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Walk brings awareness to human trafficking

McVeytown church sponsors Walk for Freedom event

McVEYTOWN — There are more slaves in today’s culture than ever in history and members of one local church are looking to raise awareness.

McVeytown Presbyterian Church is sponsoring a local Walk for Freedom, an international fundraising and awareness event to rally communities to take a stance against human trafficking.

Participants will walk in single-file lines dressed in black on the streets of McVeytown to show their support, said Beth Zong, who is on the church’s outreach committee and organizing the event along with Cindy Sunderland.

“Our goal is to make people cognizant that this is happening,” Zong said.

Internationally, the walk is organized through the A21 Campaign, a nonprofit organization that works to fight human trafficking, including sexual exploitation and trafficking, forced slave labor, bonded labor, involuntary domestic servitude and child soldiery.

Human trafficking “is the fastest growing crime in the world,” said Zong, which generates more than $150 billion annually. “The general public doesn’t really seem to understand how many people this affects.”

McVeytown will be one of five cities in Pennsylvania to hold the mile-long reflective walk, slated for 10 a.m., Oct. 20, Zong said. Others include Harrisburg, Philadelphia, East Stroudsburg and Pittsburgh.

Organizers expect the event will last for roughly two hours, there will be time for prayer and reflection.

The walk will begin at the McVeytown Presbyterian Church, 5 North Queen Street, and participants are encouraged to dress in black. Optional T-shirts for the event are available at A21.org.

Organizers hope to raise at least $1,000 for A21, but mostly they want to spread awareness.

Participants are reminded that they should walk based on their ability. “It’s not a race or a run. It’s more a solidarity walk,” Zong said.

There is no cost to participate in the event, however, donations will be accepted and proceeds go toward A21.

Those interested in participating, or getting more information about human trafficking may can get more information at www.a21.org.

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