Local

March to end human trafficking scheduled for Saturday in Tulsa

TULSA — Every thirty seconds, another human finds themselves forced into the dark world of human trafficking.

As recently as 2012, the International Labor Organization estimated there were 21 million victims of human trafficking across the globe, the largest number at any time in history.

The majority of them were held for forced labor, others for sexual exploitation.

The international "Walk for Freedom" is organized by a group called A21, which stands for abolishing human trafficking in the 21st Century.

The local organizer is Meg Weinkauf, who tells KRMG she found her calling when A21 founder Christine Caine spoke at Tulsa’s GUTS Church in 2010.

I do believe that we can end this in the 21st Century. We can end this in our lifetime -- Meg Kaufman, A21 Tulsa

“That was my first time hearing of human trafficking,” Weinkauf said, “and I was just convicted, you know, from a really deep level of ‘this is not okay, and we need to do something about that.”

Its an uncomfortable topic for many, but Weinkauf says shining a light on the dark corners of slavery and forced prostitution is the only answer to solving a problem that’s as old as mankind.

“If you think about it, if everyone can just do a little bit, then collectively we can do a whole lot, and we can move this needle forward,” Kaufman told KRMG Monday. “It is a big problem to tackle, but the more people that are aware, the more that are even equipped (with) the National Human Trafficking Hotline number,” the sooner there will be progress.

On October 14th, marches will be held in 50 countries and 600 cities around the world, including Tulsa.

She's seeking volunteers, and of course, people to march in the Walk for Freedom.

If you can't walk, you can still support the organization with a donation.

Tulsa’s event will be a mile-long, single-file march beginning and ending at Veterans Park on the south end of downtown.

The music begins at 8:30 a.m., the march will begin about 9:00.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline number is: 888-373-7888.

Listen

news

weather

traffic

mobile apps

Everything you love about krmg.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!