Something strange is happening at the nation’s capital. There’s been a perceived influx of Black and Latina girls that have gone missing in Washington, D.C.
While D.C.’s Mayor Muriel Bowser has maintained that there hasn’t been a surge in missing children, she acknowledges that it has been an issue for the district and neighboring cities for a long time. The police department has just been using social media more to get the word out with hopes of bringing the missing children home faster, Fox 5 DC reports.
Missing Person: Anjel Burl, 16, last seen 3/22 in 200 block of 43rd Rd., NE. Seen her? Call 202-727-9099. #MissingPersonpic.twitter.com/1KrT8TPeQi
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) March 24, 2017
Critical Missing: Demetria Carthens, 17, last seen 2/7 in 200 block of I St, SE. Last seen wearing thin blue coat, black jeans and boots. pic.twitter.com/L812Fm5JxO
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) March 23, 2017
Missing Person: Katherine Hunter, 17, last seen 3/21/17 in 100 block of Mississippi Ave, SE. Seen her? Call 202-727-9099. pic.twitter.com/pSPU8XKzPt
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) March 22, 2017
Nevertheless, people are campaigning to bring light to the more than 10 girls that have gone missing within the past week, utilizing the hashtag #MissingDCGirls. Black and Latina girls who are reported as missing are normally quick to be filed as runaways, so they do not get an Amber Alert and rarely any media coverage. There are currently 38 open cases, according to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.
Hundreds packed Excel Academy Public Charter School in Southeast D.C. for a town hall-style meeting on Wednesday (March 22) begging for answers.
Many are theorizing that the missing girls could be possibly connected to a human trafficking ring or an even equally sinister problem that has silently plagued the Black American community: organ harvesting.
Mayor Bowser and Acting Chief of Police Peter Newsham assure that these cases have nothing to do with human trafficking.
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However, comedian D.L. Hughley poised an even more poignant question for authorities this week: You can find Tom Brady’s missing jersey but not these missing girls from the nation’s capital?
“If only all those black and brown teenage girls reported missing in DC had jerseys on!” he tweeted.
Damn they found #TomBradys missing super bowl Jersey? If only all those black and brown teenage girls reported missing in DC had jerseys on!
— DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) March 20, 2017
Black lawmakers have called on the FBI to help police investigate. In a letter sent to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Director James Comey, they’ve asked them to “devote the resources necessary to determine whether these developments are an anomaly or whether they are indicative of an underlying trend that must be addressed,” the AP reports.
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The Metropolitan Police Department asks if anyone has information about the missing girls to please contact them at (202) 727-9099 or text the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.
We want our youth to know help is available for them. It's so important to #talkdontrun so we can get you the help you need. Call 800RUNAWAY pic.twitter.com/3ePzLtfUJT
— MurielBowser (@MurielBowser) March 24, 2017
In an act of unification, many in the Hip Hop community have diligently used their platforms to shed light on this horrific crisis including DMV native Wale as well as Nicki Minaj, LL Cool J, Trey Songz, Metro Boomin, Busta Rhymes and A$AP Ferg among others.
It's truly sad what's happening with our children in DC ..
— Wale (@Wale) March 22, 2017
@POTUS@realDonaldTrump This has to be solved. Show the American people you care. #missingDCgirls
— LLCOOLJ. (@llcoolj) March 24, 2017
Black and Latino girls missing from the nations capitol. Nothing from our news outlets @CNN@FoxNews@USATODAYhttps://t.co/y8qI5b9b87
— Trey Songz (@TreySongz) March 23, 2017
Praying for these kids and there family's in d.c and around the world.
We gotta be more safe. Protect our kids. There the future— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) March 24, 2017
For all who are not aware and for all who care… pic.twitter.com/zXjQhQCfbC
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) March 24, 2017
praying.. #findourgirls ?? pic.twitter.com/LDkqQeGPN4
— Metro Boomin (@MetroBoomin) March 24, 2017
Missing children break my heart . Somebody's daughter , sister , homegirl really jus never came home . But she's OUT THERE #findkennedi
— SZA (@sza) March 12, 2017
Sex trafficking/slavery is pervasive in the U.S. and world. Don't label our #missingDCgirls as runaways and not search. #FindOurGirlspic.twitter.com/NtV5RdsMfE
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) March 24, 2017
#Missingdcgirls & many similar stories have been ignored for far too long. From human trafficking to runaways, one missing girl is too many.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) March 24, 2017