ABOUT US

If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong.
~ Abraham Lincoln

Few people in the developed nations have a grasp of the magnitude and scope of human trafficking. Fewer still take action.

We are an all volunteer grass-roots organization of regular folks like yourself. Most of us initially knew little about this subject, or else believed that incidents were few and far away. But when we learned the truth, we knew we had to try to do something about it. We used Meetup.com to come together seeking a course of action. Though diverse in our backgrounds, outlooks, and ages… we have become united in our outrage.

We wish to draw attention to human trafficking’s root causes:

  • A culture that accepts women as objects that can be bought and sold
  • The system driving the ready market for cheap labor and goods
  • Cyclical poverty that creates a pool of ready victims

The late, great Solomon Burke. Few have ever said it better…

Founded in December, 2008, we are still a fledgling group. This is a very exciting time to become involved as we are actively seeking new ideas and approaches as we continue to learn. Your participation will be highly valued. Additionally we are encouraged that the political climate has become somewhat more receptive, both locally and on the international stage, to addressing this debasing crime.

We are a broadly engaged group learning about all aspects of human trafficking. Most groups have a more restricted focus. Some for instance are singularly directed against child trafficking. Many concentrate on sex trafficking only, and some primarily on labor abuses. The focus of other groups may be directed according to geography or ethnicity. There are groups that are faith based, those that have a political agenda, and those that are simply humanitarian in outlook. Some groups concentrate on prevention through education and outreach. Some provide protection and resources for survivors who have been victimized. Prosecutions are the domain not only of governments, but also of advocate groups who press for new laws and work toward seeing them effectively implemented and funded.

Fight Slavery Now! believes that all of these approaches have merit and that all are necessary. We think that it is also important for some groups to be an umbrella for all of these issues which are part and parcel of the the same problem viewed through different lenses. With that goal in mind, it is especially important for us to reach out to others, both to offer support and to seek information based on their areas of expertise. When we attend events hosted by other groups, we strive to make personal contacts with their volunteers, to study their literature, listen to their message, and look for opportunities to collaborate.

Human trafficking is a global criminal enterprise. Former Secretary of State Clinton added ‘Partnerships’ to the recipe of ‘Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution’ in confronting this crime. We will continue to pursue partnerships as a matter of course, as well as encouraging our members to reach out on an individual basis. We hope to forge alliances with the many social justice groups tackling issues of labor abuse, violence against women, and all forms of illegal exploitation.

In this fashion we can help build a movement that is stronger than its separate parts. Working in concert, with your help, we believe we can end slavery in our time.

This group is about its members. Please share your thoughts and truly make this “About Us”.

If you wish to know more about individual members, you may see the profiles on our MEMBERS page.

Let’s Fight Slavery Now!

Our logo was designed by graphic artist Janna Passuntino. Out of darkness, into light! Notice that the corners of the fists break the outer circle, suggesting our group’s challenge, breaking through people’s ignorance and indifference about modern-day slavery.

<previous page ………. next page>

To join us in action and discussion, please visit
Meetup.com/Fight-Slavery-Now

TO REPORT AN INSTANCE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, DIAL 1-888-3737-888
OR CALL YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT/DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE!

7 Responses to “ABOUT US”

  1. Joseph Says:

    My name is Joseph, I am a recent addition to the New York City Area and I am eager to assist your organization in any way possible.

    I am a strong believer in human rights, and the need to raise awareness on human trafficking. I plan to become an anti-trafficking/human rights attorney once I finish law school. In the meantime I plan on volunteering at local organizations with common goals.

    With a career in law enforcement, I have had the opportunity to see some of the things that many cannot see. This involves government, as well has civilian acts against human rights and trafficking.

    If I can assist you in anyway, please do not hesitate to contact me directly by email.

    • fightslaverynow Says:

      Welcome to New York and to Fight Slavery Now! It would be great if you could attend one of our events to see what we do and share your insights. Keep an eye on our Calendar and we’ll look forward to meeting you.

  2. Dario Says:

    Hi,

    I’m half-Brazilian and I’ve just come across your website when doing research on slavery in Brazil.

    I’ve just launched a crowd-funding project to support a documentary on Slavery in Brazil. If you’re interested at all – whether for your blog or if you have any advice to share – you can have a look at it over here: http://www.indiegogo.com/slaveryinbrazil

    Dario

  3. Debbra Liverman Says:

    Slavery comes in many forms – living below the poverty line and more.

  4. Abhaya Srivastava Says:

    Hi, I work for an international news agency and I am based in India. Recently our team visited Jharkhand and we were shocked to see children picking mica in open cast mines in remote pockets. We were wondering if you would know which are the global cosmetic brands that are sourcing mica for their shimmer range from India’s mines.

    Thanks

  5. FightSlaveryNow! Says:

    Ugly truth behind global beauty industry: (http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/09/ugly-truth-india-global-beauty-industry-cosmetics-mica-201499101422805960.html)
    (excerpt)

    “About half of India’s export was destined for China, from where it was then routed to several European and US cosmetic giants…
    The report on the use of child labour in the cosmetics industry by DanWatch – an NGO that campaigns against the exploitation of workers – examined 16 companies behind 20 brands. Twelve cannot or will not disclose where they source the mica they use.

    German company Merck KGaA, which supplies mica to cosmetic brands around the world such as L’Oreal, admitted to sourcing the raw material from exporters in Jharkhand and Bihar. However, the company said that the minerals were extracted from legal mines.

    But research carried out by DanWatch suggests the contrary, pointing out that it was impossible to differentiate between mica extracted from legal and illegal mines. Local exporters have maintained that the number of legal mines has decreased drastically since the 90s.

    The intermediaries, however, will not name their foreign clients.”

Leave a comment