MOMA was created by Shafia M. Monroe, an African American midwife, in response to the killing and abusing of pregnant and postpartum women of color by the police. The most recent killing of a pregnant Black woman, was Charleena Lyles. Lyles was pregnant and it was known that she suffered from mental health problems. She was killed by two Seattle Police, while her four children were home. She was shot multiple times.
 
"Black women and girls make up 13 percent of the U.S. population yet account for 33 percent of all women killed by police, according to the African American Policy Forum."
 
Killing a pregnant woman is an atrocity, and MOMA has united, midwives, others and mothers, to bring awareness to this racial injustice, of police violence on pregnant women of color. MOMA wants to bring attention to the issue, and create policies to help police better interact with pregnant and postpartum women, to prevent killing.

Midwives, doulas, birth workers, mother, others and community members are arriving from as far as Lane county to participate in the press conference. This event will be lived streamed for national viewing.  Download Full Press Release