US activists slam high rate of missing and murdered Indigenous women

Native Americans have staged a rally in the US city of Los Angeles to protest the high rate of missing and murdered indigenous women.

Activists connected with the American Indian Movement (AIM) of Southern California gathered outside the city hall on Saturday, but were not allowed into the building.

“We are here to protest against missing Indigenous women. They are the most raped, the most missing women in the whole world,” said one of the activists. “We are at the City Hall. They shut us out. They don’t want to hear us.”

The protesters also condemned industries that make life difficult for Native Americans.

Over 84 percent of American Indian women experience violence in their lifetime, according to Department of Justice statistics. The risks include sexual and physical violence, psychological abuse and stalking.

Though available data is limited, the high number of missing and murdered American Indian and Alaska Native women and the lack of an adequate federal response has alarmed indigenous communities in the US.

During her recent visit to the US, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women Rashida Manjoo criticized Washington for its continued failure to prosecute perpetrators of sexual violence crimes against Native American and Alaska Native women and girls.

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