Batting Up for a Cause

While my knowledge of the D.C. Nationals, or any major league baseball team for that matter, is limited, I will be cheering them on as they take on the Cardinals June 15.

For this particular game, the Nationals have teamed up with the DC Human Trafficking Task Force to bring attention to modern day slavery. People who would otherwise not be inclined to learn about the issue will have information readily accessible at the game and persons dedicated to the cause can show up and make a statement that D.C. will not tolerate human trafficking anymore.

A portion of ticket sales will go to the DC Trafficking Task Force as they continue to help the countless victims of human trafficking. I’ll be there because I care about this issue and who knows; maybe I’ll learn a thing or two about that “old ball game.”

Please see below for registration details:
To register go nationals.com/tickets
* click Individual Game Tickets
* click “T” on game of choice
* enter Coupon Code “HTAN” and click continue
After the discount, tickets are $7/each.

Playground

Screening of the film PLAYGROUND Thursday, September 23, 2010 - 6:30pm Capitol Hill Visitor Center - North Orientation Theater, Washington, DC

Introductory Remarks by Ambassador Luis CdeBaca, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking In Persons Followed by Q&A and discussion with advocates, moderated by filmmaker Libby Spears

Directed by Libby Spears; Executive produced by George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and Steven Soderbergh

This poignant documentary about the commercial sexual exploitation of children in America has been screened around the country. It has been referenced by legislators like Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) who have seen it and felt compelled by its powerful message: "Child sex trafficking happens to our children, in our country." The sexual exploitation of children is a problem that we tend to relegate to back-alley brothels in developing countries.

This is where filmmaker Libby Spears began her sensitive investigation into the topic. But she quickly concludes that very little thrives on this planet without American capital, and the commercial child sex industry is thriving. A meeting with Ernie Allen, President of the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children, confirmed to Libby what her research was beginning to uncover: that the trafficking of children for commercial sexual exploitation is every bit as real in North America. And this is where Playground really begins.

Spears intelligently traces the epidemic to its disparate, and decidedly domestic, roots—among them the way children are educated about sex, and the problem of raising awareness about a crime that is often carefully hidden. Her cultural observations are couched in the search for Michelle, an American girl lost to the underbelly of childhood sexual exploitation who has yet to resurface a decade later. Playground documents the incredible challenges we face as a society.

Luckily, some legislators have decided to meet that challenge. The "Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010" was originally introduced in December by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) as S.2925. It passed from the Senate Judiciary unanimously and awaits a vote by the Senate. The House bill, H.R. 5575, was introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ) in June and awaits action in the House Judiciary Committee.

Seating is limited. Please RSVP to playground@nestfoundation.org.

International Orchestra for Freedom: 'Abandoning Silence' Concert Series

International Orchestra for Freedom 'Abandoning Silence' Concert Series

William Kunhardt conductor
Thomas Carroll cello
International Orchestra for Freedom
Purna Sen Head of Human Rights at The Commonwealth Secretariat

Programme:
Siddique: Prayer For Humanity (world premiere)
Gulda: Cello Concerto
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.6 'Pathétique'

'Abandoning Silence' is a dynamic new concert series presented by The Human Culture Collective, which aims to raise awareness to human trafficking through orchestral music, and is performed by the dynamic International Orchestra for Freedom, a group of some of the most talented young professional musicians from across the UK.

'Prayer for Humanity' composed by Julene Siddique is a symphonic narration of human rights and the honouring of universal values. This beautiful, innovative and powerful new commission receives its debut performance.

Renowned virtuoso cellist Thomas Carroll performs Friedrich Gulda's innovative and jazzy Cello Concerto, and Tchaikovsky's infamous final symphony, the 'Pathétique', completes the programme.

Tickets*:
£25, £20, £15, £12, £8

To buy tickets visit here or here.

About the International Orchestra for Freedom:

The International Orchestra for Freedom is one of the most exciting orchestras on the planet. It is the voice of an entire generation of young professional artists, filled with passion, commitment and stunning creativity. Far beyond that however, the orchestra is a force for international social change. Its mission is to travel the world, along with its global partners, performing in the most iconic venues and working in communities, with corporations, global leaders and world governments. Its goal: To mobilise the world in facing one of the greatest atrocities imaginable – Human trafficking.

