Motorcycle ride in Arizona raises awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People

More than 200 riders traveled from Chandler to Scottsdale in Arizona during the fourth annual Thunderbird Throttle charity motorcycle ride to raise awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, according to FOX 10 Phoenix. The ride, organized by the Rez Riders Indian Motorcycle Club, is the only Native American-led event during Arizona Bike Week and ended at Casino Arizona in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

According to FOX 10 Phoenix, participants included members of the Rez Riders Indian Motorcycle Club, the Phoenix Indian Center and several nonprofits. The event featured live music, speakers and cultural performances focused on supporting families impacted by the crisis and raising awareness for Native youth in the foster system. Michael Tupponce, vice president of the Rez Riders Indian Motorcycle Club’s Arizona chapter, said the goal is to ensure missing Indigenous people receive the same recognition as others.