Valentine's Vigil to be Held for Nicole Joe, Diné Woman Murdered on Christmas
Contact: Sarafina Joe
Email: sarafinajoe@gmail.comCensored News
Flagstaff Valentine's Vigil to be Held for Nicole Joe,
Diné Woman Murdered on Christmas
Diné Woman Murdered on Christmas
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A candle light vigil will be held on Valentine's Day, Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 5:00pm at Heritage Square in downtown Flagstaff for Nicole Joe. Nicole was murdered by her ex-boyfriend on Christmas Day, though her killer severely beat and left her outside for hours, he has only been charged with aggravated assault.
"She meant the word to me and her two children, everyone is devastated," stated Sarafina Joe, Nicole's sister, "The community must be aware of our sisters being ignored, our unsheltered relatives are being mistreated and they need to be heard, my sister dealt with that. In my eyes my sister is a survivor, she kept trying to turn her life around and he took that. I want justice for her, I feel like my sister is guiding me through this."
Nicole's family members and community supporters will speak at the vigil to raise awareness about the international movement for justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women.
In it's Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women, the U.S Department of Justice has reported that Indigenous women face murder rates more than 10 times the national average, that they are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual assault crimes compared to all other races, and one in three Indigenous women reports having been raped during her lifetime.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Homicide, murder is the 3rd leading cause of death among 10-24 years of age and the fifth leasing cause of death for American Indian and Alaska Native women between 25 and 34 years of age.
A 2010 Department of Justice study found that of over 2,000 women surveyed, 84 percent of Native American and Alaskan Native women have experienced violence, 56 percent have experienced sexual violence, and over 90 percent have experienced violence at the hands of a non-tribal member. (https://www.ncjrs.gov/
What: Candle light vigil for Nicole Joe.
Unveiling of massive "red dress" banner in memory and support of all missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Participants are encouraged to dress for rain, bring their own candles, and wear red.
Who: Speakers will include Nicole Joe's family and community supporters.
Why: Nicole Joe's murderer has merely been charged with aggravated assault. We call on the community to support and stand up for all missing and murdered Indigenous women.
When: Valentine's Day, Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 5:00pm.
Where: Heritage Square, located in downtown Flagstaff, Arizona
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