Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

July 12, 2010

Nuclear Industry's Legacy of Death in New Mexico: July 16


.
Navajos and other New Mexicans remember legacy of death from Trinity atomic bomb detonation and Church Rock uranium spill on July 16

By Brenda Norrell
Narcosphere
Photo Atomic bomb detonation Trinity, NM, 1945

CHURCH ROCK and TULAROSA, N.M. - As the Obama Administration plans more nuclear power plants, and corporations target Navajo communities with new uranium mining, Navajos and other New Mexicans will gather to remember the nuclear industry's legacy of death at Church Rock and Tularosa, N.M., on July 16.
It was on this day, July 16, 1945, when the first atomic bomb was detonated 35 miles southeast of Socorro, N.M., at the Trinity Site. In Tularosa on Friday, a candlelight vigil will remember those who died of cancer. Survivors will offer testimony on Saturday.

It was also on this day, July 16, 1979, when the Church Rock uranium mill tailings spill took place. When an earthen tailings dam broke at the United Nuclear Corporation Church Rock Uranium Mill, large amounts of liquid radioactive waste spilled into the Puerco River in New Mexico, which eventually flowed downstream into Arizona. The majority of those living along the stream are Navajos.
Read article ...
http://narcosphere.narconews.com/notebook/brenda-norrell/2010/07/day-death-july-16-remembering-church-rock-spill-and-atomic-bomb-deto

No comments: