As New Mexico lawmakers prepare to convene for a Special Legislative Session in Santa Fe, advocates in Albuquerque are raising their voices for those most affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown. On Sunday, members of the Albuquerque Homeless Union, joined by participants from the People’s Forum and other community organizations, gathered at Civic Plaza to call for urgent action on housing, health care, and social support.
The rally, marked by colorful banners and heartfelt speeches, aimed to send a clear message to policymakers: it’s time to refocus New Mexico’s priorities toward people, not politics.
A Call for Compassion and Change
Organizers said the event was more than just a protest—it was a plea for leadership rooted in empathy. “This is a lament to our elected officials who are gathering in Santa Fe,” said Javier, a representative of the Coalition for a Safer Albuquerque. “We can do so much more. We’ve barely begun to treat the pain and suffering we’re seeing on our streets. What we’re asking for is the courage to invest in people again—to pull New Mexico into a new era of social responsibility.”
Banners displayed across Civic Plaza bore phrases like “Housing is a Human Right,” “Restore Health Care Funding,” and “Reopen Our Government.” Many attendees were individuals currently experiencing homelessness, while others were social workers, health advocates, and faith leaders who have been witnessing firsthand the growing strain on local support systems.
The Impact of the Shutdown
The federal government shutdown has had ripple effects across New Mexico, especially for residents who depend on federal programs for basic needs. Food assistance, housing subsidies, and health services have faced interruptions or delays, leaving many vulnerable families unsure how they’ll manage in the coming weeks.
“We’re seeing people who can’t access their benefits, who are losing housing vouchers, and who have no idea when things will stabilize,” said Maria Sanchez, an outreach coordinator with the Albuquerque Homeless Union. “This isn’t just a policy issue—it’s a humanitarian crisis unfolding in our neighborhoods.”
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Organizers say they want lawmakers to prioritize emergency funding that can temporarily fill the gaps left by the federal shutdown. They’re also pushing for long-term policy changes to ensure New Mexicans are not left stranded whenever Washington politics grind to a halt.
Focus on Housing First
Central to the Union’s demands is a “Housing First” approach—a strategy that places stable housing as the foundation for addressing other social challenges such as unemployment, mental health, and substance abuse. Advocates say the model has proven successful in other states, reducing chronic homelessness and saving taxpayer money over time.
“Without a safe place to live, everything else falls apart,” said Angela Martinez, a volunteer with the People’s Forum. “You can’t apply for jobs, you can’t keep your medications, you can’t sleep safely. It all starts with housing. Once people have that stability, they can rebuild their lives.”
The group is calling on state legislators to invest in affordable housing initiatives, expand rental assistance programs, and repurpose vacant government-owned buildings into transitional housing facilities.
Restoring Health Care Access
Health care access is another urgent concern. Many of the speakers at Sunday’s rally criticized the lack of adequate mental health services and the ongoing closure of several community health programs due to funding uncertainty.
“For people living on the streets, health problems don’t take a break because Congress can’t agree,” said Dr. Mark Pierce, a physician who volunteers at local shelters. “We’re seeing more untreated infections, unmanaged chronic diseases, and mental health crises that could be prevented with consistent care. The state has to step in where the federal system has failed.”
The Homeless Union urged lawmakers to restore funding for local clinics and mobile medical outreach programs that serve uninsured and unhoused populations.
A Broader Vision for New Mexico
While the immediate focus of the rally was on addressing the crisis created by the federal shutdown, speakers also painted a broader vision for New Mexico’s future—one centered on sustainability, equity, and compassion.
“We have the resources,” Javier said during his closing remarks. “What we need is the political will to use them differently. Imagine if we repurposed even a fraction of our state’s wealth into creating a humanitarian mission—one that ensures no child, veteran, or elder has to sleep outside again.”
Attendees also called for more transparency and community involvement in legislative decision-making. They urged the state to include those directly affected by poverty and homelessness in policy discussions, rather than making decisions from behind closed doors.
Looking to the Special Session
The Special Legislative Session, beginning Monday, will focus on budgetary adjustments and emergency responses to the ongoing shutdown. Advocates hope housing and health care funding will be at the top of the agenda.
“This is a moment of moral testing for our leaders,” Sanchez said. “We’re asking them to remember that behind every statistic is a person—someone’s mother, father, or child—just trying to survive.”
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The Albuquerque Homeless Union plans to send a delegation to Santa Fe during the session to meet with lawmakers and share personal stories from those affected by housing insecurity. The group says it will continue its advocacy throughout the year, pushing for permanent solutions that go beyond temporary relief.
Community Voices of Hope
Despite the challenges, there was a strong sense of unity and hope among those gathered at Civic Plaza. Volunteers handed out food, blankets, and hygiene kits, while local musicians performed songs about resilience and solidarity.
“This is what community looks like,” Martinez said. “When systems fail us, we come together and remind each other that we’re not alone. That’s the spirit we want our leaders to embrace.”
As the sun set over downtown Albuquerque, attendees lit candles in a quiet moment of reflection—a symbolic gesture of hope for a brighter, fairer future.
For Saunders and her fellow advocates, the message was simple but powerful: New Mexico can do better. With compassion, collaboration, and courageous leadership, they believe the state can turn crisis into opportunity—and finally give every resident a chance to live with dignity.
