Coalition launches human trafficking PSA campaign in New York’s Times Square

February 11, 2011---The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST), a coalition of 11 leading human rights and anti-slavery organizations in the U.S., today announced a public campaign to raise awareness of modern-day slavery and encourage support for a key anti-trafficking law as it comes up for renewal.

Human trafficking is one of the world’s fastest-growing criminal industries. Tens of millions of people are enslaved around the world in debt bondage, forced labor, child labor, sex trafficking and other modern manifestations of this ancient scourge. Some is hidden, some in plain sight.

Public service announcements titled “Slavery Lives” will debut today in New York City’s Times Square. The 15-second spots will appear through April 12 on the CBS Super Screen located at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue. The spots can also be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irGHKfbMnYs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0XBAszXNCU

In the coming months, the Obama administration and Congress will debate renewal of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), the cornerstone of U.S. efforts to combat human trafficking in the United States and around the world.

Viewers of the PSA are encouraged to learn more and advocate through the campaign website www.slaverylives.org.

About the Alliance to End Slavery & Trafficking
ATEST is a diverse alliance of U.S.-based human rights organizations acting in unity to end modern-day slavery and human trafficking, both at home and abroad. Founded by Humanity United in 2007, ATEST is currently composed of the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST), the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), ECPAT-USA, Free the Slaves, International Justice Mission, Not for Sale Campaign, Polaris Project, Safe Horizon, Solidarity Center, Vital Voices Global Partnership, World Vision, and former U.N. Goodwill Ambassador Julia Ormond, president and founder of the Alliance to Stop Slavery and End Trafficking (ASSET). Learn more at http://www.endslaveryandtrafficking.org.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org