*California’s state legislature has approved the Ebony Alert bill, which would allocate the necessary resources to locate missing Black youth and women.
State Senator Steven Bradford introduced the bill in March and the legislation is awaiting the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom. The goal of the bill is to address the “often ignored or lack of attention given to Black children and young Black women that are missing in California,” according to a statement.
“The Ebony Alert would ensure that resources and attention are given so we can bring home missing Black women and Black children in the same way we would search for any missing child and missing person,” said Bradford.
“When someone who is missing is incorrectly listed as a runaway, they basically vanish a second time. They vanish from the police detectives’ workload. They vanish from the headlines. In many ways, no one even knows they are missing. How can we find someone and bring them home safely when no one is really looking for them,” said Bradford.
So proud to share that my #EbonyAlert legislation is now on the @CAGovernor‘s desk after passing the #CALeg with bipartisan support. This bill will help bring home missing Black youth & young women up to age 25 who rarely receive adequate attention. #SB673https://t.co/oXSZNLWng9
— Senator Steven Bradford (@SenBradfordCA) September 18, 2023
Per the statement, which cites the Black and Missing Foundation, “38% of children reported missing in the U.S. are Black. The U.S. population is 14% Black. Black children are disproportionately classified as “runaways” in comparison to their white counterparts who are classified as “missing” and, therefore, many Black children do not receive the Amber Alert.
Black women and girls are at increased risk of being harmed and trafficked. A recent report on human trafficking incidents across the country also found that 40% of sex trafficking victims were identified as Black women.”
“SB 673 would authorize a law enforcement agency to request that an Ebony Alert be activated if that agency determines that it would be an effective tool in the investigation of a missing Black youth or young Black women between the ages of 12 – 25 years. SB 673 would encourage news organizations including television, cable, online, radio and social media outlets to cooperate with disseminating the information contained in an Ebony Alert,” the statement continues.
“Black women and girls are at increased risk of harm and make up a disproportionate percentage of all missing people. The NAACP California Hawaii State Conference considers missing Black women and girls an epidemic and necessary for its own safety alert.” said Rick Callender, NAACP California Hawaii State Conference President.
“SB 673 will create the Ebony Alert, providing law enforcement with additional tools and resources to help locate missing Black youth and adults through cooperation with the community and the CHP,” Callender added.
On X (formally Twiiter), Bradford wrote, “So proud to share that my #EbonyAlert legislation is now on the
@CAGovernor’s desk after passing the #CALeg with bipartisan support. This bill will help bring home missing Black youth & young women up to age 25 who rarely receive adequate attention. #SB673.”
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