CALEXICO — A “Stop Human Trafficking Awareness Rally” on Saturday hopes to raise awareness, provoke action and provide assistance for those affected by human trafficking in the area.
“Too few people know that slavery still exists in the 21st century,” Soroptimist International of Calexico President Marty Guillen stated in a press release. “A first step in ending slavery is to create awareness. By raising awareness, the number of people engaged in the fight to end slavery will increase.”
The rally is hosted by Soroptimist International of Calexico in partnership with Soroptimist International of El Center. The Calexico High School Marching Band will perform and the event is also supported by the San Diego State Sigma Society. Soroptimist International launched the awareness campaign in 2007, and the local chapters held their first rally last year. Keynote speaker Imperial County District Attorney Gilbert Otero will discuss the issue specific to the area Saturday.
“Our location on California’s international border with Mexico affords Soroptimist International of Calexico the opportunity to raise awareness about human sex trafficking within the greater Imperial and Mexicali Valleys,” Guillen explained. “By raising awareness and distributing information to educate the public, our program will call people to act and become involved if they recognize a problem with trafficking in their midst.”
Between 100,000 to 150,000 sex slaves are estimated to be in the U.S. since 2001, according to a U.S. Department of Justice report from 2005.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
If you go
What Stop Human Trafficking Awareness Rally
Where Corner of Third Street and Imperial Avenue in Calexico
When 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
“Too few people know that slavery still exists in the 21st century,” Soroptimist International of Calexico President Marty Guillen stated in a press release. “A first step in ending slavery is to create awareness. By raising awareness, the number of people engaged in the fight to end slavery will increase.”
The rally is hosted by Soroptimist International of Calexico in partnership with Soroptimist International of El Center. The Calexico High School Marching Band will perform and the event is also supported by the San Diego State Sigma Society. Soroptimist International launched the awareness campaign in 2007, and the local chapters held their first rally last year. Keynote speaker Imperial County District Attorney Gilbert Otero will discuss the issue specific to the area Saturday.
“Our location on California’s international border with Mexico affords Soroptimist International of Calexico the opportunity to raise awareness about human sex trafficking within the greater Imperial and Mexicali Valleys,” Guillen explained. “By raising awareness and distributing information to educate the public, our program will call people to act and become involved if they recognize a problem with trafficking in their midst.”
Between 100,000 to 150,000 sex slaves are estimated to be in the U.S. since 2001, according to a U.S. Department of Justice report from 2005.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
If you go
What Stop Human Trafficking Awareness Rally
Where Corner of Third Street and Imperial Avenue in Calexico
When 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
