YOU CAN HELP: Watch the "Very Young Girls" Movie Trailer by GEMS Girls and Vote for them to get a $250K Pepsi Grant

We talked about GEMS Girls yesterday. Here's a trailer for their documentary "Very Young Girls." Please be sure to vote for them to receive the $250K Pepsi Refresh Grant Money. Today is the LAST DAY TO VOTE. See voting details below.



You can add your vote for the Pepsi Refresh Grant by going to
www.facebook.com/refresheverything
1) Click on the "Celeb Challenge" tab
2) You will need to become a "Facebook Fan" of Pespi
3) Cast your vote for GEMS Girls

I didn't realize this, but this was the first year Pepsi DID NOT air Super Bowl commercial ads. Instead they put the money towards running the Pepsi Refresh Grants. Very cool. Story below.

AUTHOR'S INVITATION:

Everyone I talk to about modern slavery agrees it's atrocious. Then they ask, "What can I do?" BE A VOICE. Spread awareness share these posts and videos with others. Collectively we can reach thousands of people. Creating awareness and making this an issue in the public mind WILL lead to CHANGE.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

~Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Will you accept my invitation? Will you be a voice?

Thank you,
John Burger

AbolitionisJB

YOU CAN HELP: Demi Moore nominates GEMS Girls for a $250,000 Pepsi Grant. Add your vote!

GEMS Girls is a wonderful organization that provides after care treatment and prevention for girls victimized by human traffickong and forced prostitution in the United States. You can learn more about GEMS at http://www.gems-girls.org/

In this video, Demi Moore nominates GEMS Girls for a $250,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant.



VOTING ENDS IN 2 DAYS:
You can add your vote for the Pepsi Refresh Grant by going to

www.facebook.com/refresheverything
1) Click on the "Celeb Challenge" tab
2) You will need to become a "Facebook Fan" of Pespi
3) Cast your vote for GEMS Girls

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

FREEDOM FRIDAY: Share about Love146 & Win a Watch!

As most of you know, Love146.org is the reason I began my journey as a modern day abolitionist.

Their video, "Imagine," didn't just grab me, it shook me to make a difference. If you have a chance, I suggest watching it as well.

This short video shows the history of Love146 and what they do.

Love146 History from LOVE146 on Vimeo.

FREEDOM FRIDAY:

You can make a difference today. Help us raise awareness of the issue of child sex trafficking and exploitation by retweeting the message below on Twitter.

RETWEET:

Help @officiallove146 fight child slavery. RT message & enter to win a watch! http://bit.ly/b0W1Y9 #FREEDOMFRIDAY

WIN THIS WATCH TODAY!

Retweet the "FREEDOM FRIDAY" message above and be entered to win this Red Ollie Epic Digital Watch from Precision Time. Plus, you'll get a voucher for a FREE Watch Cleaning. (Value $15) Sweet.

**If we get over 300 RT's, I'll throw in 2 more bonus prize packs that include a ...

Sottomarino Hat

Invicta Sun Tent (see below)

Fossil Journal (see below)

Marc Ecko Umbrella

Free Watch Cleaning

HOW IT HELPS:

Raising awareness. Collectively we can reach hundreds of thousands of people on Twitter today. If we push it, maybe even 1 million.

300 people RT x avg. 1,000 followers each = 300,000

1,000 people RT x avg. 1,000 followers each = 1,000,000

This topic can be a sad and depressing issue, but we have to remember to stay positive and have fun as we work to end slavery. I think RT contests are a blast and who doesn't like winning free stuff. Plus, wouldn't it be great if our message reached 1 million people.

FREEDOM FRIDAY GIVEAWAY: Win a Watch & Help us End Modern Slavery!

INTRODUCING FREEDOM FRIDAY!

I've decided to start a weekly giveaway called "FREEDOM FRIDAY." Every Friday I will run a contest on Twitter for a free gift. Here's how it works.


HOW TO ENTER:

Receive (1) entry into the drawing for every retweet (RT) of my "FREEDOM FRIDAY" message. I will post my RT message every Friday on Twitter.

