Thank You!

Thank you for coming to Washington's inaugural HTE event in Olympia!

Many who've worked at the Capitol for years said they've never seen an event that well attended, in that room, with only 2 months preparation. I believe this is proof that the movement to stand against human trafficking in our state is spreading like wildfire amongst the grassroots community, not to mention increased awareness with state officials. There were nearly 150 people in attendance with standing room only and 41 out of the 49 legislative districts received "awareness packets" from event attendees. For many who attended, it was their first trip to an event at the Capitol; I commend you for standing up for what you believe and making the necessary sacrifices to get there. Let's keep up the momentum that HTE has set in motion!

The follow up for this event is JUST as important as attending. The following are ways to take action and continue to send the message to our state lawmakers that human trafficking is something you care about and would like them to care about too. Please participate in one or more of the following ways:
1. Contact your legislator and tell them you are deeply concerned about Human Trafficking in Washington State. Ask them to support Sen. Kohl-Welles' bill number 6330 which would permit human trafficking informational posters in rest areas. Visit www.leg.wa.gov to find your legislator--it's easy.
2. Stop human trafficking along I-5. Volunteer to hang posters at one or more gas stations along I-5. For instructions: http://seattleagainstslavery.org/campaigns.aspx
3. If you delivered legislative packets on Monday, please email info@washingtonhte.com and report your name and which district you were assigned so we can assign follow up.
4. Get your churches, civic groups, families and friends to participate and help us make grassroots activation effective.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your participation and on-going investment to end human trafficking. Unified we can make progress.
Very Sincerely,
Deana Berg
Event Organizer
Washington Human Trafficking Engagement Day
www.washingtonHTE.comwww.SeattleAgainstSlavery.org

The Slave Trade in South Africa

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1952335,00.html?artId=1952335?contType=article?chn=us

Greg Mortenson's Presentation for Seattle Public Libraries

If you were not able to make it to SPU to hear the author of Three Cups of Tea and Stones Into Schools in December, here is a link to the recording of his speech. Some of you may be among those who arrived after all of the seating and standing room had been filled (a very rare occurrence at SPU/for SPL).

http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=collection_podcasts

If you are interested in reading either of Mortenson's books, both are sold on Amazon and Overstock.

Enjoy!

EWOP Meeting!

ALL EWOP MEETING
(Interested in joining? We would love to meet you. All are welcome!)

THURSDAY, January 14th at 7pm at Overlake Christian Church
Lobby Classrooms 1&2
(the classroom next to the coffee cart - we will have plenty of signage)

We will be going through a number of exciting things:
*Brief explanation of the who, what, why, when of EWOP for all of our new members
*Update on all of our 2009 goals and whether we've met them
*Introduction to our next big (and exciting!) project
*Description of different ways to get involved in our group
*Freedom Stones update...and necklaces :)
*An update on all things "Tee Off Against Trafficking".

JANUARY 11!

Dear Supporters,

President Obama signed a proclamation on January 4, 2010 declaring January as the "National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month." One of the major highlights this month is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day this Monday, January 11! Help Polaris Project use this day to spread awareness and create action in the fight against modern day slavery. On Monday we will send out news, information, and updates about the issue and Polaris Project's work through all of our social networking sites. Please help us spread the word about human trafficking to your own networks!

How You Can Get Involved:

North Star Blog: Make sure to read our blog about the importance and significance of Human Trafficking Awareness Day! You can share this blog posting on Facebook, tweeting on Twitter, and emailing friends and family.

Twitter: On January 11 Polaris Project will tweet facts and information about human trafficking every hour! Follow Polaris Project and re-tweet messages to make a bigger impact!

Facebook: Join us in changing your Facebook profile picture (to the one above) in solidarity against human trafficking. Talk about it online and get the buzz going that slavery still exists and that with everyone's help we can help bring it to an end! Make sure to check our status updates on Monday, January 11.

Change.org: Participate in the Human Trafficking Awareness Day Fundraising Project! Or, to personalize your efforts, start your own fundraising page!

Action Center: Check out the Action Center for all of the information regarding January 11 Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

We will also have a petition available that you can sign and pledge your commitment to help us end modern day slavery. Everyone who signs the petition automatically will be entered in a drawing to win a free gift: Polaris Project t-shirt, bumper sticker, or button! Winners will be announced on National Freedom Day (February 1) via email.

Mark your calendars for this upcoming campaign! As always we are truly grateful for your support.

Sincerely, Johanna Olivas: Program Associate, Public Outreach and Communications

WA Human Trafficking Engagement Day: January 11

Are you interested in helping win the fight against human trafficking?

WE NEED YOU NEXT MONDAY, JANUARY 11th! This is an invitation to make the worth-while trip to Olympia on Monday to come to Washington State’s FIRST EVER Washington Human Trafficking Engagement Day! We have invited state legislators, state officials and many others working against human trafficking and we need YOU, the grass roots force expressing the need for more work to stop human trafficking in our state! Come and show your support and solidarity simply by attending this important and momentous event in our state.

WHEN: Monday January 11,2010
TIME:
Registration: 8:30-9:00 AM
Speakers: 9:00-10:00 AM
Advocacy: 10:00-11:00 AM
PLACE:
The Columbia Room in the Capitol Building, Olympia, WA
(http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Parking.aspx)

To RSVP and for more details, please visit: www.washingtonHTE.com

White House Press Release

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
January 04, 2010

Presidential Proclamation - National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

A PROCLAMATION

The United States was founded on the principle that all people are born with an unalienable right to freedom -- an ideal that has driven the engine of American progress throughout our history. As a Nation, we have known moments of great darkness and greater light; and dim years of chattel slavery illuminated and brought to an end by President Lincoln's actions and a painful Civil War. Yet even today, the darkness and inhumanity of enslavement exists. Millions of people worldwide are held in compelled service, as well as thousands within the United States. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we acknowledge that forms of slavery still exist in the modern era, and we recommit ourselves to stopping the human traffickers who ply this horrific trade.

As we continue our fight to deliver on the promise of freedom, we commemorate the Emancipation Proclamation, which became effective on January 1, 1863, and the 13th Amendment, which was sent to the States for ratification on February 1, 1865. Throughout the month of January, we highlight the many fronts in the ongoing battle for civil rights -- including the efforts of our Federal agencies; State, local, and tribal law enforcement partners; international partners; nonprofit social service providers; private industry and nongovernmental organizations around the world who are working to end human trafficking.

The victims of modern slavery have many faces. They are men and women, adults and children. Yet, all are denied basic human dignity and freedom. Victims can be abused in their own countries, or find themselves far from home and vulnerable. Whether they are trapped in forced sexual or labor exploitation, human trafficking victims cannot walk away, but are held in service through force, threats, and fear. All too often suffering from horrible physical and sexual abuse, it is hard for them to imagine that there might be a place of refuge.

We must join together as a Nation and global community to provide that safe haven by protecting victims and prosecuting traffickers. With improved victim identification, medical and social services, training for first responders, and increased public awareness, the men, women, and children who have suffered this scourge can overcome the bonds of modern slavery, receive protection and justice, and successfully reclaim their rightful independence.

Fighting modern slavery and human trafficking is a shared responsibility. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking. Together, we can and must end this most serious, ongoing criminal civil rights violation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2010 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in the annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery, and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA