exchanges.” The rub is that they’re all public documents and subject to inspection requests, regardless of whatever “transitory” qualification they try to apply.

Fauci could have used the same term to describe his seemingly innocuous email to Burwell about masks. What if Fauci had deleted that email because it was “just transitory”? 

All this and the responses from Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office that there are “no records responsive to your request” underlines a seriously dangerous trend and contemptuous attitude within the Governor’s administration. The widespread and systematic “paper shredder” policy is nothing short of criminal.

New Mexico’s Attorney General agrees: “public bodies acquiring information should keep in mind that the records they keep generally are subject to public inspection.”

The governor’s press secretary Nora Sackett said that the governor takes transparency and open government “very seriously.” If that’s true, then Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration and all New Mexico state agencies should shed their cloaks of secrecy and immediately stop the destruction of public documents.

This is a clear assault on the people’s ability to keep a watchful eye on their elected government and should be alarming to everyone, especially those who care for our democracy.

And remember, democracy dies in darkness.

Thankfully, Anthony Fauci didn’t delete his emails like Gov. Lujan Grisham Read More »

Why are NM officials pushing for COVID-19 vaccination in children?

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School districts and elected officials all over the state are pushing for students 12 years or older to be vaccinated with COVID-19 injections.  Incentives are being offered to kids for being vaccinated. For instance, some teachers are offering students extra credit for taking the shot. Coercion is a violation of Informed Consent.

Look at the data, from the May 24, 2021 NM COVID-19 Pediatric Case Report. 

  • Total COVID-19 cases in Age 0-17 = 29,404
  • COVID-19 Hospitalizations in Age 0-17 = 192
  • COVID-19 Deaths in Age 0-17 = 1

Based on these data, 99.4% of NM pediatric COVID-19 cases did not result in hospitalization.  NM kids have a 99.997% survival rate from COVID-19. And these numbers only include the kids who tested positive, and does not account for the many who likely developed immunity asymptomatically.

It is clear that children have extremely low risk from COVID-19. None of the COVID-19 injections have received full FDA approval, and they are authorized for Emergency Use only. All three COVID-19 injections include technology that has never previously been approved for use in vaccines (mRNA for Moderna and Pfizer, genetically-engineered adenovirus for J&J). There have been no long-term safety tests on COVID-19 injections. That means that we do not know what will happen to people who receive these injections 6 months from now, a year from now, or longer. 

As of May 14, the CDC’s Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS, which is at vaers.hhs.gov) has 227,805 negative reactions that have been reported for experimental COVID-19 vaccines. That includes:

There have been more deaths reported in the VAERS after COVID-19 vaccination in the last 5 months than there have been deaths reported from all other vaccines combined for the last 15 years. Over a third of the deaths reported after COVID-19 vaccination were in people who became ill within 48 hours of getting the shot.

It is known that adverse vaccine reactions are greatly underreported, and it is estimated that only 1-10% of these reactions are actually reported to the VAERS system. That means that the VAERS data potentially represents millions of adverse reactions and tens of thousands of deaths related to COVID-19 vaccines.

Reports of teens who have developed heart problems after COVID-19 vaccination are coming out from around the country. The two fifteen-year-olds who died after COVID-19 vaccination both died of heart failure (VAERS ID 1187918 and 1242573). The 16-year-old who died after COVID-19 vaccination (VAERS ID 1225942) had a pulmonary embolism (blot clots in the lungs). 

An 18-year-old who died (VAERS ID 1078352-1): he was vaccinated on March 2nd. The next day, on March 3rd, he complained of fatigue, body aches, and headache. On March 5, he said his chest was hurting. A few hours later, he was dead. 

Remember, NM kids have a 99.997% survival rate and only a 0.6% hospitalization rate from COVID-19.  The CDC said it was safe to re-open schools before vaccines were rolled out. Evidence from around the globe has shown this to be the case, even in countries that do not require masking, such as Sweden. 

The current push towards vaccination of children is not based on risk to kids.  Asymptomatic transmission has already been proven to be extremely rare, such that it should not be used to drive public policies. If we are going to actually follow the science, it is clear that there is no justification for pushing COVID-19 vaccination of NM children. 

The unknown long-term risks combined with children’s extremely low risk from this illness should make us all pause for careful consideration of the facts. Informed consent requires that people be made aware of potential risks and be free to make decisions without threats or coercion.  NM officials and school districts have no justification for pushing vaccination on school children, and this decision needs to rest securely in the hands of parents. 