Human Trafficking Action & Events

Polaris Project is requesting action to support Ohio HB493, which would be Ohio's first law to criminalize human trafficking. Ohio is one of five states that still does not have a law addressing human trafficking.

The Not for Sale Campaign is accepting registrations for the Global Forum on Human Trafficking, which will be held in Yorba Linda, CA from October 14-15. Register now and receive a free t-shirt or gift certificate to the Freedom Store.

Change.org is asking for signatures on letters requesting that Hilton prevent child prostitution in its hotels by signing the EPCAT Code of Conduct.

Change.org also has a petition asking Craigslist to "make REAL change" in its adult services section, and providing several suggestions.

NOW-NYC is holding a Trafficking Action Network meeting on August 11, at 6:30 pm. For more information, click here.

On September 12, a member of CAST's survivor caucus will be speaking at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. For more information, click here.

Image credit: Avital Gertner

Florida Modern-Day Slavery Museum Northeast Tour

Press Release:

The Florida Modern-Day Slavery Museum consists of a cargo truck outfitted as a replica of the trucks involved in a recent slavery operation (U.S. v. Navarrete, 2008), accompanied by displays on the history and evolution of slavery in Florida agriculture. The museum's central focus is on the phenomenon of modern-day slavery – its roots, the reasons it persists, and its solutions.

The exhibits were developed in consultation with workers who have escaped from forced labor operations as well as leading academic authorities on slavery and labor history in Florida. The museum is endorsed by many leading human rights and anti-slavery organizations, including Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International, respectively the largest human rights organization and the oldest human rights organization in the world. . .

The museum was conceived of by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, the human rights award-winning farmworker organization that has aided in the prosecution by the Department of Justice of seven farm slavery operations and the liberation of well over 1,000 workers since 1997. A federal indictment for the most recent forced labor case in Florida agriculture was unsealed just last week.

The tour will also raise awareness about labor conditions in the tomato supply chains of Ahold's USA supermarket brands, including Giant, Stop & Shop, and Martin's.“

Slavery in Florida agriculture today is not separate from the past – indeed, its roots extend deep within our state’s history. Farmworkers have always been, and remain today, the state’s poorest, least powerful workers,” explains Gerardo Reyes of the CIW. “If we are to abolish slavery once and for all in Florida agriculture, we must pull it up by the roots by addressing farmworker poverty and powerlessness.”

Th exhibit will be touring the northeast, starting in Virgina on July 25th before traveling to DC, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Baltimore, and other cities. For a full touring schedule, click here.

SHI Awareness Campaign - Chicago

Shared Hope International is coordinating a campaign in Chicago this June to get the message out that "Kids Are NOT for Sale in Chicago!" If you are in the Chicago area, they would love to have your participation and help in spreading the word. The events will include a rally, a "Voices for Justice" event for survivors and activists, and Truck Stop Campaign rallies. Students are also needed to host "One Night, One Voice" campus awareness nights. For more information about the events, please click here.

Screening of The Price of Sugar Tomorrow, April 22nd, in DC

FREE PUBLIC SCREENING OF THE PRICE OF SUGAR

Why watch the Price of Sugar?

"In the Dominican Republic, a tropical island-nation, tourists flock to pristine beaches unaware that a few miles away thousands of dispossessed Haitians have toiled under armed-guard on plantations harvesting sugarcane, much of which ends up in U.S. kitchens. They work grueling hours and frequently lack decent housing, clean water, electricity, education or healthcare. Narrated by Paul Newman, "The Price of Sugar" follows Father Christopher Hartley, a charismatic Spanish priest, as he organizes some of this hemisphere's poorest people to fight for their basic human rights. This film raises key questions about where the products we consume originate and at what human cost they are produced."

Taken from www.thepriceofsugar.com

Free Parking is available after 5:00 p.m. in a lot bordered by Nebraska, Massachusetts, and New Mexico Avenues. The entrance is on New Mexico.

PLUS Light refreshments will be served

Register for the event here.

