So you think slavery is a thing of the past? Look down at your new kicks and trace their supply chain back to an 11-year-old boy in a southeast Asian sweatshop. Catch a glimpse of the working girl at a local strip joint and consider the possible sexual abuse or trafficking in her past. Modern day slavery is a tangible part of our lives, yet is a harsh reality that many fail to grasp.
End It Movement, a student organizationat the University of Georgia, is striving to raise awareness and make a difference in the fight against modern day slavery. Students at UGA can participate in this fight for freedom to see slavery end in their generation.
“Together we can make a really loud voice in the fight for freedom,” said Trevor Bramblett, founding member of End It Movement at UGA.
Today 27 million people are still shackled by bondage, forced labor and various forms of human trafficking. Sixty thousand of those individuals reside in the United States. End it at UGA plans to make a difference in these figures.
End It Movement at UGA will be participating in the national Shine a Light on Slavery Day, Feb 25. Through this day of awareness, End It hopes to accelerate the wheels of the machine fighting against modern day slavery.
On this day, End It will present a colossal impact on campus and in Athens. In Tate Plaza, End It has a photo booth, where students can take pictures to post photos about the End It movement on social media. End It encourages students to mark a red ‘x’ on their hand signifying that “they’re in it to end it” and posting a picture on social media. The premise of this day of recognition is to raise awareness on social media using the tags #enditmovementatuga and #ugainittoendit.
“This is not going to be another awkward handout or encounter,” Bramblett said. “It’s an engaging chance for people to take a photo, put a red ‘x’ on their hand. It’s important for us to not be like every organization, because we’re not an organization, we’re a movement.”
In addition, the Student Government Association, African Student Union, Indian Cultural Exchange and up to 15 other student organizations have signed on for this day of awareness. SGA is partnering to have chalkboards at every freshman dorm for students to sign saying that they’re in it to end modern day slavery.
Further, 15 out of 17 sororities at UGA are putting banners outside their house for the End It Shine a Light on Slavery Day.
“There comes a point when you realize that you’re talking about people with real lives, real slavery and eventually it wears your heart down and you realize you have to do something,” Bramblett said. “We’ve just started small with what’s in our hands. We can’t all be on the ground, rescuing people, but we are here at UGA and have a voice and can leverage that for freedom.”
Let's Shine A Light On Slavery. Join us on 2.25.16! ❌#enditmovement pic.twitter.com/9cGbPFeVEN
— END IT Movement (@enditmovement) February 20, 2016
To perpetuate the willing spirit of the student body and encourage involvement beyond the Shine a Light on Slavery Day, End It Movement is directing students toward other organizations like International Justice Mission (IJM), Breaking the Shackles (BTS) and the Bethany Project that actively fight against the injustice of modern day slavery.
“When I found out about this issue, I had a heart for it,” Amanda Delaperriere, co-president of IJM, said. “I realized it’s something a lot of people don’t hear about. This is a huge issue in the United States as well as globally.”
IJM is one of the many student organizations dedicated to fighting this issue. While this organization does have a presence at UGA, it’s roots are found in Washington D.C. IJM goal is to reform corrupt justice systems around the world.
Locally, IJM is dedicated to awareness about human trafficking in Athens and donates its funds to IJM international headquarters in Washington D.C. Money raised by IJM at UGA is used to hire lawyers, investigators and therapists that rescue victims of slavery.
IJM and a variety of student organizations have pledged their resources to aid End It Movement in the fight against slavery. They will be present with the members of End It in Tate Plaza answering questions students have about this fight and how they can get involved.
“There’s a spectrum of real estate of what we can do as an organization. Some rescue people, but our goal is to solely raise awareness,” said Bramblett. “We’re going to lift up the banner of freedom, together.”
The movement is gaining traction. In October 2015, End It signed a joint resolution with the Student Government Association, which make End It an official partner of SGA. A joint committee of members from SGA now meets biannually with End It.
“This would be a great program for SGA to get involved in,” Jacob Fucetola, Terry College Senator and President Pro-tempore for SGA said. “Its’ a worthy cause and something we saw fit to get behind.”
The impact of UGA’s efforts fighting modern day slavery could create monumental change.
“Behind everything we do is unity,” said Bramblett. “That’s why the movement is so diverse, because it transcends all boundaries.”
