'I demand action': Pressure builds to create Black missing & murdered legislative task force

 

MADISON Wis. (CBS 58) -- There were emotional pleas to lawmakers at the state Capitol Thursday over a bipartisan bill that focuses on murdered and missing women and girls.

Activities, community members, and families of victims called on the Senate to take up legislation that would create a task force to study some of the root causes of violence against Black women and girls.

The bill passed the Assembly with bipartisan support in February but has yet to receive a vote in the Senate. 

The proposal would require Attorney General Josh Kaul to establish a committee that would consist of lawmakers, law enforcement officials, a county coroner and advocacy groups.

They would be tasked with examining the "the systemic causes behind violence that African American women and girls experience, including patterns and underlying factors that explain why disproportionately high levels of violence against them," according to the bill.

"The task force is vital to address the epidemic of missing persons and ensure families receive the support they desperately need," said Tanesha Howard of Milwaukee whose daughter Joniah Walker went missing in June 2022.

"I was told that they couldn't make Joniah a priority because they hundreds of missing cases in Milwaukee."

Sen. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville), who referred the bill to another committee after weeks of opposition, said he believes the DOJ is better equipped to create the task force and can do so without legislative approval.

"Attorney General Kaul has previously created a similar task force for missing and murdered indigenous women," Stroebel said in a statement. "He could do the same for missing and murdered African American women and girls right now with the stroke of a pen."

Stroebel sent Kaul a letter encouraging him to use his authority to create the task force the same day activists demanded the Senate take up the bill.

Creating the task force would require funding and the proposal does not allocate any resources to the DOJ.

Rep. Shelia Stubbs, the Democratic lead sponsor of the proposal, said she's had conversations with Kaul about this and was told "funding" is an issue.

"I can say to you from many conversations, funding is an issue and at this point I don't care that funding is an issue," Stubb said. "I want something done now."

Gillian Drummond, a spokeswoman for Kaul, said they are working to come up with a solution.

"Wisconsin DOJ agrees that action is needed to address this important issue," Drummond said. "We are committed to continuing to have discussions about obtaining adequate resources for a task force to be successful in identifying solutions and serving as a catalyst for change."

The likelihood of the task force being approved by lawmakers is slim. GOP leaders have said they don't have plans to come back into session for the rest of the year.

"I demand action not just words," said Dr. Erika Brown, Director of Sade Robinson Voice Foundation Nonprofit.

Robinson, of Milwaukee, was reported missing on April 2, 2024. Her family and law enforcement continue to search for her remains. Maxwell Anderson, 33, is accused of killing and dismembering Robinson after a first date.

"As we gather here today, we reflect on the composition and purpose of the task force," Brown said. "It will play a vital role in studying the root causes of violence of women or color, track data and implement measure to address and prevent these crimes against our people."