Peaceful protest persists

The annual A21 Walk for Freedom will be hosted in Lynchburg, Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 20, to raise awareness about human trafficking and unite abolitionists in the fight against slavery in both the United States and around the world. 

A21 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and abolishing human trafficking and slavery. Since 2014, A21 has been rallying individuals in cities and towns across the globe to be the voice for the voiceless and walk united on one day each year. This year, thousands will gather in cities around the world and walk to raise awareness Oct. 20.

 Liberty University senior Tara Adams attended her first Walk for Freedom her freshman year and will be hosting this year’s Walk for Freedom in Lynchburg. Adams believes that this event is important for Liberty students to attend because human trafficking happens everywhere.  

According to the Human Trafficking Hotline, 502 calls were made to the Virginia hotline, and 156 human trafficking cases were reported in 2017. 

“I think as Christians, if we’re going to sit here and say we support Jesus, and Jesus loves the lonely and loves people who (are) being used and hurt, then we should be loving the people that are being used and hurt and do something for their freedom,”
Adams said. 

Registration for the walk is free and can be completed online at a21.org. While fundraising for the event is not required, A21 challenges each participant to raise $100 for the cause. 

Since the walk is the same day as other events, such as the Flames homecoming football game and the Lynchstock Music Festival, the Walk for Freedom will only last an hour to accommodate participants’
schedules. 

Those participating in the walk will meet at Monument Terrace at the intersection of Church and Ninth streets at 9 a.m. Oct. 20. Participants are to wear all black in solidarity towards the victims. The walk will begin with prayer for human trafficking victims and a discussion concerning trafficking in different areas around the world, while also spotlighting its effect in the city of Lynchburg. 

Liberty senior and Walk for Freedom Assistant Host Laura Schulte, has been passionate about the A21 foundation since she her freshman year. With this year’s Walk for Freedom quickly approaching, she is looking forward to bringing fresh awareness to the community about human
trafficking.

“I think when we talk about things like human trafficking and modern-day slavery, it can sound very ambiguous,” Schulte said. “I think that this walk and this demonstration allows people to understand that there are real people and real human lives that are forced into trafficking every single year, and that is a problem. I think that through this walk, we are able to help take this issue, which can be a huge thing, and give people a way to channel that passion.” 

According to Schulte, prevention of human trafficking starts with awareness of what is happening in the community. Both Adams and Schulte hope to raise greater awareness about the legitimate problem of human trafficking within the United States through      this event. 

They also want to provide individuals with the knowledge to know the signs of trafficking in America and educate them on how to respond when trafficking is
suspected. 

Schulte and Adams praised the Lynchburg Police Department for their kindness and accommodation in the planning for the event. Theresa Reynolds, the administrative associate to Deputy Chief Major Mark Jameson, helped Adams and other Walk for Freedom hosts complete the necessary forms to secure a permit for the event.  

“When people are passionate about a cause, we want to make sure they have every way within the realm of obeying the law to speak their mind,” Reynolds said. 

To find out more information about A21, visit the website A21.org.