Minnesota Focusing on Missing Black Women
On February 20, lawmakers in Minnesota took a big step to closing the gap in how missing Black women are searched for and publicized in the United States. Minnesota is close to becoming the first state to dedicate an entire office for missing Black women and girls. Black and Missing Foundation Founders Natalie Wilson and Derrica Wilson, in addition to families and advocates for missing persons of color, were present to watch the historic passing of the Minnesota House bill, HF 55, which will create an "Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls." The bill passed on a 110-19 vote to become law and must be approved by the Senate and signed by Governor Tim Walz.
"We applaud Rep. Ruth Richardson and the Missing and Murdered African American Task Force for championing and creating this first of its kind office in the nation to combat the issue of missing and murdered Black women and girls," said the BAMFI founders. "We hope that this bill will be a model for every state in the nation to address the disproportionate number of missing and murdered Black women and girls."
Shasha Thor went missing in Minnesota last year. Thankfully she was found. Black girls and women go missing in Minnesota at a rate higher than their white counterparts.
"When Black women and girls go missing, their cases stay open four times longer than their white peers," said Rep. Richardson, sponsor of the bill. "Families and communities are crying out for resources and supports to establish the Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls because we matter, we are worthy of protection, and because families and communities deserve closure and justice for their loved ones. This office will implement a community-based response to address this crisis and is a blueprint for a national response."
In the 2021 session, the legislature established the Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American Women to examine the causes of violence against African American women and recommend policies to address those causes. The provisions in this bill will ensure the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension operate an alert program and requires issuance of an alert when a person is determined to be missing and endangered.
A disturbing report from the Task Force found that Black women were three times more likely than white women to be murdered in the state. Black women make up only 7% of the total population in Minnesota. Yet, they are 40% of domestic violence victims, which has a direct correlation to those who go missing or are murdered.