Senator Rosalind Osgood (D-Tamarac) and Representative Felicia Robinson (D-Miami Dade) are proud to announce the introduction of groundbreaking legislation aimed at addressing the issue of missing and murdered African American women.
Recent data from the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) has revealed a drastic discrepancy. Out of the total 123,869 missing women in Florida from January 1, 2018, to October 17, 2023, a striking 44% were African-American, a group that constitutes just 15.1% of the state’s population. This stark contrast highlights pressing concerns and the necessity for specific and focused interventions.
The proposed legislation, SB 354/HB 325, will create a task force whose sole purpose is to find the missing and murdered African-American women within the state of Florida. SB 354/HB 325 is a crucial step towards rectifying this inequality and upholding the principle that every life, regardless of race, deserves equal protection and attention under the law.
“The urgency of finding missing African American women demands a dedicated task force. The disproportionately high numbers of missing persons and the systemic issues that contribute to these disparities call for specialized attention,” said Senator Osgood regarding the bill. “We must stand firm in our commitment to justice, equality, and the safety of all individuals.”
“Investigating the disproportionate trends of missing and murdered African-American women is not just a matter of justice; it’s a matter of fulfilling our society’s commitment to equality and protection,” stated Representative Robinson. “To turn a blind eye to these injustices is to undermine the very principles upon which our society is built.”
