Human Trafficking in the USA
This is one of those must read blog posts, folks. What I’m about to tell you is such an important topic and it needs so much more awareness than what it’s receiving. Up until this morning I was completely unaware of a growing problem in the United States that is second in size and profit only to the drug trade, and quickly gaining ground for the number one position. My good friend, Brian Terry, called me today to tell me about a new project his band, 3 Minutes to Live, is working on. What he told me absolutely revolted me into near shock.
Current figures say that there are more than 27 million slaves in the world today. More than at the height of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade! Most of these are children between the ages of 11-17 who are sold into sex trafficking. Could you imagine your own child being taken from you and sold off into a life of drugs, sex, and abuse? I visited www.notforsalecampaign.org and found story after story of young children being sold into slavery for sex. Not just in other countries, but right here under our noses in the United States! Last year alone, the sex slave industry profited $32 billion! That’s more than Starbucks, Google, and Nike COMBINED!
Brian got a hold of the book Not For Sale and read it. After learning about this horrible problem he felt a strong desire to help this organization in any way possible. As a musician he naturally turned to songwriting. After telling the rest of the band members about this growing epidemic and his conviction to do something they were more than eager to join him. Currently they are working on recording a song called Stolen to raise awareness. Their hoping to make it available for download and on CD and shoot a music video. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this song will go directly to the Not For Sale organization.
They really need our help to make this project happen. They need videographers, video and sound editors, music video extras, and, most importantly, they need voices; people who are willing to speak out and create awareness. They are funding this project out of their own pockets so please volunteer your time and services if you can. If you have are able to contribute to this project please let me know so I can get you in contact with Brian.
You can visit 3 Minutes to Live’s MySpace profile for more information on the band and news related to the project. http://www.myspace.com/3minutestolive
Beautifully expressed, Will! Thanks so very much for spreading awareness of this travesty in our own backyard. Please check out http://www.notforsaletn.org for the latest news and events in Tennessee (there's a new case this week), http://www.notforsaletn.wordpress.com for more info and my musings on the issue, and http://twitter.com/NotForSaleTN for those quick Twitter soundbites. Welcome to the movement to end slavery!-Derri
Hey Derri, I'm so glad you commented. I wasn't aware there was a TN chapter. Brian's (and the rest of the band's) intent is to get as much awareness and funding to your organization as possible with this project so it would be great to work directly with you. If you're interested, please email me your direct contact info so I can pass it on to Brian. Maybe you guys could toss around some ideas on fund-raising and awareness; a joint effort concert or something like that.
Thanks for the comment and your kind words. I'm going to be doing as much as I can to educate people about this issue (you're right, travesty is a MUCH better word for this).
Sorry for the delayed response, Will! I didn't see this until today. I'm so very encouraged by you and Brian and co. You guys have great hearts and an amazing venue for powerfully reaching and influencing people. I have just one question: Can I clone you?!
You can reach me via e-mail at derri@notforsalecampaign.org. I look forward to working beside you and continuing the conversation.
Right on!
You won't need to clone me. I'm working hard to get the word out and Brian's efforts will have big pay off I'm sure.
[...] might remember me mentioning my friend Brian Terry’s latest project in a blog post a few months back. At that time, his band 3 Minutes to Live was working on a new song, Stolen, and [...]