“What others are saying” about the Ebony Alert becoming law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 11, 2023

“What others are saying”

about the Ebony Alert becoming law
 

New California law will help locate missing Black youth and women

SACRAMENTO – California will become the first state in the nation to enact a law to combat the crisis of missing Black youth and young Black women by creating an “Ebony Alert” notification system. SB 673, the Ebony Alert, authored by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), will give law enforcement another tool to utilize and raise greater public awareness.

Unlike the Amber Alert which can only be used for children younger than age 18, the Ebony Alert is broader and can be used to help locate young people between the ages of 12 and 25, including those that are considered runaways and those that are subject to human trafficking..

African Americans make up 13% of the U.S. population.  However, Black children make up about 38% of all missing child cases but they receive less media attention. In addition, missing young Black women are often subjected to human trafficking. A Congressional Black Caucus Foundation report on human trafficking also found 40% of sex trafficking victims nationally were identified as Black women.

Here’s what leaders and advocates are saying about the Ebony Alert becoming law in California:

“As we reflect on the signing of SB 673 (Bradford) by Gov. Newsom, let me be abundantly clear; Black children are disproportionately classified as ‘runaways’ in comparison to other ethnicities who are classified as ‘missing’. We thank Senator Bradford for his work in helping equalize the importance of Black women and children and Governor Newsom for signing this crucial bill. It is our sincerest hope that this law can help to bring equity to those who deserve to be protected, while serving as a starting point to mitigate racial inequity across the country. As California goes, so goes the nation.”

- Rick L. Callender, President, NAACP California Hawaii State Conference
 

"Congratulations Senator Bradford! We are so proud of you for championing the Ebony Alert and grateful for the opportunity to partner with you and a strong statewide coalition to get SB673 signed into law. Many States will follow your historic lead in California from this monumental victory we secured for Black youth and women to be seen, responded to, and protected!  The data from the Oakland Police Department is deeply disturbing. In Oakland, Black people make up 22% of the city’s population yet account for about 60% of reported missing persons cases.  My hope is that the passing of the Ebony Alert will support our efforts in the City of Oakland to resolve and reduce the increasingly disproportionate number of reported missing person cases that have impacted our Black community.”

- Treva Reid, Oakland City Councilmember, District 7

“I am ecstatic at the news of the passing of The Ebony Act. My immense gratitude to Governor Newsom for signing the bill and to Senator Bradford and the countless others who worked tirelessly to see this act passed. Time is of the essence when people go missing, and now the dissemination of accurate and timely information through the Ebony Act will ensure Black youth do not continue to slip through the cracks. This is an act that will undoubtedly contribute to the saving of lives.”

- Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Creator/Executive Producer of “Found,” “All American: Homecoming” and Executive Producer for “All American”

"California ranks in the top states where people of color are disappearing at an alarming rate. Sadly, many of our cases are under the radar, like Arianna Fitts of San Francisco, who has been missing for seven years after her mom was found murdered. We must change this statistic. Senator Steven Bradford’s Ebony Alert legislation, which has now been signed by Governor Gavin Newsom is a step in the right direction and we hope it would encourage other legislators across the country to follow suit. It is important to continue to raise awareness about this issue and advocate for policies that prioritize finding missing people of color. We must ensure that every missing person is given the same amount of attention and resources, regardless of their race or socioeconomic status. Let us work together to bring justice and peace to families who are searching for their loved ones."

- Black and Missing Foundation

"My organization, Voice of the Youth, and many others have been outspoken advocates for finding missing Black girls and women nationwide. The challenges we have faced in our efforts to do so will now be addressed with the new Ebony Alert law. Through an elevated sense of urgency and accountability from the appropriate agencies, media attention, and public awareness, we have a better chance of locating all missing individuals. We are thankful for the leadership and advocacy of Senator Bradford around missing Black girls and women and for inviting us into the conversation. The Ebony Alert will be a game changer for our communities and a necessary tool to bring missing Black girls and women home."

- Berry Accius, Founder/CEO, Voice of the Youth

The Ebony Alert was sponsored by the NAACP California Hawaii State Conference.

With the Governor’s signature on October 8, the Ebony Alert will become law on January 1, 2024.

###

Senator Bradford is Vice Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications, and represents the Los Angeles County communities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor City, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, San Pedro, Torrance, Watts, Willowbrook, and Wilmington.