Walking For Love Of Children: Stop Sex Trafficking

The “Hope Revolution Walkathon to Help Stop Child Slavery and Sex Trafficking” is slated to take place on October 13. The walkathon, which is organized to support the internationally active non-profit, Love146, is in its fourth year.

Organizer Leanora Ortiz hopes the event will help raise awareness in Bay Ridge and Brooklyn at large as to the severity of the problem of child slavery and sex trafficking. “It’s amazing how many people don’t know about it,” she said, “but child slavery and sex trafficking is even happening right here in Bay Ridge.”

Ortiz has participated in all four of the walkathons. According to her, last year’s attendance topped 75, and this year she hoping for better. In addition to members of Love 146, a number of youth groups from all over the tri-state area are participating.

Ortiz said that the walkathon is an incredibly important event for Love 146. The group, who recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, was formed to combat child slavery and sex trafficking worldwide and has taken efforts that include setting up safe houses in underdeveloped countries.

According to Ortiz though, with the increasing occurrence of such problems right here at home, the organization is beginning to focus its efforts domestically as well.

“Kids are kidnapped and drugged in the U.S. Some have even been taken right from under their parents’ noses. It’s hard to believe this is happening here, but it is,” she said. Love 146 has already set up educational programs in U.S. schools to teach about child slavery and sex trafficking.

The walkathon will start at 99 Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway, and head to the waterfront. From there, participants will make a stop on the 69th Street Pier to hand out informational flyers and explain what they’re walking for. After circling back to 101st Street, they will end the walkathon with a group lunch at St. John’s Church. Registration starts at 9:15 a.m., and the walk begins at 10 a.m.

For further information, go to http://love146.kintera.org/fourthhr

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