The missing and murdered indigenous women in Nebraska remembered at Omaha rally
5,712 cases of missing or murdered indigenous women were reported. Only 116 were logged by the US Department of Justice.
In Omaha, a gathering of Native Americans and concerned and impacted citizens brought attention to the violent situation by holding a rally. Marchers were led by Women of Color Nebraska Caucus and their elders. They spoke and blessed the participants at US District Court, then led them on a march to the steps of the Douglas County Courthouse.
Senator Tom Brewer wrote LB 154 which aims to improve the reporting and investigating of these missing women. The bill was signed by the governor on March 7, 2019. Senator Brewer represents a district that borders South Dakota and was present for the march. Sings at the rally read “No More Stolen Sisters” and “#somebodysdaughter.”
Hear Our Voices - Native American Women’s Task Force March
The news media was also present at the rally, and WOWT 6 News reported that “33 Native American women are currently listed as missing in Nebraska, that's the seventh-highest number of missing indigenous women in the United States, according to Urban Indian Health Institute. 24 of those cases are right here in Omaha.”
(Omaha's Invisible No More rally draws attention to missing indigenous women)
Photo by Precious McKesson
Photo by Kevin Abourezk
Women of Color Nebraska Caucus (WOCN)
Observance began at US District Court; marchers went south from the court’s plaza, down 18th Street, and along Farnam Street to Douglas County District Court.
“Today's March focused on a very important but often overlooked issue impacting indigenous women and girls is exactly why WOCN was formed,” said their facebook post. “WOCN is honored to have been a part of bringing public awareness to a very important crisis in our city and state of missing and murdered Native American women and girls. There is still so much work to be done and we all have an opportunity to support their efforts.” They also highlighted the turnout for the Invisible No More rally.
WOCN charter member Colette M YellowRobe confirmed the existence of the problem, sharing the problem as it relates locally. The conversation lead to organizing a community forum “Our Missing and Murdered Native American Women” that took place on September 28th and which political operative Michelle Sky Walker and other “subject matter influencers” served as panelists alongside YellowRobe.
The Native American Task Force was formed, which lead to the rally on Monday morning.
”Great job Colette and team.”
Photo by NOISE
Photo by NOISE
Over 100 people were detained in a mass arrest in Omaha Nebraska last weekend while professing Justice for James Scurlock and solidarity with the Protests in Portland. It is believed the mass arrest violated state law, and the violent treatment protesters say they experienced at the hands of police raises bigger questions of civil rights violations. Hear what the protesters experienced in their own words in The Protestors' Diary: Farnam Street Bridge.