GET OUT THERE

NEW - Are you free this Wednesday to mobilize in support of new Maryland anti-human trafficking legislation?

Join fellow modern day abolitionists at the Maryland state Capitol in Annapolis for a Stop Human Trafficking Lobby Day. Six anti-trafficking bills have either been introduced this session or are in the process of being drafted. A press conference has been scheduled for 9:30a.m. so it’s particularly important that people try to pack the room then.

If you are unable to attend the lobby day but are a Maryland resident, you can still lobby your state senators and representatives for their support.

When: Wednesday, February 15, 9:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.

Where: House Building Room 142, 100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD

More details: http://bit.ly/z1e3DG


NEW - Ever thought about the potential intersections between animal rights, drug reform and human trafficking?

Come to a discussion at GW Law School next Wednesday afternoon hosted by the Human Rights Law Society, the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, and Students for a Sensible Drug Policy that will probe contemporary issues and the legislative framework that surround human, animal, and drug trafficking. The event is intended to illustrate the diverse challenges each form of trafficking poses as well as to highlight overlapping issues and potential solutions.

When: Wednesday, February 22, 12:00p.m.

Where: George Washington University Law School, 2000 H Street, NW


REMINDER - Looking for a great way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Want to support an organization dedicated to the empowerment of women and girls everywhere?

Come to Soroptimist International’s 2012 Annual Spring Fashion Show -- a themed fundraiser that includes a full dinner, fashion show by Draper’s & Damons, optional wine tasting, entertainment and shopping. Proceeds will benefit the Women's Opportunity Award scholarship program.

Soroptimist International is an organization for professional women who contribute time and financial support to both local and international projects that improve the lives of women and girls. Their Soroptimists STOP Trafficking project raises awareness about the sexual trafficking of women and girls.

When: Saturday, March 17, 1:00p.m. - 3:30p.m.

Where: Westminster of Lake Ridge, 12191 Clipper Drive Lake Ridge, Va.

Tickets: $35 in advance. Checks should be made out to “SIOW” and mailed to P.O. Box 6030 Woodbridge, VA 22195. Tickets can be mailed to you or held at the door according to preference.

Questions: Call (571)[masked]


REMINDER - Ready to stretch your legs for a great cause?

By signing up to participate in this year’s Run/Walk for Freedom 5K, you’ll be helping to raise funds and awareness for Bridge to Freedom Foundation’s mission of helping survivors of human trafficking acquire the work skills and resources they need to permanently break free of the cycle of modern-day slavery.

You have some time to register -- the walk isn’t until Saturday, April 28 -- but runners who sign up before February 29 pay only $25.

When: Saturday, April 28, 8:00a.m.

Where: East Potomac Park Golf Course 972 Ohio Drive SW

Sign-up: http://www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/20120428/


MOBILIZE

REMINDER - Roughly 1.7 million children work in inhumane and unsafe conditions in the West African cocoa industry. Though many chocolate companies have pledged to guarantee that their suppliers do not use forced child labor, Hershey’s refuses to release information about its supply chain or to buy cocoa only from ethical suppliers except in two product lines, Bliss and Dagoba. Because of this, Hershey’s cannot guarantee that the cocoa in most of their chocolate was not harvested by children working in horrible conditions.

Change.org is now circulating a petition to the Milton Hershey School Trust, which owns a large part of Hershey’s Chocolate Company, asking them to ensure that ALL Hershey’s cocoa comes from independently certified suppliers who comply with international labor rights standards. With the chocolate industry’s biggest money-maker holiday -- Valentine’s Day -- right around the corner, now is a great opportunity for abolitionists and lovers of chocolate alike to combine their voices to make a difference.

To sign the petition, visit: http://chn.ge/Az3WzI


OPPORTUNITIES

NEW - Are you tech-savvy and have a background in marketing/public relations?

Global Freedom Center is a new anti-human trafficking nonprofit focused on educating and training professionals from education, health, labor and employment, business, immigration and migration, criminal justice, social services, and journalism to become engaged in anti-slavery efforts. Global Freedom Center is in need of a volunteer to help devise a comprehensive online marketing campaign that will target anti-human trafficking practitioners and professionals in the above areas.

Volunteer responsibilities will include developing and implementing interactive and educational online marketing strategies as well as managing and growing the center’s online presence in online social communities and through its own website and Social Media posts. The six-month position is unpaid and comes with a 10+ hour weekly commitment. The ideal volunteer will work remotely while meeting periodically with center staff in the DC metro area.

For more details and directions on applying, visit: http://bit.ly/yEcTpR


NEW - Do you have what it takes to take on a leadership role in a faith-based nonprofit working to combat poverty, social injustices, and other factors that lead to human trafficking?

Tiny Hands International is seeking a new vice president of Advancement that will work from headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska to nurture strategic relationships with major donors, important institutions, and key advocates across the country; oversee THI mission managers in Development, Involvement and Communication; and drive the development and implementation of the overall national advancement strategies of THI.

Considerable travel may be required. Bachelor’s degree required as well as demonstrated leadership experience, and a successful background in fundraising. For the full job description, visit: http://linkd.in/xQqDNm


OTHER

NEW - Looking to buy an apartment in a great building?

Kevin Bales, president of Free the Slaves, is relocating back to the United Kingdom and would love to leave his beautiful one-bedroom Takoma Park apartment in the hands of another anti-human trafficking advocate. Located just 10 minutes from the Metro, the apartment has been fully remodeled, features great window views, and comes with all appliances and a car parking space.

Owner financing is available with fixed monthly payments that will not balloon and no interest rate changes. A sample 25 year mortgage would only be $739 a month. Bales is also open to renters if an appropriate buyer cannot be found. For more details, check out the flyer at http://bit.ly/yiNqEL


REMINDER - Have you heard about the New Underground Railroad?

It’s a web-based portal where anti-trafficking activists across the globe can link up to share information about campaigns, one-time events, important legislation, internships and job positions. Create your own FREE account with End Slavery Now -- the world’s largest database of volunteers, organizations, facilities and service professionals fighting to stop modern day slavery.

To sign up, visit http://bit.ly/bTEvz1

REMINDER - Imagine [yourname]@stopmodernslavery.org. Have a nice ring to it?

Regardless of the extent of your involvement with DC Stop Modern Slavery, you can get a Stop Modern Slavery email address. These addresses are most useful when working on Stop Modern Slavery projects but they also simply indicate your involvement with this movement. You can even link your Stop Modern Slavery address to another address so you only have to check one inbox. If interested, please email [address removed].


REMINDER - Interested in reading news articles gathered from around the country and the globe that cover human trafficking crimes and efforts to eliminate modern-day slavery? Sign up to receive The Abolitionist’s Digest -- produced by DC SMS members and emailed each Wednesday morning.

Sign up to receive the weekly digest here, http://bit.ly/hPYzFd.

Thanks to those who provided submissions. Future submissions and any feedback on how this newsletter can be improved should be sent to [address removed].

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ABOLITION!