Free Community Event Features “First We Bombed New Mexico” Documentary and Panel Discussion

Alamogordo NM- Alamogordo residents are invited to a free screening of the powerful documentary “First We Bombed New Mexico” this Thursday, August 12, at the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts.

The documentary explores the profound impact of the Trinity Site atomic bomb test on Otero County and the surrounding region, examining the historical events and long-term consequences of the 1945 test at White Sands Missile Range.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, August 12, 2026

Time: Doors open at 5:30 PM | Film begins at 6:00 PM

Location: Flickinger Theater

1110 N New York Ave, Alamogordo, NM 88310

Cost: Free admission – All welcome

Discussion with Local Leaders

Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a live discussion with:

• Lois Lipman – Director and Producer

• Rep. Gabe Vasquez – U.S. Representative (NM-02)

• Deb Haaland – Democratic Candidate for Governor

This panel discussion will allow community members to engage directly with local and state leaders about the film’s themes and the Trinity Site’s ongoing significance to Otero County and New Mexico.

About the Documentary

First We Bombed New Mexico, directed and produced by Lois Lipman, originally premiered in 2023 and was revised following pivotal legislative changes in 2025. The documentary examines the long-term impacts of the July 16, 1945 Trinity nuclear test—the world’s first atomic bomb detonation—on nearby New Mexico communities, with particular focus on a group known as the “Downwinders.”

The film centers on the largely untold story of the Downwinders: primarily Hispanic and Native American residents of the Tularosa Basin and surrounding areas who were exposed to radioactive fallout without warning or evacuation. Through personal narratives and decades of advocacy, the documentary follows Tina Cordova, a cancer survivor and co-founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, as she leads a multigenerational fight for recognition and compensation.

First We Bombed New Mexico shines light on the government secrecy and negligence that left countless families vulnerable to radiation exposure, and traces the multigenerational health effects—particularly cancer—that have plagued Downwinder communities for over 75 years. A significant chapter of the film’s narrative involves the eventual expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) in July 2025, which for the first time included New Mexico Downwinders in federal compensation programs.

The film has screened widely at festivals and community events throughout New Mexico and beyond, often accompanied by Q&A sessions with director Lipman and Cordova. This Alamogordo screening provides a rare opportunity to engage directly with these voices of resilience and advocacy.

About the Event

This screening is organized as part of the 2026 gubernatorial campaign, with support from Deb Haaland for New Mexico. The event brings together key voices in New Mexico’s nuclear justice movement and political leadership.

Director and Producer Lois Lipman will be present to discuss the film and her years of work documenting the Downwinders’ stories and advocacy efforts. Audiences will have the opportunity to engage with her insights into how the film came together and its impact on public awareness.

U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) represents the congressional district that includes Otero County and surrounding communities. Vasquez has been actively engaged with the issues of environmental justice and addressing the long-term health and economic impacts of nuclear testing on New Mexico communities.

Deb Haaland, the Democratic nominee for Governor (having won the primary in June 2026), brings a long track record of advocating for environmental justice, indigenous rights, and accountability for historical wrongs. These issues are intrinsically tied to New Mexico’s nuclear history and the experiences of the Downwinders, many of whom are Native American and Hispanic communities.

Why This Matters for Otero County

This screening and discussion provides residents an opportunity to engage with their community’s complex story told with nuance and respect. The Trinity Site’s legacy continues to shape conversations about environmental policy, public health, and New Mexico’s role in American history. The panel format allows for direct dialogue with regional and state leaders about how we remember, learn from, and move forward with this critical chapter of our past.

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