Albuquerque- Today, President Joe Biden declared May 5th National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. This day will serve as an annual reminder of the Indigenous individuals and loved ones who were murdered or went missing because they were systematically neglected and dismissed by investigators and law enforcement. The President’s proclamation is a positive step towards ending the targeting of Indigenous persons and holding those responsible accountable for their crimes. The Democratic Party of New Mexico hopes this declaration leads to further progress toward this goal.

“Too many Indigenous families across the country, and here in New Mexico, have been impacted by the loss of their loved ones. Thanks to the courage of families and activists, and the action of leaders like President Biden, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and New Mexico state legislators, our nation and state are making progress at long last to provide equal protections under the law for Indigenous victims and their families. President Biden’s proclamation is an important step to raise awareness, right historical wrongs, and bring justice to the Indigenous New Mexican families who may never see their loved ones again.”

“At every level of government, we have to do better for Indigenous communities to bring justice and closure to families and enact systematic changes. By recognizing the tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous persons, the Biden Administration acknowledges the historic negligence toward this issue, a somber yet necessary step to create a lasting solution. Our Indigenous communities will continue to work with those in power as we hold them accountable to enact policy and provide the resources necessary to ending this scourge and bringing justice to our families.”

President Biden’s full Proclamation on Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day can be read here.