Hundreds gather for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women rally in Bemidji

May 07, 20210

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Simone Senogles, second from right, and others sing during a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women's rally held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at Paul Bunyan Park. May 5 was also the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. (Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer)

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Participants hold up signs during a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women's rally on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Paul Bunyan Park. (Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer)

BEMIDJI, Minn. - Hundreds of people gathered from all around the country - with some from as far away as California - by the Lake Bemidji waterfront on Wednesday for a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women rally to show support for families affected by these all-too-frequent tragedies.

Attendees were primarily dressed in red and held signs with messages like, "No more stolen sisters," "Protect all that is sacred," and "We are all related." Some held cardboard cutouts of red dresses, many others also held up poster boards with pictures of missing or murdered loved ones on them. Some had red handprints, a symbol of MMIW, painted over their mouths and cheeks.

The annual gathering is meant to bring attention to the disproportionate amount of violence that is perpetrated against Indigenous women.

https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/community/people/7017235-Hundreds-gather-for-Missing-and-Murdered-Indigenous-Women-rally-in-Bemidji