About Prevent Human Trafficking:

Prevent Human Trafficking (PHT) is a Washington, D.C., based non-profit organization working to build a bridge between South East Asia and the United States to prevent human trafficking. PHT empowers individuals, organizations and governments to tackle the root causes of human trafficking through direct support and technical assistance. PHT uses its expertise and networks to promote best practice and inspire sustainable solutions in the movement to prevent human trafficking.

Join us!

NOTE: This event sponsored by the American University chapter of PHT.

On a quick personal note, I saw this film in Toronto last October and the material is quite provoking and thoughtful. When considering prevention efforts for human trafficking, we often get caught up in focusing on how to stop traffickers and how to keep victims from making risky decisions that end up becoming trafficking situations, but we forget that we have the power to prevent trafficking as well as consumers: by becoming more knowledgeable about the consumer choices we make, we can help curb demand for exploited labor. I definitely recommend that people go out and see this film.

Freedom Boutique for Slavery Victims

How's this for a great idea?

From Rochester's Post-Bulletin:

By Matthew Stolle
The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

There are lots of stories in the news these days that chronicle the injustices and miseries of people in far-flung places of the world. They make interesting conversational topics, but rarely do people feel as if they are in a position to do anything about it.

Patti Brown feels differently.

The Rochester hairstylist plans to set up a Freedom Boutique at the Cutting Loose Hair Salon in Rochester later this month. The boutique will offer products either made by or benefiting people who have come out of human trafficking, slavery and abuse.

"I kind of felt after reading about the slavery issue and the human traffic problem, it's like, 'What can I do?'" Brown said. "I do think it's helping. We can end slavery by the way we purchase."

Brown said the problem of modern-day slavery afflicts 27 million women and children, and the problem is not confined to places outside of the United States. Minnesota is among the 13 most heavily sex and slavery trafficked states in the nation, according to the Minnesota Human Trafficking Watch.

Approximately 50 percent of all victims of trafficking are children.

Brown said the products she will be selling have been made by women in India and Cambodia who have escaped from forced prostitution. Others have been made by women in Swaziland and Uganda who are suffering with AIDS because of the abuse against them.

"(It's) helping people get on their feet," Brown said. "I guess it's that after-care side that really spoke to me and made me think (that) if we're going to try and help them get out of this situation, we have to help them have an income."

Coffee, chocolate, jewelry and handbags will be sold at the boutique. The products, in a sense, have already been paid for. Brown and her husband purchased the products, and the person who made them has been paid as well. The boutique is a way of keeping that virtuous cycle of purchasing alive.

"It may not sound like much, but sometimes it is the most we can do, and it not only spreads awareness, but also helps people realize we can do something to stop slavery through our purchases."

For more details, click here.

EVENT: Freedom Gala 2010 for trafficking victims

RestoreNYC is hosting Freedom Gala 2010 on Thursday, March 18, 2010. The event will be held in the Orensanz building located on 172 Norfolk Street, New York, NY 10002-1602.

The program for the evening will include musical performance by a motivated abolitionist and a lead singer of Ten Shekel Shirt, Lamont Hiebert and NYC’s all time favorite start, Tom Hayes. Faith Huckel, the Executive Director of RestoreNYC will also read a survivor’s testimony followed by her speech. In addition, light dinner, wine, and beer will be served as silent auction is conducted in the evening.

RestoreNYC aims to rehabilitate victims’ lives after rescue. As RestoreNYC believes in a holistic approach and long term aftercare service for the victims, the profits from Freedom Gala event 2010 will be used to build safe housing for the victims.

Safe housing for sex trafficking victims means more than a roof over their heads. Ideally, victims should be freed from the life styles in the sex industry and the control from the pimps after the rescue. But, the reality is quite the contrary. Even after the rescue, victims suffer long-term physical and psychological traumas caused by their previous experience as sex slaves. Therefore, Restore understands that safe housing is a necessary component of aftercare services for them. Without a complete recovery from the trauma, the victims often fall back to the sex industry because the lifestyle, at minimum, seems familiar enough to them to meet their needs.

Though the JFK Airport is determined as a major entry point of human trafficking victims by the State department, the New York city currently has no safe housing for international trafficking victims. This shows the vitality of your support for building safe housing for the victims in the city. So, if you are in NYC, come out on the 18^th of March and support sex trafficking victims in New York city. Tickets can be purchased on Freedom Gala 2010 website for $75.00.