Sarah Smith has been a natural healthcare practitioner for 8 years and is a former NASA aerospace engineer and scientist. Sarah is one of the leaders of the New Mexico Freedoms Alliance, a non-partisan grassroots coalition which advocates for civil liberties and constitutional representative government.

Opinions expressed by Piñon Post contributors do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the publication or its editorial staff. Submit an op-ed to the Piñon Post at news@pinonpost.com.

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CDC says no masks indoors if vaxxed but not in New Mexico… yet

6 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) updated guidelines on Thursday said it is permissible to “resume activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart” if one is “fully vaccinated except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”

That might be well and good for states that trust their citizens with freedoms to make choices about their health (such as wearing masks) by themselves, but not in the Land of Enchantment. Despite what the CDC says, according to the state’s latest emergency health orders, per Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Health Secretary Dr.  Tracie Collins, New Mexicans are warned to not leave their homes and to continue wearing masks. 

From the April 28, 2021 health order:

It remains the core purpose of this Order to emphasize that all New Mexicans should be staying in their homes for all but the most essential activities and services. When New Mexicans are not in their homes, they must strictly adhere to social distancing protocols and wear face coverings to minimize risks. These sacrifices are the best contribution that each of us can individually make to protect the health and wellbeing of our fellow citizens and the State as a whole. In accordance with these purposes, this Order and its exceptions should be narrowly construed to encourage New Mexicans to stay in their homes for all but the most essential activities. 

So despite what the CDC says, New Mexicans are still locked down and encouraged by overlords in Santa Fe to wear masks indoors for now. However, the Governor has adopted the CDC guidelines for fully vaccinated New Mexicans not to wear masks outdoors. 

A spokesperson for the Governor’s office previously told KOB 4, “The New Mexico mask mandate remains in place for the protection of the health and safety of all New Mexicans – any new data or recommendations will be reviewed and evaluated by the state, and we’ll keep you informed of any updates.” The Governor’s State Police are still harassing New Mexican businesses in alleged non-compliance with the mask mandates.

CDC says no masks indoors if vaxxed but not in New Mexico… yet Read More »

COVID vaccines: Why did New Mexico neglect its seniors?

5 Comments / Opinion / By

COVID-19 has overwhelmingly struck down seniors, as 80% of deaths have been of adults 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC recommended giving vaccine priority to this vulnerable group. Why did New Mexico ignore this guidance, as the last state to offer vaccines to all seniors?

Like many “neglected seniors,” I drove to Amarillo for my vaccines. Ironically, as I was receiving my second shot, I received a text from the New Mexico Department of Health telling me that “New Mexico is the most efficient state in the country for vaccine distribution.” Wow. As I drove back from Texas, I thought, “efficient” perhaps, but certainly not “just” or “science-based.” NM was then only “officially” vaccinating people over 75 or with health conditions. Just who were these people benefitting from the state’s “efficiency?” Who was getting priority over our unprotected seniors?

All of us neglected seniors saw younger, healthier friends getting immunized before us. One friend in their early ’20s, working remotely for local government, got both vaccine doses early, as had most of their colleagues since “they may be soon returning to work.” The CDC had determined that my then, the unvaccinated senior cohort was over 70 times more likely to die from Covid than theirs. Obviously, since February, any senior New Mexico COVID-19 deaths of those denied an early vaccine are a direct consequence of this governmental choice.

So how do we best understand this NM bias against our defenseless seniors? When the state finally offered us vaccines, it lumped us in with “other essential workers.” That’s it. Some lives are simply more “essential” than others. Our state is “pro-choice” on vaccines. As with abortion, the more powerful decide which lives are more worthy of protection.

The CDC has also ranked the states in order of providing vaccines according to “social vulnerability.”  New Mexico ranks #37, well behind our eastern neighbor at #7.  This is consistent with us giving vaccine preference to the more socially valuable. This governmental “choice” is directed at the defenseless, as in abortion. Just as our state taxpayer-funded abortions overwhelmingly stop poor people from reproducing.

New Mexico is one of the few places globally, outside of Communist North Korea, Vietnam, and China, with no restrictions on abortion. Albuquerque is known as the “Late-Term Abortion Capital of America,” and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has stated that she would like to increase abortion travel here, never requiring such visitors to quarantine. 

By denying Covid vaccines to vulnerable seniors while allowing unlimited abortion, a more powerful human can simply decide which lives are worth saving.  And now our state can provide this ethic to assisted suicide.

