California passes controversial "Ebony Alert" system to aid searches for missing Black youth

California passed a law establishing an "Ebony Alert" notification system specifically for missing Black children and young adults aged 12-25.
Advocates say Black youth are often overlooked in missing persons cases and classified as runaways, preventing Amber Alert activation.
The Ebony Alert aims to address disparities in media coverage and police resources for missing Black individuals.
Critics argue the racially separate system could delay responses and question if it leads to alerts for other groups.
As of October 12, 2023, the law has sparked backlash online as well as support for its focus on missing Black youth.