I wanted tp cross-post today, DC takes on Human Trafficking and wins!, as the event is such a great example on how cities and communities across the country can really take a stand against Human Trafficking/Modern Slavery and make it a fun event for all ages!
As the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies prepared to go head to head on the field and battle it out for the win, the fan’s were gearing up for another battle. Last night the DC Human Trafficking Task Force hosted the first ever Anti-Human Trafficking Night at Nationals Park, A Night at the Park: Freedom for All!
The crowd looked like any other at fist glance, as happy faces and hoots and hollers were heard all around the stadium. Fans were waving to fellow teammates, grabbing their Jerseys and waving as if they were old friends. But the distinct difference was that this team jersey wasn’t the National’s or the Phillies, the yellow and blue jerseys flooding the stadium belonged to the DC Human Trafficking Task Force, the front of the jerseys read “Stop Human Trafficking”, and the back “27 Million” and gave the number for the National Human Trafficking Task Force.
The special themed Game Day was geared around the fact this month is Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Washington D.C. The awareness month was established thanks to the efforts of the DC Task Force on Human Trafficking, which was was established in 2004. The Task Force is comprised of membership from the DC police department, DC US Attorney’s office, a number of D.C. metropolitan area law enforcement agency and non-governmental organizations involved in anti-trafficking activities. The Task Force truly pulled together to show that this is a cause that not only has a passion behind it but true team work, and it is the team work that get us closer and closer each day to seeing an end modern slavery once and for all!
It was truly a team spirit one has never seen at any sports event; the spirits were high, the crowd cheered like never before! However the happy smiling faces and cheers at the game where out to raise awareness to a deep and dark crime the blights not only our city and our nation, but claims some 27 million lives every year across the globe.
In the end the Nat’s brought it home for the win at the bottom of the 9th, but the real winner was the fight to combat human trafficking. DC truly stole home like All Stars over Human Trafficking/Modern Slavery, with 674 special tickets sold! Thanks to everyone who came out, it was a fantastic night and the “Stop Human Trafficking Team” really made an impact and raised a lot of awareness! Let’s hope other cities and teams will take a cue from DC, that while the fight to combat modern slavery is not going to be won in one game, its well worth joining the team and playing out the season, for this is one World Series that will truly be a win for the men, women and children the world over!
