Page 7 - Missing Foundation News Today

Gabby Petito. Natalee Hollaway. Elizabeth Smart. These are names most Americans recognize when you talk about missing young women.

Recently, Cali Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Ebony Alert system into law— the first state to notify the public when Black children and women disappear.

The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides all Americans with “the equal protection of the laws.” But California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom seems to think this doesn’t apply to the once “Golden” state, since he has now signed into law a bill that creates a special emergency alert—but only for missing black children and no one else.

When Credibility Matters

California officials say the law will 'raise public awareness about the disproportionate numbers of Black missing persons.'

California’s new “Ebony Alert” is likely unconstitutional, as it prioritizes only searching for missing black youths and no one else.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California will create a new statewide alert system said to be the first in the nation specific to help find missing Black children and young Black women.

Black women and girls are at increased risk of being harmed and sex trafficked.  A recent report on human trafficking incidents across the country also found that 40% of sex trafficking victims were identified as Black women. The county of Los Angeles reported that 92% of girls in the juvenile justice system identified as victims of sex trafficking are Black, according to the Congressional Black Caucus. 

System intended to rectify disproportionate number of abducted and sex-trafficked Black children overlooked as ‘runaways’

Black families also deserve to bring their loved ones home, no matter the outcome, requiring community engagement, equal law enforcement, and media coverage. Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 673, the “Ebony Alert,” to address the lack of attention given to Black youth and Black women who go missing in California. Like the Amber Alert, the bill authorizes the law enforcement agency to request the California Highway Patrol to activate an Ebony Alert when Black children and young B...