PRIZES:
Prizes will vary from anti-slavery books, bumper stickers, watches and various swag donated from vendors.

HOW IT HELPS:

Raising awareness. Collectively we can reach hundreds of thousands of people on Twitter. Each RT message will focus on ending human trafficking and modern slavery. This topic can be a sad and depressing issue, but we have to remember to stay positive and have fun every once in a while. I think RT contests are a blast and who doesn't like winning free stuff.

WIN THIS WATCH ON FRIDAY!

Stay tuned for tomorrow's "FREEDOM FRIDAY" message and be entered to win this Red Digital Ollie Watch from Precision Time.

As you can tell from my Twitter and Blog colors, I'm a big fan of red. I think it symbolizes the essence of modern slavery and our fight to stop it.

Red invokes passion. Red portrays love. At the same time Red symbolizes pain and sorrow. We have to remember that love is our motivator in this work, which drives our passion to end the pain and sorrow of slavery.


HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Although this is free to the public, it's not free for me. I can always use donations of prizes and/or money. If you own a business or have access to promotional materials, let me know. I'm always happy to give away swag along with a plug for your company.

Thanks,
AbolitionistJB

WEBCAST TODAY: Senate Judiaciary Hearing on "Commercial Sex Tafficking in the USA"

Click on the image below to watch the Senate Judiciary meeting on commercial child sex trafficking in the USA. You will need to scroll 22 minutes into the video before it starts playing the actual meeting. (Thank you high quality government filming.)

The meeting is 1 hr. 20 minutes long, but everyone should watch it to stay informed about the progress being made in legislation. Plus, Senator Al Franken is part of the meeting. He's very sober, I mean somber, as a senator, but I still get a kick out of him.

CLICK IMAGE TO WATCH VIDEO

This group of Senators are pushing for new legislation to help protect child prostitutes from being arrested and tried rather than receiving proper aftercare. The meeting includes talks of creating more safe shelters, stricter punishment for traffickers and more.

A lot of poignant facts and statistics are shared in the meeting as well as testimonies from a number of groups and survivors. One point from the meeting really stuck out to me.

"If you make a difference with an aggressive approach in our country, it will help trying to deal with the international aspect of this problem."

- Senator Ron Wyden (Dem- Oregon)

How true this is. If we can attack this in the United States, it will create awareness, new legislation, more funding for programs here and worldwide. There's never been a better time than now to end slavery. Laws are on the books, groups are in place and awareness is building.

These Senators were brought to action after watching the documentary "Playground," written and directed by Libby SPear, produced by George Clooney. Hopefully this will serve as tipping point to end slavery in the USA and worldwide.

AUTHOR'S INVITATION:

Everyone I talk to about modern slavery agrees it's atrocious. Then they ask, "What can I do?" BE A VOICE. Spread awareness share these posts and videos with others. Collectively we can reach thousands of people. Creating awareness and making this an issue in the public mind WILL lead to CHANGE.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

~Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Will you accept my invitation? Will you be a voice?

Thank you,
John Burger

AbolitionisJB

FREE Full Length Movie "Human Trafficking" with Donald Sutherland

I came across this the other day on Youtube. The whole 3-hour mini-series is available on Youtube and divided into 19 clips.

The made for TV film received 2 Golden Globe nominations and aired on the Hallmark channel. It isn't necessarily graphic, but it shows suggestive material, violence and has some language. I would give it a PG-13ish rating and say it's not suitable for children.

From the start, you're immediately brought into the sickening horror these girls are forced to survive in. Some don't make it. The film does a good job of telling their story and tackling the issues of human trafficking. It shows how the girls are deceived and blackmailed into slavery, the learning curve of law enforcement and the fight to raise public awareness in the USA. If you have not seen it, it's well worth the watch.

This is Part 1 of Human Trafficking.
You can find the rest of the mini-series here on Youtube.

