A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO DECLARE MAY 5, 2025, AS "MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN RED DRESS DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA TO HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN LOST, THOSE WHO ARE STILL MISSING, AND THE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES WHO CONTINUE TO SEEK JUSTICE.

 

Whereas, the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S) is a national emergency, deeply affecting Native American communities across the United States, including in the State of South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, Indigenous women face some of the highest rates of violence, abduction, and murder, with cases too often going unsolved or underinvestigated due to systemic barriers, jurisdictional confusion, and a lack of public awareness; and

 

Whereas, May 5 has been recognized across North America as MMIW Red Dress Day, a day to honor and remember the lives lost to violence, to raise awareness of the MMIW crisis, and to advocate for justice, prevention, and healing; and

 

Whereas, the red dress has become a national symbol of the thousands of Indigenous women who are missing or murdered, and a visual call to action for communities, governments, and allies to confront this crisis; and

 

Whereas, citizens across South Carolina-Indigenous and non-Indigenous-are called to stand together as one, wearing red, displaying red dresses, and participating in remembrance events on May 5 to show solidarity, elevate awareness, and support affected families; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate stands united with all federal tribe, state-recognized tribes, tribal citizens, and Indigenous peoples residing in the great State of South Carolina in a shared commitment to bring visibility to the MMIW crisis, to end human trafficking, and to work collaboratively toward justice and healing; and

 

Whereas, this resolution marks the first formal recognition of MMIW Red Dress Day by the South Carolina Senate, signifying an historic step toward truth, solidarity, and meaningful action in the fight for Indigenous rights and protections; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate pledges to work with all Tribal Nations, advocates, state agencies, the Office of Attorney General, along with solicitors' offices in human trafficking task force and community members to support initiatives addressing MMIW, human trafficking, and systemic injustice affecting Indigenous women and girls. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, declare May 5, 2025, as "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Red Dress Day" in South Carolina to honor those who have been lost, those who are still missing, and the families and communities who continue to seek justice.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to each of South Carolina's federal tribes, state-recognized tribes, tribal entities, the Governor, and the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs.

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