SAnta Fe, NM – A bill that would create a “turquoise” security alert system for the missing Amerindians to New Mexico was approved by the legislature.
A vote by the State Senate without opposition sent the quick response initiative to the governor of New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday, who supports the proposal.
The bill responds to a disturbing number of disappearances and murders in the Indian country – and would allow the police to quickly share information on the Amerindians who disappear.
The “Turquoise Alert” system – taking its name from the blue -green mineral – would work a bit like the existing “amber” and “money” alerts that highlight the disappearance of children and the elderly. Mobile phone alerts would be issued when the police find evidence of an imminent danger in the disappearance of an Amerindian.
“I carry with me countless stories about how our system has not responded to the disappearance or murder of self-Autochton in our state,” said Senator of the Democratic State Angel Charley of Aoma Pueblo, co-sponsor of the bill. “We answered the call.”
California, Washington and Colorado have similar alert systems, according to the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department. Arizona legislators are considering their own alert system while the brutal death of the teenager of San Carlos Apache, Emily Pike, has repercussions through the Amerindian communities.
The New Mexico has 23 tribes recognized by the federal government, including large parts of the Navajo nation, as well as the land funds of Fort Sill Apache.
The security and the concerns of these communities were in an obviousness during a legislative session of 60 days which ends on Saturday at noon.
A bill signed Wednesday by Lujan Grisham guarantees that students can bring their own Amerindian insignia to the delivery of diplomas and other school ceremonies in the spirit of free expression linked to cultural heritage.