Upcoming Workshop in New York

This is some information about an upcoming workshop being held by UNANIMA. For more complete information, please go to this link.

Workshop on Stopping the Demand forTrafficking in Women and Children

UNANIMA International seeks 28-30 individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 from the English-speaking world who seek an end to human slavery and affirm that pornography, prostitution, and sex trafficking are acts of violence against women.

Our workshop provides as an exciting opportunity for new and old activists alike to learn, speak, and act for a just world. From panel discussions to group brainstorming, we hope that participants will make new friends and mobilize their ideas into collective action.

Our workshop is free. All participants are entitled to room and board, transportation (all air, train, and bus fares), and any visa expenses (if applicable) that are related to the workshop. Souvenirs, sightseeing, extended stays (other than a UNANIMA-planned UN experience, and other personal expenses will not be covered.

To apply:

1.Fill out the following application form.

2.If necessary, attach your signed letter of permission.

3.Complete the personal statement (page 4).

4.Send UNANIMA your completed application form, letter of permission (if applicable), and personal statement via email (workshop@unanima-international.org) or mail –UNANIMA International211 East 43rd Street, Room 1207New York, NY 10017USA

Applications will be considered on a rolling-basis until 5 March 2010. Accepted applicants will be notified via email by 19 March 2010 with further details, including travel arrangements. Please feel free to email (workshop@unanima-international.org) or call 1-212-370-0075 if you have any questions.

About UNANIMA:

UNANIMA International is an NGO (nongovernmental organization) committed to work for justice at the international level in harmony with the charter of the United Nations for the economic and social advancement of all peoples.

The coalition was founded in 2002 by representatives from 7 congregations of women religious with a vision that by our united action we can make a difference in our world.

California - Human Trafficking Prevention Month Events

If you live in California, it's not too late to get involved in Human Trafficking Prevention Month, thanks to the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking, and the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking:

San Francisco:

February 6, 2010 - "Building the Wings of Freedom" benefit dinner for Freedom House, a nonprofit that is opening a shelter for victims of human trafficking. 6:00 pm at Dolores Park Church. www.freedom-house.us.com.

February 9, 2010 - Panel discussion: "In Our Backyard: Recognizing and Combating Human Trafficking in San Francisco." The focus will be on providing ways for members of the public to identify and assist trafficking victims. 5:30 pm at the Koret Auditorium at the San Francisco Public Library main branch. http://www.sf-hrc.org/index.aspx?page=58

Los Angeles:

January 20, 2010 - UCLA Trafficking Awareness Panel Discussion Speaker Event, featuring speakers Dr. Susie Baldwin, Stephanie Richard of CAST, and a CAST survivor advisory caucus member. 6:00-7:30 pm at UCLA campus. http://www.castla.org/ucla-panel-on-public-health.

January 21, 2010 - Certain Jamba Juice locations will donate 20% of sales to CAST for those who bring in the flier. http://www.castla.org/jamba-juice-to-donate-20percent-to-cast.

January 23, 2010 - CAST community clothing and basic necessities drive for trafficking survivors. Needed items include bus passes, gift cards, toiletries, laundry detergent, diapers, and children's clothing. Volunteers are also needed. http://www.castla.org/community-clothing-and-basic-necessities-drive--el-segundo.

East West Players Perform Reading on Modern-Day Slavery and Trafficking in the U.S.

On Thursday, January 22nd, the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) will host a reading of "The Girls from Afar" by East West Players to help bring awareness to slavery and trafficking in Los Angeles and the US.

According to their press release, CAST is a leader in the fight against human trafficking, and East West Players is one of the nation's premier Asian American theatre organizations. They have joined with a dozen other organizations in Southern California to bring awareness to the fact that 17,000 people are trafficked into the US every year.

The reading is part of the "From Slavery to Freedom" month-long campaign led by CAST "to encourage victims to seek help and let them know they will not be treated as criminals, inform the general public about the existence of modern-day slavery, and to inspire a national movement to eradicate slavery and human trafficking once and for all."

