National Day of Awareness Rally brings together those involved in MMIP awareness

Families of missing or murdered relatives gathered in Bergpark on May 5 to continue to demand justice and honor their loved ones at the second annual Farmington rally for National Consciousness Day.

speaker included Jamie Bigey, Indigenous San Juan University 2022-23. Her cousin Cecilia Barber disappeared in 2019 and was found murdered in Las Vegas in 2021.

Begay said she attended a rally. …if you know (about someone who is missing or murdered) please let me know! “

President Joe Biden formally declared Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Day on May 5, 2022, and signed the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022.

The event kicked off with music by DJ Phish, followed by event organizers, Northwestern New Mexico Crusades for Justicesupport groups for families of victims.

albuquerque lawyer Darlene Gomez I co-hosted an event, but I was out of the country. Gomez represents his MMIP family on a pro bono basis.

Randall-Shorty introduced State Rep. Anthony Allison (D-San Juan County), who made a statement in support of the MMIP. Allison, along with Gallup and Crown Point Council members and Albuquerque Channel 7 news of his visit to Window, Arizona, shortly after the opening ceremony he traveled to The Rock, where he held his MMIW honor and memorial walk. issued his statement.

Among the many relatives in attendance was Celeste Henderson, who spoke of her husband, Candrick Begay. Her husband, Kandrick Begay, was murdered along with Anthony McCants on April 5 at his place of business, Highway 64 Autosalvage in Farmington. Their case is still under investigation by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.

Becky Martinez, sister of missing Calvin Martinez, said through tears. “I didn’t want to get out of bed today,” she said.

Martinez tearfully described her brother as “might have built your house… (or) picked you up by the roadside.” She pleaded with attendees to “help me find where her brother Calvin is.”

Shanna Nez’s brother, Jevon DeShaney, disappeared on October 25, 2021 and was found dead on November 12, 2021 with his hands handcuffed behind his back.

Georgiana Harrison is the sister of Ranelle Rose Bennett, who disappeared from the Hogback home on June 15, 2021.

Jermaine Russell’s missing relative, Leon Hayes, was last seen on February 2 at Mesa Farms.

A man sitting on the grass, who requested anonymity, said his daughter, TT, a senior in high school, went missing on the way to school five years ago. is wearing

Other participants included George Cordero and son Chris Cordero, Four Directions Brotherhood, an organization that supports Indigenous families in the United States and Canada in times of crisis. They moved from Cisco, Texas to provide security for the event.

Christian Johnson, president of AIM Diné Territory, said the organization is a grassroots-based branch of the Native American movement and has several certified search and rescue team members.

In a recovery effort to find the missing relatives “no longer on this planet,” Johnson said, the team conducted a search, “into a small cave … and we were able to search underwater.” Mr Johnson said he unfortunately never found the person alive.

“Keep an eye on each other when you’re in town…keep an eye on each other’s children,” Johnson said.

The AIM Diné Bikéyah Chapter was also present. Both AIM chapters collaborate on MMIP issues.

by Andrea “Mussy” Denetso Relatives of Dineh missing and murderedHer purpose in attending MMDR and gatherings was to “create a sense of unity among (MMIP) families and to know that they are not alone,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was Lashaona Tso, deputy secretary of the New Mexico Bureau of Indian Affairs.

“As of today, an estimated 200 New Mexico Natives are missing. It is the result of discrimination and poor cooperation between law enforcement agencies,” a Grisham official said on May 5. declaration said. “This is a nation that will continue to fight to break this pattern, working closely with sovereign nations.”

Tso vowed to continue his quest for justice on behalf of the state’s 23 nations, tribes and pueblos who have lost loved ones and are calling for closure.

Representative Kimberly Martin mobile victim advocate shiprock division Utah Navajo Health Systemsaid her work focuses on advocating for victims “as a liaison between families and law enforcement”. I’m here.

San Juan County PartnershipAn organization focused on homelessness and substance abuse prevention, “supports communities in every effort to magnify[the MMIP problem],” said program coordinator Dionna Comanche.

Also supporting the rally and the MMIP was victim advocate Sarah Holiday. Farmington Police Department Victim Assistance Program, Magic Roofing and Construction Company, New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs, Tota Behavioral Health Authorityand Farmington Fire Department.

Detective Alma Chavez and Sergeant Daven Badoni. Justin Anaya and Lieutenant Sean Goodsell of the Farmington Police Department attended the rally to express their support for the MMIP victims and their families.

Red Eagle Wing drummer and dancer Nathan Largo honored families and the missing with a sacred song and dance.

The event concluded with Randall Shorty reading out the names of the missing and murdered in Farmington, San Juan County and the Navajo Nation, followed by a family march down Scott Avenue to San Juan Boulevard, Berg – Returned to the park pavilion.

“Remember their names, say their names,” proclaimed Randall Shorty.

Names of missing or murdered indigenous women and relatives

Joey Apache

Coren Bedney

Candric Bigey

Ella Mae Begay (The suspect was recently arrested and his body has yet to be found.)

Ruben Beghey

Ranel Bennett

Marcus Bowman

Ashley Collins

Jevon Deseny

Leon Hayes

melanie james

Eugene K. Martinez

Calvin Martinez

Melissa Montoya

Anthony McCants

pepita red hair

Tiffany Reed

Abram M. Segura

Zakaria Jwan Shorty

Laverda Sorel

Derrick Tenorio

Shona Toya

Jonathan Wakondo

Kaelin with a hurt face

Jamie Yazzy

Anyone with knowledge of a missing or murdered person is asked to contact the FBI’s Farmington office at (505) 326-5584. Tips can remain anonymous.