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West Texans Shine Light On Modern Day Slavery
West Texans Shine Light On Modern Day Slavery 9/22/12
fbolton@cbs7.com
CBS 7 News Reporter
September 22, 2012
MIDLAND, TX - Hundreds of west Texans made their steps count today as they walked to bring light to what they say is modern day slavery.
They are stomping on child trafficking by raising awareness through their "Stop Child Trafficking Now Walk”. Runners took their marks but their prize isn’t one of gold; instead it was of awareness.
"It’s not a cause that we're aware of. No one is standing up; no one is saying that this is a big deal. I think it's good for us, to come together and to recognize this cause …to recognize that there's people hurting," said runner Aaron Moroles.
"It’s an issue that's going on around the world. It's not just overseas or somewhere else. It's actually going on here,” said Joe Moroles, a runner in the event.
About 100 runners took off at the walk, spreading the message of child trafficking. It’s an issue they say is happening right here in west Texas. Child trafficking is child recruitment or smuggling through force.
"Over 1 million children are trafficked in the U.S. each year. Twenty-five percent of that is in Texas. alone and also the I-10 highway is one of the major trafficking routes," said Kyla Stearns.
Through this walk, they're hoping to open other's eyes on child trafficking one step at a time.
"We need to raise awareness so that people know that it's happening…. and find a way to educate our law enforcement and medical professionals," said Stearns.
The group raised more than $1,900 at the walk today.