With our new “End of Life Options” law, we are the first state to allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe death.  As demonstrated with its vaccine priorities and unlimited abortion, we can sadly expect our state to use its power to remove the “less valuable.”  Pro-lifers do not generally use the “anti-abortion” label, as it diminishes our broader values.  We believe that all human life, from conception to natural death, is essential.  May our state’s bias with vaccines remind us of the dignity of all life, from the womb to the hospice.  May we love the vulnerable, not terminate them.

Opinions expressed by Piñon Post contributors do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the publication or its editorial staff. Submit an op-ed to the Piñon Post at news@pinonpost.com.

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UNM drafts mandatory COVID vaccine requirement policy

5 Comments / New Mexico, News / By

The University of New Mexico, the state’s flagship university in Albuquerque, has drafted a new COVID-19 vaccine requirement policy for all students and employees before returning to campus this Fall. 

If the policy is enacted, it is likely to create legal challenges for the school due to mandatory vaccines at a public, taxpayer-funded university being against constitutional rights. The university has yet to make a final decision.

“While the University has not made a final decision, we have drafted a vaccine requirement policy for our community’s consideration,” UNM President Garnett Stokes said in a written message Monday. “Your review and feedback are encouraged.”

“Our top priority continues to be safeguarding the health and well-being of our community, while … provid(ing) a world-class educational experience and advancing our public research mission,” Stokes added.

UNM’s policy reads, “In order to protect and preserve the health, safety and welfare of the UNM community, the University will require that all personnel accessing University Facilities and Programs in person be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as soonas possible, but no later than August 2, 2021 for staff returning to work on campus in any capacity, or by the beginning of the 2021-2022 academic year for faculty and students not currently working, living or learning on campus. This policy requires all UNM staff, faculty and students who access campus facilities, housing, programs, services and activities in person to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions and exemptions.”

The far-left University of California and California State University systems have said they will require the vaccine. The University of Colorado at Boulder will also require it for faculty, staff and students. Colorado State University also plans to require the vaccine at its Fort Collins and Pueblo campuses. Rutgers University in New Jersey among other schools has adopted the COVID-19 inoculation mandate.

According to the Albuquerque Journal, “UNM said on its website that university employees and students should make all efforts to comply with the policy by Aug. 2, or the start of the fall semester.” 

The mandatory vaccine requirement would be across the board for all of UNM’s facilities, however, a few religious and medical exceptions will be allowed, provided the individuals with such exceptions jump through extra hurdles, including other “safety measures” and frequent testing.

New Mexico State University spokesman Justin Bannister said the university “is closely watching the discussion …, but has not yet made a decision to require NMSU students and employees to be vaccinated.” 

Feedback on UNM’s policy can be submitted here.

UNM drafts mandatory COVID vaccine requirement policy Read More »

Liberal paper appears to glorify 19th century forced vaccinations to promote COVID-19 shot

Leave a Comment / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Sunday, liberal columnist and news writer Algernon D’Ammassa of the Las Cruces Sun-News appeared to praise Deming, New Mexico’s forcible vaccination in the 19th century during the smallpox outbreak.

In a column titled “How forced vaccinations and a brothel fought smallpox in Deming, New Mexico,” he drew similarities between the present-day COVID-19 pandemic with that of smallpox, citing a historian, C.A. “Gus” Gustafson, who said “door-to-door smallpox vaccinations were free to the public, ‘voluntary to most but forcefully to the reticent.’”

He said, “These men are not here to discuss constitutional theory or jurisprudence, nor to explore community ethics. They are here to inoculate you against a deadly contagious disease.” 

“Smallpox, eradicated by 1980 thanks to a global vaccination effort yet preserved in frozen vials around the world, laughs at COVID-19. Caused by the variola virus, it is highly contagious, producing dangerous fevers and lesions, often stealing one’s eyesight,” writes D’Amassa.

He says that “By the time smallpox arrived in Deming late in 1916, the U.S. Supreme Court had already ruled in favor of compulsory vaccinations in the interest of public health,” but noted how the COVID-19 disease is much less deadly than smallpox was in those days.

D’Amassa cites a Boston Globe report from that era which wrote, “writhing, cursing, struggling tramps … held down in their cots, one big policeman sitting on their legs, and another on their heads, while the third held the arms, bared for the doctors.”

“Deming seems to have gone even further than mandatory vaccinations. Physician Pinkney Minor Steed, who led the vaccination effort, also commandeered the brothel on San Carlos Street north of the railroad tracks, by Gustafson’s account, after the local hospital was overrun,” he continued.

D’Amassa wrote that since forcible inoculation, “we are in a different time both medically and legally,” where he happily got his COVID-19 vaccine, which has had many clinical reactions, by choice at the Deming Walmart.

