JUSTICE FOR MICHELLE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES TO HOLD LOCAL LAW ENFORECMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR NEGLECT AND REFUSAL TO PRIORITIZE CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5, 2011
Amanda Martin, AF3IRM National Coordinator
510-502-6522
natcoord@af3irm.org

JUSTICE FOR MICHELLE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES TO HOLD LOCAL LAW ENFORECMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR NEGLECT AND REFUSAL TO PRIORITIZE CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN
San Francisco Bay Area – Today the Association of Filipinas, Feminists Fighting Imperialism Re-feudalization, & Marginalization (AF3IRM) launches a new campaign and coalition focused on bringing justice to the case of Michelle Le, a 26 year old Vietnamese American woman from an immigrant family, who went missing on May 27, 2011, in Hayward.

“The Justice for Michelle Coalition has formed because of local law enforcement’s lack of timely response to Michelle disappearance,” states Lauren Funiestas, AF3IRM member and one of the lead campaign organizers. “The Hayward Police Department waited days to beginning their search and even now the Le Family must rely on private investigators, concerned neighbors, and missing persons groups to heighten the search for Michelle.

“Michelle’s case serves as a prime example of how law enforcement agencies de-prioritization and systematically neglect crimes against women,” says Katrina Socco, AF3IRM Bay Area Coordinator. The Justice for Michelle Coalition has formed on the belief that all crimes against women such as kidnapping, domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault deserve immediate attention and action by all levels of law enforcement.

The first five launching organizations joining AF3IRM's call are: the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, Justice for Oscar Grant Coalition, SFSU Beta Phi Sorority, SFSU/SJSU Zeta Chi Epsilon, and SFSU Kappa Psi Epsilon. The coalition’s three demands are:

1. The Hayward Police Department put legitimate resources towards Michelle’s case and coordinate with other local, state, and federal entities to bring Michelle home.
2. Local law enforcement agencies immediately respond to all kidnappings and other gendered crimes.
3. The California Highway Patrol broaden the Amber Alert system to include all young women over the age of 21.

Community supporters can find out more about the campaign by visiting http://af3irm.org/ and sign an online petition at http://www.change.org/petitions/hold-the-hayward-police-accountable-for-....

Those interested in joining the coalition should contact Katrina Socco, AF3IRM SF/Bay Area Coordinator, at sfbayarea@af3irm.org.
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