Trump signs proclamation in Arizona against Native American violence
May 5, 2020, 1:11 PM | Updated: 2:45 pm
President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, May 5, 2020, before boarding Marine One for a short trip to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and then on to Phoenix, Ariz. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
PHOENIX — President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Tuesday in Arizona that aims to bring awareness to ongoing violence in Native American communities.
The proclamation declared Tuesday as Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day, according to documents obtained by KTAR News 92.3 FM.
Trump visited Arizona on Tuesday to tour Phoenix’s Honeywell facility, his first major trip since the spread of coronavirus became a national crisis.
“I call upon all Americans and all federal, state, tribal and local governments to increase awareness of the crisis of missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives through appropriate programs and activities,” Trump said in the proclamation.
The proclamation comes six months after Trump signed an executive order creating Operation Lady Justice, a task force designed to combat the issue.
The task force focuses on slowing domestic violence, homicide, sexual assault and abuse in communities.
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Women and children are especially targeted in Native American communities, Trump said in the proclamation.
One study showed that Native American women in certain tribal communities are 10 times more likely to be murdered than the average American, according to a press release.
“We will not waver in our mission to bring healing, justice, hope and restoration to our American Indian and Alaska Native communities,” Trump said.
