Two Big Wins For Our Movement – And How You Can Join Us For What Comes Next
- zoeyyucraft
- Nov 21, 2025
- 5 min read
This month, we've seen what is possible when we organize together for the future we deserve – and we're writing today with big wins to share, including a big step forward for our landmark Atencio v. State of New Mexico lawsuit and a hard-fought victory against the reuse of toxic fracking waste at the Water Quality Control Commission's last hearing.
As we look towards the new year, we're also building on this momentum as we prepare to bring together young people, organizers, and allies from across generations and struggles for We Got Us: a multi-day bootcamp, youth summit, and mass mobilization where we'll link arms to build skills, connections, and the kind of collective power that can't be ignored.
Read on to learn more about our latest wins and how you can join us in the fight ahead.
NEW MEXICO SUPREME COURT TAKES UP NMLAWS' LANDMARK LAWSUIT
Last week, the New Mexico Supreme Court agreed to hear our landmark lawsuit over the state's failure to protect public health and the environment from the harms of oil and gas pollution – protections that are required by our state constitution.
Oil and gas production in New Mexico has more than tripled in the past five years and increased more than tenfold since 2010 – for years, communities across the state have faced the devastating impacts of this growing pollution and industry expansion.
But despite unprecedented pollution and a duty to control it, decades-old exemptions in state statutes have meant that the oil and gas industry has gone almost untouched by environmental regulation.
That's why YUCCA came together with other Indigenous, frontline, youth and environmental groups and community members with NMLAWS (New Mexico Land, Air, Water, and the Sacred) to bring Atencio v. State of New Mexico, the first lawsuit to challenge the State of New Mexico for violating the Pollution Control Clause of the New Mexico Constitution – a clause that requires the state to prevent the "despoilment of air, water, and other natural resources" and to protect our "beautiful and healthful environment".
Now, as the case moves forward, YUCCA and other plaintiffs from NMLAWS are calling on New Mexico's highest court to affirm the state's duty to protect our wellbeing, our environment, and our future.
As YUCCA Campaign Organizer Jonathon Juárez recently shared, "We hope that the Supreme Court will find that our state constitution guarantees our right to a healthy environment and upholds the requirement that the state protect us from oil and gas pollution. We brought this case to protect every New Mexican from the devastation caused by the state's failure to control this filthy industry. It's time the state lives up to that commitment."
You can learn more about the case here from Politico, SourceNM, KRQE, and the Santa Fe New Mexican – and be sure to stay tuned for updates on how you can continue to stand with us as the case moves forward. ✊
In the meantime, help us pack the Totah Theater in Farmington TOMORROW at 5:00 pm for a screening of The Land of Sacrifice: The Burden of New Mexico Oil and Gas Extraction – a brand new documentary from filmmaker Annie Ersinghaus!
This short film breaks down the crisis we're facing as oil and gas production continues to rapidly expand in New Mexico – uplifting the stories of impacted community members, the policy solutions they’re calling for to protect their health and address the climate crisis, and highlighting the NMLAWS coalition's groundbreaking lawsuit.
Be sure to stick around after the film for a Q&A with local experts and advocates!
BIG WIN AT THE WQCC: COMMISSIONERS REVERSE COURSE ON TOXIC FRACKING WASTE
"I can remember a time in my life when I still drank from the acequia, when we still allowed our animals to drink. The ideal of keeping that water clean was instilled in me as a little kid. The only question I have for you today is, how much poison in the water is ok? Just a little bit? Are we going to be able to drink from the acequia again at some point?"
Those were the words of one Rio Arriba resident at last week's Water Quality Control Commission hearing last Thursday – where dozens of advocates, community members, and movement allies packed the room to defend our water and remind Commissioners that our government should serve the people, not polluters. And today, we're celebrating a victory that was only won because of months of advocacy at protests and hearings, public pressure in the press, and legal accountability from our movement allies
Photo: SourceNM | YUCCA leaders join community members for a September protest calling for Environment Secretary Secretary James Kenney's resignation, following the release of emails from the Santa Fe New Mexican.
During last week's hearing, the Water Quality Control Commission voted 7-4 to vacate – or annul – their July decision to hear a petition from the industry-backed "WATR Alliance" that would have opened the door for allowing oil and gas companies to dump toxic, radioactive waste into New Mexico's lands and waters. This was the Commission's first hearing since emails published by the Santa Fe New Mexican in September revealed that the Governor's office had been working behind closed doors to tip the scales to stack the deck in favor of big oil – leaning on cabinet heads, pressuring Commissioners, and lining up votes in a commission that's supposed to be independent. And decision-makers were feeling the heat.
At the beginning of last Thursday's meeting, Chair Bruce Thompson tried to prevent public comment on the discharge of toxic fracking waste, but the people spoke anyway. Even as the microphone was moved away, security asked us to leave, and nearly 40 people were stuck waiting to give public comment online due to a technical error, we made our voices heard: reminding Commissioners that we don't even know what's in "produced water", calling out the corruption we've witnessed, and demanding protections for our communities and water – and the Commission had no choice but to listen.
This fight is far from over. We know that the polluters, decision-makers, and lobbyists behind this toxic waste scheme – those who would rather prioritize industry profits than our lives and futures – will keep trying to push this through. But when the time comes, we'll be there to show up again and stop them.
READY TO JOIN THE FIGHT FOR OUR FUTURE? GET TRAINED UP AND TAKE ACTION WITH US IN JANUARY
We know that the fights ahead will take all of us.
That's why this winter, we're bringing people together across movements, generations, and struggles to build the kind of power that can't be ignored.
From January 16th-20th, YUCCA will host We Got Us: a multi-day bootcamp and statewide youth summit culminating in a powerful mass mobilization on the opening day of the 2026 Legislative Session. As we step into the new year, We Got Us is designed to help us sharpen our skills, deepen our relationships, and ground ourselves in the solidarity and collective power that this moment demands.
On January 16th-19th, our We Got Us Bootcamp will give young people, adult allies, and community members a space to connect with each other, strategize for the fights ahead, and build our skills in direct action, de-escalation, street medic basics, policy advocacy, creative tactics, and legal observing.
While Bootcamp attendees are preparing to take action on Opening Day, we'll also host a powerful Youth Summit on January 19th designed specifically for young people ages 13-18 – a full day of interactive trainings and workshops focused on direct action, policy advocacy, and creative resistance.
Then, on January 20th, we'll mobilize. On the Opening Day of the 2026 Legislative Session, we'll come together in the streets to show decision-makers what it looks like when our movements stand together for climate justice, community care, workers' rights, abolition, migrant justice, and collective liberation for all of us.
Registration is open NOW through December 8th – click the button below to learn more, get registered, and help us spread the word.
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