What Can We Do About Human Trafficking and Supply Chains?
Dear Friends,
Fall is in the air and the crispness of the weather sends us scurrying out to buy warm new clothes and tasty produce. But how many of us pause to wonder how those lovely sweaters made it to our favorite shops or what went into delivering food to the corner market?
This month, ArtWorks for Freedom is focusing on the theme of human trafficking and supply chains in order to encourage a better understanding of the issue and, more importantly, to empower you to make a difference.
This summer, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward Markey (D-MA) introduced the Business Supply Chain Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act of 2015 (S.1968), a companion to H.R. 3226, championed by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). This new legislation, modeled after California's Transparency in the Supply Chain Act would require public companies with annual worldwide receipts above $100 million to disclose the measures they are taking to identify and address conditions of forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking and the worst forms of child labor within a company’s supply chains. It's an important step in gaining the support of the business community to combat human trafficking. I'll be talking more about what this means in our next blog.
But business can't bring about change without you! Below, we're giving you four things you can do IN ONE HOUR to learn about human trafficking in supply chains. And we'll keep the conversation going all month long on our blog, Twitter and Facebook.
While we're doing that, we'll also be gearing up for our upcoming awareness campaign "Freedom Expressions ATL" taking place in Atlanta, November 4 - 30 in partnership with the International Human Trafficking Institute. If you're in the area, please join us over the 3-week campaign and bring your friends!
Don't forget, we're always looking for ways to get YOU involved in the anti-trafficking movement. Got a suggestion for our blog or want to see ArtWorks in your city? Let us know how we can help.
SHARE, these resources and others with your friends on social media to raise the consciousness of those around you.
This is just a start--one hour's worth of actions--that will hopefully instill in you a deeper passion for combating human trafficking and affecting supply chains worldwide.
COMING SOON: Freedom Expressions ATL
Freedom Expressions ATL, November 4 - 30, 2015
ArtWorks for Freedom is partnering with the International Human Trafficking Institute to present "Freedom Expressions ATL," a human trafficking awareness campaign that will run from November 4 – November 30. Over the course of 3 weeks, national and local artists will present photography, paintings, films and conceptual art that convey the complexities of human trafficking and moving audiences to take action against the crime in their communities.
Stay tuned for event details!
RECAP: Ghost Slavery: Art Against Human Trafficking
A month of visual art, film screenings and an open-mic performance attracted hundreds of visitors and artists who came together to discuss and reflect on human trafficking, particularly it's impact on the local Atlanta Metro Region.
We thank our partners at the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs and the International Human Trafficking Institute for the successful event!
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Ending human trafficking requires contributions from a variety of people, including everyday citizens who care about worldwide human rights. It is sometimes difficult, however, to know exactly how to get involved, especially if you’re not an expert on the issue. FAY GRANT and MICHELLE FERGASON, founders of The Tote Project, created a business model that allows them to merge their artistic talents, with their dedication to raising awareness about sex trafficking and commitment to helping survivors thrive.
Can small acts make a difference in the fight against human trafficking? KENDIS PARIS, executive director and co-founder of the U.S.-based nonprofit Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), thinks so. Currently an Ashoka U.S. fellow for her leadership in the anti-trafficking movement, Kendis co-founded TAT as a way to empower members of the truck driving industry to make a difference in stopping modern-day slavery, specifically sex-trafficking.
It isn’t easy to make human trafficking your focus every day. SARAH JAKIEL, Chief Program Officer of Polaris Project, has done so for 10 years and knows what it takes to stay motivated in the field. Read our Freedom Q&A with Sarah to learn why she started anti-trafficking work, and how she stays encouraged to continue the fight.
SOPHIE OTIENDE and GRACE MWENDE are two activists working with HAART Kenya - an organization dedicated ending modern slavery in Kenya and East Africa - through their Arts to End Slavery program. Read our Freedom Q&A with Sophie and Grace about the power of art in raising human trafficking awareness, and how their country inspires their activism.
News & Events From Around Our Community
MUSIC RELEASE
ArtWorks contributing artist DJ Spooky released a new album entitled Rebirth of a Nation. Conceived as a remix and re-imagination of director D.W. Griffith’s infamously racist 1915 silent film "The Birth of a Nation," Rebirth of a Nation, recorded with Kronos Quartet, is a controversial and culturally significant project that examines how “…exploitation and political corruption still haunt the world to this day, but in radically different forms.”
The Kennedy Center, Terrace Theater
2700 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20566
7:00 PM
OCTOBER 24 - ART INSTALLATION & FILM SCREENING IN HOUSTON
ArtWorks contributing artist Molly Gochman will co-host a free outdoor film screening and audience participation in the Red Sand Project, where the public is invited to fill sidewalk cracks with red sand to recognize marginalized populations often subject to human trafficking. Contact Dara Lehon for more information.
Are you a writer or digital content creator looking for a way to help end human trafficking? We’re looking for volunteer bloggers to share local stories of anti-trafficking work. This is a great opportunity for students, freelancers and blogging enthusiasts! Email our blog editor Courtney McSwain for more details.
Dear Friends,
