Local Chattanooga businesses and nonprofit organizations including Humanist Hospitality, Her Song, the Family Justice Center, Love’s Arm, Street Grace, and Willowbend Farms will convene at the Aloft -Chattanooga Hamilton Place for the Red Sand Project on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. to raise awareness for human trafficking. Cracks in the sidewalk will be filled with red sand, creating a striking visual that will create opportunities for people to question, connect and take action against vulnerabilities that can lead to human trafficking and exploitation.
Human trafficking affects thousands of people a day, all over the world. The U.S. state department estimates that over 199,000 incidents occur within the United States every year. Often, human trafficking goes unnoticed as it is difficult to tell when an individual is being trafficked.
The Red Sand Project was created by Molly Gochman, an experimental artist and activist based in New York City who works around the world to raise awareness and understanding of issues like human trafficking. Jenelle Hawkins, director of Engagement, Innovation & Wellbeing for Humanist Hospitality hopes that the event will present Humanist with opportunities to get involved in training and prevention.
“Humanist Hospitality is looking forward to not only speaking out against human trafficking on behalf of the hotel industry, but to forging new partnerships with local organizations that already have incredible dedication and resources when it comes to helping victims and offering training," said Ms. Hawkins. "The more the community comes together, the more we can together put a stop to human trafficking."
The public is invited to join Thursdayat the Aloft Chattanooga Hamilton Place to raise awareness for this injustice that is too prevalent in our communities, our country, and our world.