Dear Friend,

Nearly 79 years ago, on July 16th 1945, the US conducted the first ever nuclear test, the Trinity test.  The first communities impacted by nuclear testing were those people living downwind of the first nuclear bomb explosion. They were not told about the test even as fallout ‘snowed’ over their farms, homes, and wells.  To this day, the impact of this radioactive fallout continues to affect the families that lived close to the testing site, and they have not received any assistance or compensation. 

Learn more about the work of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium and their allies to fight for recognition and compensation in the film: “First We Bombed New Mexico,” being screened in Albuquerque, New Mexico on 16 July. A recent bill to extend and expand coverage of the US compensation scheme is still being ignored by Congress. U.S. citizens should urge their elected representatives to pass the bill that extends and expands the Radiation Compensation Exposure Act. 

On 14 July, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Interfaith Power & Light, NM-EP, New Mexico Conference of Churches, Nuclear Watch New Mexico, Soka Gakkai International-USA and Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium are organising an interfaith remembrance of the Trinity Test, including exhibitions, music, speakers, and moments of reflection and prayer. All are welcome in person in Albuquerque, NM or online. Get the details and register here. 

For decades, survivors of nuclear testing around the world have been calling on their governments for justice. Globally, survivors have pushed for recognition, compensation and environmental remediation and achieved the first international treaty to require countries that join it to help those affected by nuclear weapons use and testing and to take steps to address contaminated environments: the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. 

Now it's time to stand with them! To mark the 79th anniversary of the Trinity test, will you help share their stories, and their calls for justice, on social media?

Thank you,

Alicia Sanders-Zakre
Policy and Research Coordinator
ICAN
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons