February 27th is Shine a Light on Slavery Day.
Here we are again, another February 27th and there are still people who don’t know that slavery still exists.
Tons of new organizations springing up, commercials, documentaries, heart – breaking videos, celebrities raising awareness and prayer movements… is it really possible that people don’t know?
How much more light do we have to shine on this terrible issue until people finally wake up?
With an estimated of 27 million human beings still enslaved – we have to shine brighter than ever!!!
Ergo, End It Movement‘s Shine a Light on Slavery Day.
On February 27th, people will draw a red X on their hands and post pictures of it on social media with the #enditmovement hashtag. They will wear hats with red X’s, t-shirts with red X’s, bracelets and whristbands with red X´s and much more. Online profiles will be plastered with red X´s and the #enditmovement hashtag.
People will ask questions, and those with the red X will tell them that there are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in human history, with an estimated 27 million in bondage across the globe. Men, women, and children are being exploited for manual and sexual labor against their will (some sources report the numbers went up to 29.8 million, which would be even worse), and that they will STAND UP against it.
While a red X doesn’t change the facts, it raises awareness and maybe some red X´s inspire others to investigate and get involved.
Raising awareness will not end slavery but it´s the first step – awareness must lead to action!
If you want to join thousands of freedom fighters worldwide, simply draw a red X on your hand on February 27th and share your picture on your social media, ask your family and friends to do the same – go viral.
Until a large number of people know it’s a huge issue, nothing can be done. People need to stand up and say NO MORE!
It´s really easy to show the world that you are IN IT TO END IT but our work isn´t done with a simple red X!!
A problem won´t dissapear just because everybody knows about it, you don´t have to be a genius to figure that out. There will still be work on February 28th, but what can we do once the red X on our hands is gone?
First of all, if you aren´t aware of all the sad facts about modern day slavery, i recommend you to read my article about it.
Now that you know it, what will you do to end it?
I can tell you one thing for sure – you can´t force anyone to care. You can send them all the information neccessary, but you can´t expect them to feel the need to do something like you do. Not that i haven´t tried.. my friends and I even set up twitter trends to spread the word.
But the human mind is a mystery that sometimes leads us to the right path:
People who know but don’t really care will often learn to care when they realize how many people around them care. Sometimes an evil seems to be too big for us to make an impact and we think that our actions can´t make a difference. That´s why it´s so important to encourage others to join the fight in showing them what one single person CAN do
.
Simply put, GET INVOLVED!
By supporting the work of an End It coalition partner, anyone can become a modern day abolitionist. We can promote social justice for the most vulnerable among us. We’re all horrified, but the good news is, we don’t have to stop there. We can do something.
Today’s slaves have even less choices than you or I do, and if we cannot get a grip on the causes behind these issues it is only going to get worse, not better.
About END IT Movement:
END IT is a coalition of sixteen non-profit organizations aimed to shine a light on slavery and show the world that the practice still exists. Its members include A21Campaign, Free the Slaves, Made in A Free World, Love146, International Justice Mission (IJM), Not For Sale, Polaris Project, World Vision Acts, World Relief, Ecpat USA, The Salvation Army, HAGAR, Hope For Justice, The Exodus Road, As Our Own and Bombay Teen Challenge all of which are working around the globe to rescue, restore and prevent human trafficking. For more information about these partners, visit www.enditmovement.com.
Check their websites and learn how to get involved. Ask yourself “How much am i willing to give? Time? Money?” and find your way to use your skills for freedom.
Donate!
Every amount, no matter how small, can make a difference! Donate either directly through the EndItMovement homepage or through my personal fundraiser on CrowdRise, benefiting The A21 Campaign
https://www.crowdrise.com/10kForEndItMovementChallenge/fundraiser/nadinebiewer
But what if you actually saw a case of human trafficking?
While the victims may sometimes be kept behind locked doors, they are often hidden right in front of us at, for example, construction sites, restaurants, elder care centers, nail salons, massage studios (Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, i´m talking about “Happy Endings”) agricultural fields, hotels and motels. Victims are often too scared to reach out for help – threats of deportation and harm to the victim or their family members are usual tactics.
Here are some key red flags that could alert you to a potential trafficking situation that should be reported:
- Living with employer
- Poor living conditions
- Multiple people in cramped space
- Inability to speak to individual alone
- Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed
- Employer is holding identity documents
- Signs of physical abuse
- Submissive or fearful
- Unpaid or paid very little
- Under 18 and in prostitution
If you think you discovered a trafficking situation, please don´t play the hero, you can put yourself in great danger!!
Call 911 or 1-888-3737-888 – the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, they will know what to do.
We can be the generation that ends slavery once and for all!
Compassion and Kindness are free! 