On June 14th, 2010, I attended the U.S. State Department's release of the 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report as an intern with Innocents at Risk. I was really excited to be there for such an important cause. After passing through security and waiting for awhile, we
click left to view reportwere taken in an elevator up to a beautiful floor in the State Department. We were invited to look around while we waited for the event to begin. I didn't get any good pictures because my camera phone seems to not be focusing all that well. I did get to see some cool stuff. I love old, historical objects that for me invoke the past so it was a kick to be able to see Thomas Jefferson's desk and a lap desk from another president (can't remember whose), original paintings of some of the president's and their first ladies and an original copy of the Declaration of Independence from the batch sent to all the signers of the document so it was hundreds of years old, Amazing. When my boss, Deborah Sigmund, Founder and Director of Innocents at Risk, arrived I shadowed her and she introduced me to people as we made our way around the room. Some of the NGO's (Non-Governmental Organizations) and Non-Profit people I had met at some other meetings but most I did not know. All the important players in anti-trafficking were there. The room was packed with hundreds of people. We ended up right in the front by the platform and soon it filled with the 2010 TIP heroes (people who are honored from around the world for fighting slavery in their country), Hillary Clinton,
Ambassador de Baca,
etc. There were a lot of TV stations, cameras, and reports there as well. All of the speeches were exciting but I loved seeing these 2010 TIP heroes who put there lives on the lines daily to save trafficking victims! We also went out onto the balcony at the State Building and there was an amazing view.
This is an important movie coming out that shows the sexual trafficking happening NOW. It uses hidden cameras to go inside the brothels and show what is really happening in them. The website for REDLIGHT also includes all the credits (like Lucy Lui) and some resources.
Ambassador de Baca,
etc. There were a lot of TV stations, cameras, and reports there as well. All of the speeches were exciting but I loved seeing these 2010 TIP heroes who put there lives on the lines daily to save trafficking victims! We also went out onto the balcony at the State Building and there was an amazing view.