“Instead of introducing a pathogen into my body — which troubles many vaccine resisters — this one instructed my body to create a spiky protein similar to SARS-CoV-2 so my body could practice how to kill it. This is why I experienced a mild fever and fatigue the following day,” he wrote.

He then said, “The vaccine is free and the state is imploring, not forcing, people to take it…. we are having arguments over how much we should accommodate healthy adults who refuse to be vaccinated.”

The COVID-19 vaccine is still in its infancy, currently in an experimental stage based on “emergency use authorization” by the FDA. In contrast, smallpox was active for centuries, with the first vaccine originating in 1796 and the world fighting the disease completely by 1980–184 years later. 

D’Amassa appears to glorify the medical practice of forced injection in the 19th century, trying to push the point that people were being forced to have a shot because it was “a deadly contagious disease.” He then tries to lump in the COVID-19 vaccine with his personal experience by downplaying the side effects of the vaccine while promoting the fact that it is not being “forced” on Americans.

However, even right here in New Mexico, workers have been allegedly forced to take the jab in many government agencies. In one case, a Doña Ana County Detention Center officer, Isaac Legaretta, sued his managers, claiming they threatened he would be fired if he did not take the COVID-19 vaccine. This is the first forcible vaccination lawsuit in the nation.

On Friday, Joe Biden announced he “may order all U.S. military forces to receive the coronavirus vaccine at a time of troubling voluntary acceptance rates among some troops.” 

The glorification of forced vaccination in the past by D’Amassa and the pending litigation regarding such a practice today could very well scare people into taking the COVID-19 vaccine in fear of government retaliation.

NBC News did a piece on Americans that may be forced to get the vaccine:

Liberal paper appears to glorify 19th century forced vaccinations to promote COVID-19 shot Read More »

Carrot, meet stick: MLG dangles nine-week ‘100%’ reopening goal in front of New Mexicans

3 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Wednesday, embattled Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who was accused and later settled with $62,500 in campaign funds for sexual assault, held a COVID-19 press conference. The presser comes after quite some time without one, where she claimed New Mexico could be open in nine weeks. She said, “In nine weeks, New Mexico, we are open,” given that 60% of the population is vaccinated by June 30. 

The news comes as more counties shifted from red, yellow, and green status to turquoise while the criteria for what these colors mean changed again to mean case numbers modified from 5% to 7.5%, test positivity rates move from eight to 10 per 100,000 people, and percentage of the vaccinated population is added as a new requirement with a 35% weekly threshold.

Under the new criteria,  24 counties are in “turquoise,” six are in “green,” three are in “yellow,” and none are in “red.” 

Human Services Secretary David Scrase said, “I think this is clearly doable,” but “it’s going to take extra work,” which can be interpreted as code as the administration once again moving the goalposts. 

However, if the state meets the 60% goal for “100% reopening,” it still means that indoor mask requirements will remain, masking for youth sports will remain, the Coronavirus state of emergency will remain, New Mexicans are still on stay-at-home orders. This comes despite a masked Rio Rancho athlete collapsing due to lack of air during a race due to Gov. Lujan Grisham’s mask-mandated athletics. 

Dr. Scrase and Gov. Lujan Grisham also both indicated that in the future, annual “booster” inoculations are likely coming. 

Countless New Mexico jobs have been destroyed forever. People have left the state in droves due to the lockdown orders. Many have been reliant on the government’s unemployment system despite some jobs reopening. New Mexico trails the entire nation with employment numbers as the third-worst unemployment state.

During the pandemic, Lujan Grisham has repeatedly skirted her own lockdown orders, forced New Mexicans to stand in cold breadlines over the holidays, misused government funds to buy $200 per pound Wagyu beef steaks and fine wine, and constantly changed the science and criteria on reopening the state. 

Carrot, meet stick: MLG dangles nine-week ‘100%’ reopening goal in front of New Mexicans Read More »

MLG has photo-op at Los Alamos school after finally lifting one-year ban on in-person learning

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After closing public K-12 schools in the state of New Mexico for over an entire year to supposedly “mitigate the risk of community spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s ban on in-person learning left countless children without schooling and crippling relapses for many students. In many instances, children in rural areas could not access their “virtual” classrooms due to the lack of technology or wireless connection to the internet. 

The damage the Governor’s lockdown caused was much more painful than merely the year of education many children lost altogether. Hundreds of children in New Mexico took their own lives in 2020 and early 2021, with New Mexico ranking the second-worst state for suicides. As for teen suicides, New Mexico ranked as the fifth-highest state nationwide in 2020. In July 2020, New Mexico hit a boiling point as the state with the highest rate of suicide in the nation, with the rate for children ages 4-15 increasing by 88%.