AUTHOR'S INVITATION:

Everyone I talk to about modern slavery agrees it's atrocious. Then they ask, "What can I do?" BE A VOICE. Spread awareness by sharing these posts and videos with others. Collectively we can reach thousands of people. Creating awareness and making this an issue in the public mind WILL lead to CHANGE.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

~Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Will you accept my invitation? Will you be a voice?

Thank you,
John Burger

AbolitionisJB

CBS News with David Batstone

This is a CBS News interview with David Batstone, author of Not For Sale, about human trafficking of children.

He clearly lays out how families and children are deceived into becoming slaves in the USA. He also shares some very good insights on how to recognize the signs of human trafficking and how to protect your family.

"If a kid runs away from home, within 48 hours they will be contacted by a trafficker. That's studied research."

-David Batstone

1. If you or someone you know has experienced human trafficking or is in a potential human trafficking situation – call us.
2. If you have information on a potential trafficking situation, we want to hear from you.

CALL THIS HOTLINE: 1-888-3737-888

This is the National Trafficking Hotline.
Open 24/7 365 days a year anywhere in the USA
Interpretation available

Your call could help get victims of human trafficking
out of exploitative and dangerous situations and into safety.

AUTHOR'S INVITATION:

Everyone I talk to about modern slavery agrees it's atrocious. Then they ask, "What can I do?" BE A VOICE. Spread awareness by sharing these posts and videos with others. Collectively we can reach thousands of people. Creating awareness and making this an issue in the public mind WILL lead to CHANGE.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

~Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Will you accept my invitation? Will you be a voice?

Thank you,
John Burger

AbolitionisJB

YOU CAN HELP: Know the signs and REPORT human trafficking

This video is a Public Service Announcement from United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UN.ODC). Here's how to get help for yourself and for others.

1. If you or someone you know has experienced human trafficking or is in a potential human trafficking situation – call us.
2. If you have information on a potential trafficking situation, we want to hear from you.

CALL THIS HOTLINE: 1-888-3737-888

This is the National Trafficking Hotline.
Open 24/7 365 days a year anywhere in the USA
Interpretation available

Your call could help get victims of human trafficking
out of exploitative and dangerous situations and into safety.

Learn to recognize the signs of human trafficking and forced slavery. It could be happening in your very own neighborhood and cities.

I highly suggest visiting www.crimereports.com to see an interactive map of reported crimes in your neighborhood. In addition, they keep an updated sex offender registry for all 50 states. This is a great tool for yourself and local neighborhood watch groups to be aware of criminal activity in your area. Where consistent drug and sex crimes take place, you can almost be certain human trafficking is nearby.

“Wherever drugs are being sold,
children are being sold.”

— Eileen Jacobs, FBI

AUTHOR'S INVITATION:

Everyone I talk to about modern slavery agrees it's atrocious. Then they ask, "What can I do?" BE A VOICE. Spread awareness share these posts and videos with others. Collectively we can reach thousands of people. Creating awareness and making this an issue in the public mind WILL lead to CHANGE.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

~Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Will you accept my invitation? Will you be a voice?

Thank you,

John Burger

AbolitionisJB

George Clooney produces documentary, "Playground"

This is the trailer for the documentary film, "Playground." It's written and directed by Libby Spears and produced by George Clooney. It addresses the sickening issue of child sex slavery here in the United States. I have not seen this documentary yet, but after watching this trailer I plan to when it becomes available. Here is a list of upcoming screenings.

“Playground is the best film I’ve seen on the abuse and exploitation of children. In the tradition of our greatest protest art, it is both aesthetically sophisticated and politically committed. Nuanced and sensitive, it avoids the usual sensationalism surrounding this topic. This is the untold story of an American underworld.”

— Zoe Trodd, Harvard University

Here are some quotes from the film shown on their website.
“Men fly into Atlanta, Georgia from all over the US to have sex with children they have purchased online. In a small, affluent, local golf community, the elementary school superintendent and local bookstore clerk are arrested on the same day in a sting operation by law enforcement officials seeking sex predators of children via the Internet.” — Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Roderick Long, 40, of Waco, Texas, was sending money to Angela McCullen in exchange for pornographic pictures of her 2-year-old daughter. Long later traveled across state lines perform sex acts on the girl.

— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Wherever drugs are being sold, children are being sold.”

— Eileen Jacobs, FBI

"For $1,500 you can rent a 10 year old for the weekend." — Portland, Oregon

AUTHOR'S INVITATION:

Everyone I talk to about modern slavery agrees it's atrocious. Then they ask, "What can I do?" BE A VOICE. Spread awareness by sharing these posts and videos with others. Collectively we can reach thousands of people. Creating awareness and making this an issue in the public mind WILL lead to CHANGE.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

~Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Will you accept my invitation? Will you be a voice?

Thank you,
John Burger

AbolitionisJB

2,000 Twitter Follower Giveaway. Win a Book!

WOO-HOO!!! We passed 2,000 Twitter followers in less than 1 week. Go team go!

CONGRATS TO @locopenelope !!! Winner of our 2K Follower Twitter Retweet Contest.

Now it's time for our Twitter Retweet Contest. Here's how it works. Retweet (RT) as many variations as you can think of of the message below. Each RT will count as an entry to the drawing. Just use the hashtag #IAMFREEDOM so I can track the entries.

THE TWITTER MESSAGE:
Help us end modern slavery with books. Here's how http://bit.ly/cTNok4. Here's why http://bit.ly/cPkEOh. #IAMFREEDOM

THE REWARD:
Not only do you get to help spread awareness of modern slavery, but you get a chance to win a free copy of "Ending Slavery," by Kevin Bales. (Author, Professor and President of www.freetheslaves.net)

VIDEO BOOK PREVIEW

This is a fantastic book that every abolitionist should have on their bookshelf and share with others. I highly recommend it to everyone trying to learn more about the issues of slavery today, the causes, the effects and viable solutions to end slavery worldwide. It's a very informational and practical approach to how we can change the world for the better.

So stay tuned and help us reach 2,000 followers!

Aaron Cohen, "The Slave Hunter," helps set slaves free

Here's a video of hope and freedom from Aaron Cohen and his organization, abolishslavery.org. Aaron was featured on CNN last week and recently published his book "Slave Hunter" with Christine Buckley. As I've said before, becoming aware of modern slavery can be disheartening and depressing. But we have to remember that there's hope and people are being freed one slave at a time.

This video gives you that glimmer of hope and as you see the joy of people who are freed. Love and hope must be our motivator in this work.

AUTHOR'S INVITATION:

Everyone I talk to about modern slavery agrees it's atrocious. Then they ask, "What can I do?" BE A VOICE. Spread awareness by sharing these posts and videos with others. Collectively we can reach thousands of people. Creating awareness and making this an issue in the public mind WILL lead to CHANGE.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

~Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Will you accept my invitation? Will you be a voice?

Thank you,
John Burger

AbolitionisJB

CNN report of Human trafficking and sex slavery from Mexico to the USA

This special report by CNN brings the problem close to home. There are an estimated 300,000+ slaves in the United States today. Government agencies estimate over 14,000 individuals are trafficked into the United Sates each year.

A man on the CNN forum argued that 300,000 was such a small percentage of the United States population and we were doing pretty good. Maybe, but that's still 300,000 people and most of them are minors. That's equivalent to...

• The total stadium attendance for 10 MLB baseball games.
• The number of people attending Disneyland over 9 days.
• The population of New Orleans, LA.
• The total number of children attending 500 elementary schools in the USA.

You can read more about this special report at CNN.com.

AUTHOR'S INVITATION:

Everyone I talk to about modern slavery agrees it's atrocious. Then they ask, "What can I do?" BE A VOICE. Spread awareness share these posts and videos with others. Collectively we can reach thousands of people. Creating awareness and making this an issue in the public mind WILL lead to CHANGE.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

~Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Will you accept my invitation? Will you be a voice?

Thank you,
John Burger

AbolitionisJB