Show your Support

Dear Virginia Blogger,

On Thursday, April 7th, Senator Webb of Virginia is calling a hearing to review the work of the State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) in East Asia. We want your help in thanking the Senator for holding this hearing as well as conveying our support for the TIP Office’s critical work to fight human trafficking worldwide. It is crucial that the Senator hear from you, his constituent, to k...now Virginians care about U.S. leadership in the fight against modern-day slavery.

The TIP Office’s annual TIP Report spotlights gaps in countries’ response to slavery and trafficking, and provides help to address those weaknesses. The Report encourages governments to free slaves and trafficking victims, bring perpetrators to justice, and deter the crime. IJM has seen the positive impact of the TIP Office firsthand.

Will you help flood Senator Webb’s office with phone calls to convey support for the TIP Office on April 6?

Making a call is easy: You can reach Senator Webb’s office at (202) 224-4024,
 and use this sample script:

Hi, my name is [Your Name] and I’m calling from [Your City], VA. I’d like to thank Senator Webb for holding this important hearing on the crime of slavery and trafficking around the world on April 7th and would just like to convey my support for the good work of the TIP office. Would you pass my message along to the Senator? Thanks!
Thank you for lending your voice to support the TIP Office so they can continue fighting on behalf of children, women, and men in bondage around the world.

Gratefully,

Annick Febrey

Program Coordinator, Government Relations

Barefoot

                       Can you go one day without shoes?

In many developing countries, children must walk barefoot for miles to school, clean water and medical care.

I am going through my day without wearing shoes. Join me!

Maria, Age 10, Guatemala

Why Shoes:

Mountainous and muddy terrain makes

farming difficult, both physically and

economically, and Maria has never owned

a pair of new shoes. This leaves her exposed

to infection, intestinal worms, and cold weather illness.

Long-term Benefit:

With additional protection from illness and

infection, Maria can spend more days helping

her family and building her potential in school.

Blessings
Charity for
        

Take a stand.

Just recently, I found out that 

President Obama has instructed Attorney General Eric Holder and the Justice Department to no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the federal courts.

DOMA passed in 1996 with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 342-67 in the House and 85-14 in the Senate and was later signed into law by President Bill Clinton. House Speaker John Boehner vows that the House will defend the law.*

Christians need to understand this complicated issue and prepare themselves for another battle in the war over traditional marriage.


Just today, as I was reading through the news, I feel upon an article in response to Pres. Obama's decision:

Just weeks after the Obama administration announced it would no longer legally defend the Defense of Marriage act, some of the president's biggest Hollywood supporters have signed a letter urging him to go a step further and legalize same-sex marriage.

Anne Hathaway, Martin Sheen, Jane Lynch and Ellen DeGeneres are among the actors who have signed an open letter sponsored by Freedom to Marry, a New York-based advocacy group working to promote marriage rights for same-sex couples.**
Can you believe it? Anne Hathaway, along with many other actors we know are urging Obama to support same-sex marriage. 
Can it get worse?


Now, dear readers, I urge you to take a stand. 
Do something to stop this.


Post about these articles on Facebook and blogging. 

Sign the "The Manhattan Declaration" and get more updates on current issues going on in our country.
Blog about Manhattan Declaration.
Read other pieces from those who are taking a stand against this.


For you girls, I encourage you to write Anne Hathaway***. 
For me, I used to admire Anne Hathaway. But her taking a stand for same-sex marriage has really lowered my view of her.
Write her and tell her what you think. Write multiple times. 
Blog about it and encourage others to write.


We may be but one person, but one person is more than none.


Take a stand. 
Tell others.
Don't let this go unanswered.


"God has a plan to help bring justice to the world, and His plan is us."
-Gary Haugen
Pres. of IJM


Seek Him First,
Charity Anne for

*Manhattan Declaration article 

**Yahoo article

*** Anne Hathaway's Address'

Fan Mail Address: Anne Hathaway Management 360 9111 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90210 USA Address Information: Management 360 (Talent Management Company) 9111 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90210 USA Phone: Fax: (310) 272-0070

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

 National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Time      Saturday, January 1 at 12:00am - February 1 at 11:30pm

Location               The USA

Created By          Alan Carrillo, Gracy Howard

More Info          

On 22 December 2010, President Barack Obama and The White House proclaimed January 2011 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

"Although the United States has made great strides in preventing the occurrence of modern slavery, prosecuting traffickers and dismantling their criminal networks, and protecting victims and survivors, our work is not done. We stand with those throughout the world who are working every day to end modern slavery, bring traffickers to justice, and empower survivors to reclaim their rightful freedom. 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 combat this crime within our borders and join with our partners around the world to end this injustice." 

 - President Barack Obama

(http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/22/presidential-proclamation-national-slavery-and-human-trafficking-prevent)

Please take advantage of this opportunity to EDUCATE YOURSELF and EDUCATE OTHERS on the problem of human trafficking and modern slavery. The fight against injustice is a long and tedious fight. But victory is possible! In short, education leads to awareness, awareness fights demand, and reduced demand reduces supply.

READ the Department of State's "Trafficking in Persons Report 2010" which included the USA in its findings for the first time.

DO ONLINE SEARCHES FOR ORGANIZATIONS like The International Justice Mission, Free the Slaves, Abolish Slavery (w/ Aaron Cohen), The DNA Foundation, Love146, Amnesty International, Polaris Project, Not For Sale Campaign, Shared Hope International, Loose Change to Loosen Chains, The U.S. State Department, etc. and FIND OPPORTUNITIES to work, intern, and get involved.

READ BOOKS like "A Crime So Monstrous" by E. Benjamin Skinner, "Modern Slavery" by Kevin Bales, "Good News about Injustice" and "Just Courage" by Gary Haugen, "Slave Hunter" by Aaron Cohen, and others.

TELL OTHERS.

SPEAK UP. SEEK JUSTICE. Proverbs 31:8-9.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE TO SPREAD THE WORD! :)

BE THE CHANGE. 

Take a Stand,
Charity Anne for 

(Photo from: http://utweet.it/featured-articles/human-trafficking-combating-it-through-the-dna-foundation/)