MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (ANFINSON) -- The topic of slavery may be history to some, but it’s a living reality for others. Unfortunately, slavery still exists--even in our own backyard. One group of activists is doing their part to "End It" for good.
A 2011 report by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation found that Human Sex Trafficking has been reported in 85 percent of the counties in Tennessee. The average age of a sex trafficking victim is just 13.
Statistics like these have given birth to the End-It-Movement. End-It is a national awareness campaign and Tuesday, April 9, was their national "Shine a Light on Slavery Day."
One group of End-It volunteers set up a display on the campus of M-T-S-U in front of Walker Library. Their symbol is a striking red x, which they encourage people to wear or display in solidarity with the movement. Volunteer Erik Wallin said they’re doing their part to shine a light on the problem locally.
"Twenty-seven million people are still enslaved whether it’s through sex trafficking, sweatshops. You know here and all across the world. And um, surprisingly Nashville is a really big hub for it, um, because of the interstate section."
You can visit ENDITMOVEMENT.COMfor more information.