NAJA joins the National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the Asian American Journalists Association in condemning the arrests of CNN reporter Omar Jimenez and his camera crew on May 29. The crew was detained by the Minnesota State Patrol while covering protests against the killing of George Floyd by local law enforcement.
As minority journalist associations, born out of necessity to create true advancement toward equity in the vast, white-dominated media landscape, NAJA stands in solidarity with all journalists in denouncing security forces for their actions.
The Native American Journalists Association also joins the Minneapolis urban Native community in mourning the loss of the Migizi Center. The center burned down Friday morning, May 29, during fires related to protests.
Migizi is an essential part of the social fabric of Minneapolis and an invaluable urban Indian community center. Founded in 1977 as a non-profit, Native-led journalism program, Migizi trained Indigenous journalists with the aim of improving coverage and representation of Indigenous peoples in media which continues today.
NAJA offers its support to reporters and staff of Migizi Communications Inc., to meet any digital infrastructure and technical needs as the organization rebuilds. A fundraiser has been established by community organizers to help the rebuilding of the Migizi Center.