The Albuquerque Journal reported that around 12,000 “missing” children were going without instruction at all during the pandemic. 

A mere month before the end of the school year, the late reopening of schools has been met with opposition by radical science-denying teachers’ unions. Some even claimed going back to school is still unsafe despite vaccines readily available and CDC guidelines updated. 

Far-left state Rep. G. Andrés Romero, a teacher at Atrisco High School in Albuquerque, said he “worried that switching from remote learning to a hybrid model could be an added stress on teachers and students who already strained. He urged caution to districts considering the option,” according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Now, as schools are opening back up, Gov. Lujan Grisham is trying to capitalize as much as she possibly can, trying to portray herself as a hero for reopening the schools despite the countless New Mexico students who have been affected adversely by her strict and arguably cruel lockdown. 

She posted a photo of her visiting a sparsely-attended playground photo-op at Aspen Elementary School in Los Alamos, writing, “I was glad to have the opportunity to visit Aspen Elementary School in Los Alamos this morning, where students and staff were excited to see each other and to be back in the classroom. I look forward to a continued successful and safe re-entry to in-person learning statewide.”

On Sunday, the Governor shared a video made by teachers at Lew Wallace Elementary school in Albuquerque, writing, “Students & educators across the state are excited to be going back to the classroom this week & safely resuming in-person learning. The teachers & staff at Lew Wallace Elementary can’t wait to see their students again – check out this amazing video they made welcoming them back!” 

The tweets come as Lujan Grisham appears to be trying to move public perception away from her strict lockdown and to her reopening of schools. However, New Mexicans will likely not forget her stringent lockdowns, which have cost the lives of multiple children and irreparably harmed the state’s teachers, parents, and youth for years to come. 

MLG has photo-op at Los Alamos school after finally lifting one-year ban on in-person learning Read More »

New Mexicans holding statewide protest on one-year anniversary of COVID-19 lockdown

8 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Saturday, March 20, grassroots organizers are planning statewide rallies against New Mexico’s COVID-19 lockdowns. The event “will be a non-partisan, peaceable, statewide rally for freedom. Organizers from Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Edgewood, Las Cruces, Roswell, Portales, and other cities will stand with fellow New Mexicans at sites across the state to support ending lockdown,” says a press release from the various groups, many being part of the New Mexico Freedom Alliance, organizing the statewide event.

The rally occurs “on the same day that freedom rallies will take place in dozens of countries all over the world, including Canada, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Denmark, Australia, Lithuania, Ireland, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Norway.” 

Sarah Smith, of Free People of the Southwest, said, “The Governor’s Lockdown policies are killing our state. New Mexicans have suffered from higher COVID-19 death rates than states with far fewer restrictions, such as Texas, Idaho, Utah, and Florida.” 

She added, “Hundreds of NM businesses have failed, leading to long-term loss of livelihood for thousands, increased food insecurity, high rates of unemployment, rampant depression, and other mental health issues, as well as increased suicide rates, especially among children. The lockdown has to stop. The immediate and long-term health of New Mexico’s citizens is at stake. There is ample evidence, from across the country and around the world, that restrictive lockdown policies are unnecessary and harmful. There is no reason to extend this tyrannical lockdown in New Mexico.”

A lawsuit to end the lockdown filed against Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham by New Mexico Stands Up! is now working its way through the Federal Court. Ana Garner, the lead lawyer on the case, said, “The lockdown and other mandates in New Mexico are causing vast harm, are ineffective, and are medically unnecessary. We have overwhelming evidence and testimony to prove it. It also violates the U.S. Constitution, the New Mexico Constitution, and all precedent of human rights and civil liberties. We call upon our elected representatives and justices to end this crime against New Mexico now.”

Jesse James, a Roswell resident, and organizer of Concerned Citizens for New Mexico added, “People can’t take this any longer – and they shouldn’t have to. The Governor’s illegal and immoral abuse of power in New Mexico cannot be tolerated. Whatever party you identify with, it’s time to raise our voices and say ‘No more!’”

The No Lockdown, Yes Freedom rally is the first statewide protest to show that New Mexicans from diverse communities and belief systems oppose lockdown in New Mexico, according to the press release. 

Locations of the protests, directions on what to bring, and who to contact for more information can be found here. 

Contact Sarah Smith at concernedfornm@gmail.com for more information.

New Mexicans holding statewide protest on one-year anniversary of COVID-19 lockdown Read More »

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