NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Curtison Badonie, 505-243-9199 or [email protected]

CSVANW Praises House for Passing Savanna’s Act and The Not Invisible Act, Moving to President’s Desk to Become Law

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – September 22, 2020 – The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) praises the House for passing and moving Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act to the President’s desk to become law to address missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW).

“We have arrived at a moment in history,” says Angel Charley, CSVANW Executive Director, “The signing of these two crucial bills into law will commemorate hundreds of years of advocacy. We are looking forward to seeing these bills become law because our women and children deserve these enhanced protections.”

On September 21, 2020, Congress passed both Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act, both bills address the MMIW crisis in Indian Country and will require federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies to track, create protocols, solve and prevent any further harm against Native women.

“This is also an opportunity to encourage those in position of decision making to continue to center impacted families a part of finding solutions in our Native communities of the ongoing struggle of MMIW2S,” says Cheyenne Antonio, CSVANW Sex Trafficking Project Coordinator.

This is a crucial first step from the federal government and CSVANW hopes to see continued progress to pass more legislation that strengthens safety for Native communities while also ensuring support and justice for Native women, families and communities.

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