11 Last Minute Human Trafficking Awareness Day Activities

As some of you may already know, today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day! For those of you who have already made awareness-spreading plans, good luck and may the force (of freedom) be with you! For those of you who may have left things to the last minute, don't worry, we all procrastinate from time to time.  I've put together a list of 11 things you can do today, without any prior planning, to celebrate and participate in National Human Trafficking Awareness Day!

1. Catch a Movie with Some Friends. Call up your friends and invite them to watch a film about human trafficking, either at your place or a nearby theater if one is playing.  Here's a list of some good human trafficking films to watch.

2. Teach Others to "Look Beneath the Surface". The Department of Health and Human Services has free fact sheet for download on their website. Print some out, take them to a public place and start handing them out!

3. Call Your Mom. The only thing your mom likes better than a phone call from you is a phone call from you telling her about something you care about.  So give your mom (or another family member) a call today, thank her for everything she's done for you, and tell her how she can help people around the world be free.

4. Write a Poem About Slavery. If you're feeling creative, write a poem, song or short story about modern-day slavery and post it to this blog.  If you've got a video camera at your disposal, consider making a short film.  You can help inspire others to take action against slavery.

5. Go Shopping. Check out your local Ten Thousand Villages, which is a fair trade store featuring arts and crafts that empower artisans around the world, making them less vulnerable to human trafficking.   If there's no store near you, shop online.  When you show off your new goodie, you can also promote fair trade shopping.

6. Write to your Governor. First, research the anti-trafficking laws in your state.  Then, write a letter to your governor and let her or him know how those laws could be improved, and why human trafficking is an important issue in your state.

7. Clean Out Your Closet with Friends. You know those pants that don't quite fit anymore, or that blouse that Grandma gave you for Christmas?  You could turn clothes you don't wear into an outfit for trafficked or at-risk men, women and children.  Clean them, bag them up and take them to a local anti-trafficking NGO.  Ask your friends to help you out and tell them why you're cleaning.

8. Take Action. Help us raise awareness through Change.org by pledging to take one of the actions listed on the Actions page of this website.

9. Look for a Teachable Moment. Keep your eyes and ears open for teachable moments in conversation today and jump in.  Ask people if they know where the products they buy really come from.

10. Write a Letter to the Editor. Look through your local newspaper to see if they've covered human trafficking recently.  If they have, let them know what you think of their coverage, positive or negative.  If not, ask them to look into trafficking in your community.

11. Share This Blog. One easy way to spread human trafficking awareness is to share this blog.  Post the address as your Facebook status or on your MySpace page today. Yammer it, Twitter it, Podcast it, blog it. Heck, even do things the old-fashioned way and email it around.  Then, share your thoughts and ideas on how to abolish slavery by commenting on this blog.  We are all witing ot hear from you.

So now that you have no excuse for inaction today, take up the mantle of freedom and go educate the world!