The Holmes Cultural Diversity Center on the Mississippi State University campus will present a series of events Feb. 25-March 7 to heighten awareness of the issue of modern day slavery. The almost two-week long focus will conclude March 6-7 with a Stand for Freedom and a run to raise funds for the International Justice Mission, which brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and violent injustice.
Events scheduled include:
n Feb. 26, 28, March 4 – Human Trafficking Fair (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) Multiple student organizations will join in this fair on the Drill Field, distributing facts and statistics about modern day slavery, free-slave clothing and more.
n Feb. 26 (6 p.m.) – Director of the Biloxi-based Advocates for Freedom, Susie Harvill, will speak in McCool 100 on “In our Own Backyard.” Harvill will discuss human trafficking in Mississippi and signs to look for. Visit advocatesforfreedom.org.
n Feb. 28 (6 p.m.) – A discussion of modern day slavery in the McCool 124 Taylor Auditorium.
n March 4 (5 p.m.) – Live at 5, on “A Right to Torture Girls” (today’s occurrences of female circumcision) in the Dawg House on campus.
n March 4 (6 p.m.) – Shamere McKenzie, a survivor of human trafficking, will share her story in “Modern Day Slave: Survivors Account” in the Colvard Student Union Foster Ballroom. Visit survivorsofslavery.org/survivorsspeakers/shamere-mckenzie/.
n March 6 at 3 p.m. until March 7 at 6 p.m. – MSU will Stand for Freedom, along with students across the nation. Participants will stand for 27 hours in honor of the 27 million people in slavery today, organizers said. This FreedomMaker campaign raises support for the International Justice Mission.
“In the past 15 years, the IJM has helped to free thousands of children, women and men across Africa, Asia and Latin American. It helps survivors of violence receive the healing and restoration they need to rebuild their lives and works with local governments to help protect the poor,” shared Bréa Laurén Roth, program coordinator of the Holmes Center.
The drive hopes to raise $2,700 and asks for donations to help bring an end to modern-day slavery.
A 5K and optional 1-mile “Run to Rescue” March 7 at 6 p.m. will also help raise funds and awareness for the IJM. Register for the run at runtorescue.org.
To learn more, contact Roth at 662-325-2033, or Amina Bahammou at [email protected].
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