According to the news release, "The Girls from Afar" tells the story of two worlds colliding when a young girl comes face-to-face with two women her parents have kept hidden for many years and have used as modern-day slaves in their home. The reading will be followed by a panel discussion to explore in more depth the issue of slavery and trafficking in the US, specifically Los Angeles, and the steps that are being taken to eliminate it.

The event will take place on Thursday, January 21st 2010 at 7:30pm at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in the Tateuchi Democracy Forum 111 N. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-830-1880

Announcement for Volunteer Opportunity at RestoreNYC (Jan. 14th 2010)

Are you in NYC area? Are you interested in supporting human trafficking victims? Are you looking for an opportunity to build your experience with hands on experience in the field? Restore NYC is inviting you to NYC to join their session to be held on Thursday, January 14th. at 7 pm. During the session, Faith Huckel, the Executive Director of the organization will speak about the organization, including its mission statement as well as the organization's plan to combat sex trafficking in NYC. The purpose of this session is to build a safe house for human trafficking victims in NYC.

More on Restore NYC
According to its website, the organization was started in 2004 when three people felt called to serve human trafficking victims in New York City. After receiving training, the organization obtained its nonprofit status in 2006. Since then, the organization has dedicated itself to assisting victims of trafficking to restore themselves from physical and psychological damages caused by their experience in prostitution and sex trafficking. Restore also became the first organization in NYC to provide holistic long-term aftercare services and house care for international women victimized by human trafficking.

If you would like to get involved
The volunteer opportunities include accounting, blogging for its website, case managing, mentoring, supporting with prayers and prayer walk, and assisting with recreational outings and workshop instruction. If you are interested, e-mail Restore at restorevolunteer@gmail.com to complete the volunteer application. You are also encouraged to attend the session this Thursday, January 14th at 7 pm. For more information on the opportunity, visit RestoreNYC

Holiday Shopping Event to Benefit Victim Services Organization

Trafficking Victim Services of the International Institute of Buffalo has teamed up with Ten Thousand Villages, who will be hosting a Community Shopping Day on Thursday, December 3rd to benefit the program. From 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, 15% of net sales will be donated to the program – so please encourage friends, relatives, or colleagues in the Buffalo area to attend the event to do some fair trade shopping and benefit a program here at the Institute! If you have any questions, please contact Elise Garvey at tassistant1@iibuff.org.

Find the Facebook Event here!

Human Trafficking Event in Rochester, New York

Human Trafficking: Awareness & Action

December 8, 2009, 9:00 AM—4:00 PM

RIT Inn & Conference Center

5257 W. Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14467

The International Institute of Buffalo, Farmworker Legal Services of NY and the NY Branch of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children are partnering to hold a conference and networking event entitled, The Human Side of Human Trafficking: Awareness & Action.

Speakers include:

• Florrie Burke, Co-Chair, Freedom Network (USA): Ms. Burke will provide an overview of Human Trafficking, victim profiles, collaborative multi-disciplinary models of response andservice, and building a community-wide response to trafficking.


• Ron Soodalter Co-Author, The Slave Next Door: Using examples from his research Mr. Soodalter will focus on the state of human trafficking and slavery in the United States andwhat is being done to address trafficking in various regions.


• John O’Brien, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Michigan & Edward Price, Detective Sergeant, Michigan State Police—Detroit: The instructors will provide information on an actual child prostitution investigation which spanned from Michigan, Ohio, Florida and Washington D.C. and grossed over two million dollars in illegal money and assets. The instructors will discuss in detail the different methods and techniques that were used to dismantle these criminal enterprises which involved two pimps and over nine juvenile victims.

Intended audience includes government and social service providers, law enforcement members, educational staff, medical personnel, community, religious, and cultural groups, legal assistance providers and victim advocates in Upstate New York.

Register by filling out the registration form and mailing it to NCMEC/NY, 275 Lake Ave, Rochester, NY 14608 or Fax: 585-242-0717.

Download the information and registration form here.

