Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs was joined by Tribal leaders, including CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores, the MMIP Task Force, representatives from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the family of Emily Pike for a ceremonial bill signing for HB 2281 (“Emily’s Law”).
This law codifies a new Turquoise Alert which helps law enforcement respond more quickly when Indigenous persons are reported missing.
The Law also honors the memory of slain San Carlos Apache teen Emily Pike, whose body was found Feb. 14 more than 100 miles from a group home she left in Mesa, Arizona, in late January.
After the signing ceremony Charwoman Flores said, “It’s very important to Tribal Nations, especially in Arizona. The Governor signing this bill gives law enforcement a quicker response to find missing and murdered individuals.”
The tragedy of Pike’s death was felt by Tribal communities including CRIT.
During CRIT’s Mega Throw event on March 22nd, a candlelight vigil was held on site to honor Emily Pike. On May 3rd CRIT youth including Junior Miss CRIT along with Little Miss CRIT attended an event at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). Additionally, CRIT Tribal Member Tonia Stone provided her survivor story at the event.
