BEAUMONT, Texas — "Walk For Freedom" is a global awareness and fundraising event put on by an organization called A21. It's a response to human trafficking, and an outward expression of an inward desire to see slavery abolished everywhere, forever.
Saturday, October 19th, will be the second year for southeast Texans to participate in the walk in Beaumont. The event will take place at Westgate Baptist Church (6520 Westgate Drive), and go from 9 to 11 a.m. There's no fee to register, but you can give a donation. You can also register the morning of at the event.
Register:
Carrie P is the host for the walk in Beaumont. She first became passionate about the fight against human trafficking when she was 18-years-old. She watched a documentary called "Nefarious Merchant of Souls," and it showed her the big picture of what trafficking looks like overseas.
"It made me angry, so angry, because I just couldn't understand how this could be happening on our watch, you know? Capable people, and it's not being stopped," Carrie said.
Since then, she's been dedicated to being a voice for the voiceless. Carrie is committed to living her life in a way that speaks freedom for the girls and women who have lived through it.
"I know there have been women who have been abused and taken advantage of, and who will not speak up against their perpetrators, so I have been committed that for as long as I have breath, I'm going to speak for those women who feel like they don't have voices," Carrie explained.
She first heard about the "Walk For Freedom" in 2016, and participated for the first time in 2017 in Baytown. Knowing a number of people passionate about the cause right here in Beaumont, Carrie decided to bring the event here last year.
"Their (A21) motto is to abolish slavery in the 21st century," Carrie said.
It's a silent walk, with the goal of getting people talking, and raising awareness. Carrie wants people to ask what they're doing and why they're doing it. She also hopes to point people to local organizations, like Harvest House and Hope Women's Resource Center, to get them involved in volunteering.
Last year they had about 50 participants, with the goal for this year to be even bigger. Throughout the walk, people did stop and ask what they were doing. Once they learned what the event was for, Carrie said they often questioned if trafficking was happening in southeast Texas.
"What people don't know is yes, it's a huge issue," Carrie explained.
Because Beaumont is close to the I-10 corridor and Houston, Carrie said it's happening more than we realize. Houston is the number one city for trafficking in the state of Texas.
Trafficking in southeast Texas is much different than what you might see in the movies. At the Harvest House, Carrie said they advocate for internet safety.
"People think, 'oh that's not going to happen to me,' but that's just exactly where people are wrong," Carrie said.
In reality, Carries said predators, traffickers, pimps and Johns are looking for vulnerable young girls to be vulnerable with them. They build a relationship with the girls, and overtime earn their trust.
"Because they're smart, and they know they have to wait for their game," Carrie explained.
They get the girls talking and opening up to break down walls they might initially have up. Before you know it, Carrie said they're asking for photos, which progresses to asking for "favors." If the girls decline, it turns into threats of telling their parents about the photos.
"The name of the game is to manipulate and to trick these girls into thinking that they don't have a way out, and there's nothing more for them outside of this life, which is absolutely not true," Carrie continued.
Things parents can watch out for is if their child is being inconspicuous about a boyfriend or girlfriend they're seeing. Carrie encourages parents to ask questions, get into their social media accounts, and make sure you know who is talking to your child. Asking questions like if they know every person on their Instagram or Facebook is a good way to start the conversation. Let them know if they don't, they should.
"Then explain to them how the dangers may not seem very close to home, but they're very close to home," Carrie said.
Another thing to watch out for is a friend who's controlling or has jealous tendencies. If they're a little over the top in trying to be protective, question that relationship. Carrie said you just never know.
"Traffickers don't know age, you know, race, creed, religion, none of that," she explained, "If they're doing these things, exhibiting signs of trafficking, it's better to ask too many questions and be annoying than to not ask the questions and then have a really bad situation on your hands."
The walk will help educate people in southeast Texas on what trafficking looks like here. Participants will get to ask questions, and get to see the local impact first hand. Carrie said every dollar donated will help A21. If they raise $5,000, it will go toward starting a hot line in Africa. It could also go toward helping a girl who wants to prosecute her trafficker get traction for her case.
"Simply put, why should you participate? Because it gets people talking," she said.
While you're walking, Carrie said you're holding a poster and listening to the A21 2019 podcast. The podcast tells stories of freedom, giving participants a look into why they're doing what they're doing. They'll also hear what kind of impact A21 had made globally.
"The poster will have a stat of some kind, it will say 'slavery is still happening,' or like, 'end injustice today," Carrie said.
Everyone is invited to participate in the walk. Several churches are already involved, along with people from all walks of life.
"I think when girls are rescued they don't think, 'now did the Christians rescue me?' 'Who rescued me exactly?" she said, "No they think, that man, that woman, those people helped get me freedom, and I'm so thankful for that.
So far, they have 64 people pre-registered. Before the walk begins, they'll draw two names and those people will win an A21 t-shirt. You do not have to register ahead of time. They have more information on their Instagram.
"One person may not be able to make a dent in the issue, but together we can do so much more than we think," Carrie said.
If you can't attend the event tomorrow, but still want to get involved, Carrie encourages you to volunteer at Harvest House. You can find information on when to get volunteer training on their website.
