Honoring the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium: Their Fight for Justice for Victims of the Trinity Test

The Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium (TBDC) is a group of activists who seek justice for the victims of the Trinity Test, the first atomic bomb detonation on July 16, 1945. The test exposed thousands of people living in nearby communities, largely Latino communities to harmful radiation, causing cancers and other diseases. The TBDC was founded in 2005 by Tina Cordova and Fred Tyler, along with other residents of Tularosa, to collect data and raise awareness about the health effects of the test.The Trinity Test was part of a series of 200 atmospheric nuclear tests conducted by the United States between 1945 and 1962. These tests also affected thousands of uranium miners, mostly Native Americans, who provided the raw material for the bombs. The miners and the downwinders were not warned of the dangers of radiation exposure and were not compensated for their suffering.After decades of lawsuits and advocacy, Congress finally passed a bill in 2023 to amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), which provides compensation to individuals harmed by nuclear testing and uranium mining. The bill, which was signed into law by President Biden on August 8, 2023, expands the eligibility criteria to include the downwinders of New Mexico and the post-1971 uranium miners/workers. The bill also covers more states and territories affected by nuclear testing, such as Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Guam, Nevada, Arizona and Utah.The passage of the RECA amendments was a historic victory for the TBDC and the Native American communities who fought for their rights and recognition. HealthCare UnTold honors these groups and asks you to donate to: The Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium.The Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium (TBDC).Please send checks directly to:TBDC c/o Tina Cordova7518 2nd St. NW​Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107​Sources: July 29,2023/The Washington Post 'No 'Oppenheimer' fanfare for those caught in first atomic bomb's falloutby Karen Brullard and Samuel Gilberttrinitydownwinders.comYouTube: Tina Cordova ExcerptsOppenheimer