For more information, contact: Kathy Cannon, Kcannon@ncmec.org,
585-242-0900 x 3339

Open Sourced On-line Modern Anti-slavery Event Tomorrow

Best Practices to Combat Human Trafficking: Forced Labor - an on-line event

• When: Monday, November 16, 2009, 10 am - 12 pm (EST)

• With:
• E. Benjamin Skinner (moderator) - Fellow, Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard Kennedy School; Author of A Crime So Monstrous: Face-to-Face with Modern-Day Slavery
• Karen McLaughlin - Director, Massachusetts Human Trafficking Task Force
  Roger Plant - Head, Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour, International Labour Organisation
• Anna Rodriguez - Founder and Director, Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking

• URL: For more information and to register, visit the event page here.
  

• Co-sponsored by the Initiative to Stop Human Trafficking and the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation’s Government Innovators Network
  
  This webinar is hosted online. Registration is required, and free of charge.

MAKE THE DIFFERENCE -A Benefit Concert for Trafficking Victims

Young people are getting together to hold a benefit concert for human trafficking victims in Nashville on Dec. 12th, 2009. This is a fund raising and awareness raising event to reach out to the young generation in the U.S. to spread the word about the gravity of human trafficking, which is rampant around the world.

1. Tell me about this upcoming event in Nashville

The name of the event is Make The Difference. It is a benefit concert raising awareness and funds for the International Justice Mission.

2. How would you describe goal and mission of the event?

My vision with this is not to simply raise money and tell people about IJM; I hope people leave with an understanding of the horrible acts of injustice going on in the world today, and how easy it is for individuals to do something about it. [ Emphasis added.]

People simply don't realize that other human beings, who have every right to LIVE a life of opportunity- are being stripped of that right. If they were aware, I believe people would react. If a person walks down the street here in States and witnesses a kid being abused violently, he or she would do something to stop it. Because it is WRONG. It's the same with oppression in other countries and the underground sex market in the U.S. Something needs to be done. Thankfully, there are organizations working so hard to rescue people trapped in these situations. If people KNOW what is going on around them their human common sense kicks in and says "ACT." The "act" is as simple as writing a check and spreading the word…maybe even volunteering to help out.

3. What are some main activities in the event?

The artists performing are Derek Webb, Matthew Mayfield, and Cool Hand Luke. It will be an acoustic evening of incredible music; these artists write songs with meaning that are inspired by their own experiences; music from the heart, not fluff.For now, I'm running this event on my own. And it's only a one-time deal, but that may change. I have friends helping me with promotion, and I am VERY grateful for their willingness to lend a hand.

4. How did you first learn about trafficking?

I'm not certain how I first learned about trafficking; My freshman year of college, four years ago, I saw the Invisible Children documentary which completely blew me away. That was probably where it started. Somehow I ran across the International Justice Mission online a while later and learned the realities of human trafficking, and how the people of IJM work so selflessly to rescue people. I'm not an IJM spokesman or representative one bit, but that organization was heavy on my heart when I decided to plan this concert. No rhyme or reason.

5. What is your direct involvement? Do you utilize volunteers and, if so, how do you recruit volunteers and who are they?

For a while I've thought about using concerts to generate revenue for organizations and individuals who need support to do the hard job they selflessly signed-up for. Over the summer, I was thinking about it a lot; so I took the plunge. The way I see it, I have a general understanding of the horrid realities happening to fellow human-beings and [I know I am] therefore morally responsible to inform others and hopefully inspire them to react. So I guess it is sort of a responsibility to spread the words. Also, I'm pumped to be working with these artists; they are super generous for helping out.

6. What would you say to people who do not understand the gravity of human trafficking?

If a person is alive on this earth, he or she has the right to live a life of peace and opportunity. The unfortunate reality is that corrupt, evil people and governments willfully reject that right and force innocent, undeserving people into slavery, prostitution, and other violent oppression. We cannot simply write-off something that atrocious. If someone thinks human trafficking isn't of their concern, they might as well be running the underground slave and sex markets with the rest of the selfish, greedy villains. It is a sad and uncomfortable topic, but it MUST be brought into the light. A thing like this should unify people to act, regardless of background or belief.

7. How can people support the event?

People can support this event by coming to the show Saturday December 12 at Rocketown in Nashville at 7pm. The ticket price is $15 at the door or at Ticketweb.com. All of the proceeds will benefit IJM.

People can also spread the word about the event, and do some research on their own time and discover ways they can do their part to Make the Difference. More information is at www.makethediff.com