The California Assembly has taken a significant step towards addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people by designating May 2025 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Month. This resolution, Assembly Concurrent Resolution 39 (ACR 39), was presented by Assemblymember Ramos, who emphasized the urgent need for awareness and action regarding the staggering rates of violence faced by Native American communities.

During the Assembly Floor Session, Ramos highlighted alarming statistics, noting that 84.3% of Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime, with many cases going unreported or misclassified. He described the situation as a "state of emergency" within Indian country, calling for increased funding and policies that prioritize the voices of California's Indigenous peoples.

The resolution received strong support from various caucuses, including the LGBTQ Caucus and the Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus, which underscored the importance of solidarity among diverse communities in addressing this crisis. Assemblymember Patel pointed out the need for visibility and action, while Assemblymember Quirk Silva stressed the importance of treating cases of missing Indigenous women with the same urgency as those from other communities.

Assemblymember Robert Garcia reinforced the call for accountability, stating that the resolution is not merely symbolic but a commitment to justice for Indigenous communities. He noted that Native women face murder rates more than ten times the national average in some areas, and emphasized the need for better data collection and agency coordination.

The discussions also touched on the historical context of violence against Indigenous peoples, with Assemblymember Jackson reflecting on the long-standing allyship between African American and Native American communities in the fight against systemic injustices. Assemblymember Valencia echoed this sentiment, highlighting the ongoing crisis and the need for collective action to ensure that Indigenous lives are valued and protected.

As the Assembly concluded its discussions, Ramos expressed gratitude for the support shown by his colleagues and the Indigenous community members present. He called for continued efforts to bring awareness to these issues beyond just one month, urging the legislature to stand united with California's first peoples in the fight for justice and recognition.

The passage of ACR 39 marks a pivotal moment in California's legislative history, as it seeks to elevate the voices of Indigenous communities and address the urgent need for action against the violence they face. The resolution serves as a reminder of the work that lies ahead in ensuring safety, justice, and dignity for all Indigenous people in the state.