by Rachel Rice

Imagine 27 million people holding hands. (enditmovement.com) That’s enough people to circle the globe. Now imagine those people in slavery. The average citizen thinks that slavery in the U.S. ended after the Civil War, but more than 60,000 people are held as slaves in the U.S. today. Slavery is extremely prevalent, yet most of our nation manages to turn a blind eye. Luckily there’s still hope for the enslaved. Much of this hope comes in the form of the End It Movement, a campaign for worldwide freedom where even the average student can become an activist for the cause of liberty.

The terms slavery and human trafficking tend to hold very different connotations for the general public; many fail to realize that human trafficking in itself is a form of slavery. Victims of trafficking are as young as their early teens, and their horror stories ring true.

“I broke my leg on the job by falling down the stairs,” a trafficking survivor said, who then continued to say that her boss told her she’d have to pay for every day that she missed (enditmovement.com).  Unfortunately this can’t begin to describe the adversity surrounding such situations.

“My only food was tea in the morning and a piece of bread at four in the afternoon,” another rescued victim said of her experience (enditmovement.com).

When victims such as these are rescued, it strengthens the beacon of hope. The End It Movement is spreading throughout the world. “I am free, and I love it,” the aforementioned victim said about her life after her rescue (enditmovement.com). Anyone who wants to be the voice of freedom can contribute to the cause many ways. The End It Movement encourages campaigning for freedom by drawing a red “X” on your hand so that people who notice can be educated about the movement. They also sell a variety of apparel promoting the movement, the money goes directly to the movement. If someone wished to learn more about how they could help, the End It website is the place to start (enditmovement.com). Even the average citizen can contribute to the wellbeing of 27 million slaves and counting.