MMIW Response

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Health Equity Council

May 6, 2021

Health Equity Council Response on Missing Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives

In response to the urgent, ongoing crisis on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives, on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, the National Day of Awareness of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an Executive Order establishing the New Mexico Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Task Force.

“Murder is the third leading cause of death for Indigenous women, they are 10 times more likely to be murdered than their Latinx, or White Counter parts” In addition 57% of all sexual assault cases occur in urban areas.  Bernalillo County has one of the highest rates of missing Indigenous women in the United States. This is a public health crisis and threat that is indicative of historical legacies of violence against women in New Mexico. It’s time to change the dial, and address violence in the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, and New Mexico. We cannot afford to have any more of our mothers, sisters, daughters stolen.” -Carmela M. Roybal, MBGPHPhD Candidate, Department of Sociology

“The Health Equity Council’s commitment to health equity is clear in our support for MMIW and impacted communities. For far too long we have been in a place where we need words more than actions and we look forward in supporting efforts to end this problem that stems from genocide, colonialism, and ongoing racism within our society.”- Enrique Cardiel, Executive Director, Health Equity Council (https://www.healthequitycouncil.net/)

Media Contact: Enrique Cardiel, Executive Director, enrique@bchealthcouncil.org

Free Outdoor Wireless Internet Access (WiFi)

To help provide internet access to as many folks as possible the City of Albuquerque has extended it’s public access to free WiFi hotspots (wireless internet connections) by providing additional locations in areas where social distancing is possible.

NM DOH Vaccine Registration

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is leading the State of New Mexico’s COVID-19 vaccination planning and implementation in close collaboration with other state agencies, as well as public, private and tribal partners throughout the state.