Tuesday, January 05, 2010

President Obama Proclaims January, 2010 National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

On Monday, January 4th 2010, President Obama signed a Proclamation declaring that January, 2010 is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The proclamation, which has been issued just 10 days before National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, will commemorate the Emancipation Proclamation, which went into effect on January 1, 1863. The month will culminate with National Freedom Day on February 1st. In December, the Senate issued a resolution in support of this proclamation.

The proclamation states that "As a Nation, we have known moments of great darkness and greater light; and dim years of chattel slavery illuminated and brought to an end by President Lincoln's actions and a painful Civil War. Yet even today, the darkness and inhumanity of enslavement exists. Millions of people worldwide are held in compelled service, as well as thousands within the United States. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we acknowledge that forms of slavery still exist in the modern era, and we recommit ourselves to stopping the human traffickers who ply this horrific trade."

In addition to acknowledging the realities of the horror of modern-day slavery, the proclamation calls for increased medical and social services for victims, increased training for first respondents, and increased public awareness.

In the proclamation, President Obama states that "Fighting modern slavery and human trafficking is a shared responsbility. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consquences of human trafficking. Together, we can and must end this most serious, ongoing criminal civil rights violation. . . I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery."

1 comment:

  1. I hope it helps!! I've posted a link to this post around...

    ReplyDelete