From L.A. to Gaza and New Mexico: This Is The Same Fight.

What's happening in Gaza, in Los Angeles, and right here in New Mexico aren't separate issues – it's the same violent system playing out across borders. A system that poisons our land and water. That funds bombs instead of schools. That tears parents away from their children. That treats our lives, our futures, and our communities as disposable.

At YUCCA, when we say we fight for climate justice, we mean we fight to dismantle that system – every piece of it.

Last week, the Freedom Flotilla – including crew members like climate activist Greta Thunberg – attempted to break the blockade and deliver aid to Gaza. Their ship was carrying baby formula, food, medicine, and hygiene supplies – a small offering of care in the midst of a genocide backed by over $14.3 billion in U.S. military aid this year alone. But they never made it. Instead, the ship was intercepted in international waters, the crew was detained, and the aid was seized before it could reach Gaza.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, our communities are rising up to protect each other.

Organizers, advocates, and community members are taking to the streets to stop ICE raids and defend their communities – an act of collective resistance and care that has sparked actions in cities across the country. In Compton and Paramount, protesters held the line for over eight hours – blocking raids, stopping arrests, and standing between ICE and our community members.

This isn't chaos – it's care. It's community defense. It's people putting their bodies on the line to protect each other and say: we keep us safe.

And how did the Trump administration respond to that kind of power? By sending in the National Guard. By deploying the Marines. By calling it "an insurrection". This is what fascism looks like, unfolding in real time – a system that criminalizes survival, punishes resistance, and protects power & control at any cost.

And that's exactly why we're organizing. Because we know that another world is possible – one that's rooted in care, not control.

What if the billions spent on genocide, deportation, and militarized policing were invested in housing, transit, education, food sovereignty, healing, and climate resilience — into care and the resources our communities need to thrive?

That's the kind of world we're fighting for.

We stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza, the crew of the Freedom Flotilla, and communities in Los Angeles and across the country who are rising up to defend their neighbors from ICE, deportation, and violence.

Because migrant justice is climate justice. Because there is no climate justice without a free Palestine. And because true solidarity means fighting together — across borders, struggles, and systems.

WE'RE HIRING: APPLY TO JOIN OUR TEAM BY JUNE 30TH!

We’re looking for our next Climate and Environmental Justice Policy Campaign Manager to continue building YUCCA’s climate emergency public policy campaign and Earth Care’s environmental justice campaign!  

This is a powerful opportunity to step into a movement-rooted, management-level role directly supporting youth-led, community-rooted policy campaigns for real climate and environmental justice. In this role, you’ll lead YUCCA and Earth Care’s policy work – developing strategy, coordinating campaigns, and elevating youth leadership in public policy fights – to push for bold policies that hold polluters accountable, keep fossil fuels in the ground, advance a just transition away from fossil fuel dependence, invest in renewable energy, and meet the climate crisis with the urgency that it demands. 

This is a management-level position – we’re looking for a collaborative, strategic leader with at least two years of experience supervising others and managing work products. The ideal candidate is deeply committed to the fight for real climate justice, with a strong background in analyzing and developing public policy, supporting grassroots communities in member-led advocacy work, and elevating youth voices and power. 

Interested in joining our team, or know someone who would be a perfect fit? 

Visit earthcarenm.org/hiring to learn more and view the full job description. Next, help us spread the word or submit your application by sending a resume and cover letter to yucca@earthcarenm.org by our June 30th deadline!

LEARN MORE & VIEW THE JOB DESCRIPTION

OUR FIGHT FOR A LIVABLE FUTURE CONTINUES: ATENCIO V. STATE OF NEW MEXICO UPDATE

Last week, a district court dismissed Atencio v. State of New Mexico — a lawsuit brought by youth, Indigenous, and frontline community members, including YUCCA, to challenge the state’s failure to adequately regulate oil and gas pollution.

We joined this case because we believe every New Mexican deserves clean air, safe water, and a livable climate — and that the state should do more to protect our young people and communities from the harms of fossil fuel pollution.

We’re disappointed by the ruling — but this fight is far from over. 

We’re appealing the decision.

New Mexico’s Constitution places a duty on the state to prevent the despoilment of our land, air, water, and other natural resources, and to protect our beautiful and healthful environment (Article XX, Section 21). For too long, our communities have borne the brunt of pollution from oil and gas operations — pollution that threatens our health, environment, and climate every day.

This case is part of a broader effort by NM LAWS (New Mexico Land, Air, Water, and the Sacred) to advance environmental justice and demand stronger protections under the law. It reflects our core belief: that future generations should be able to grow up in a healthy environment — and that communities most impacted by pollution must be at the center of our fight for a just, livable future.

We know the courts are just one tool. Whether in the courtroom, at the Roundhouse, or in the streets — we’ll keep organizing for bold climate action rooted in justice.

Thank you for standing with us. Be sure to stay tuned for more updates on how to support the next phase of this case. ✊

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CASE!