SSTOP hosts "Stand for Freedom" to end human trafficking

Members of the University of Richmond organization, Students Stopping the Trafficking of People (SSTOP), hosted a 27-hour demonstration, "Stand for Freedom," in the University Forum to protest and share information about modern slavery.

The demonstration took place from Thursday, April 11 to Friday, April 12, over a period of 27 hours to honor the 27 million lives that are currently trapped in modern slavery, said senior Joell Maisano, a member of SSTOP. The demonstration, which featured performances, interactive stations, discussions and a keynote speaker, was hosted in conjunction with the national "Stand for Freedom" campaign launched by the International Justice Mission, Maisano said. Richmond is one of more than 300 college campuses throughout the country that is committed to standing for 27 hours, she said.

Members of SSTOP have been planning the demonstration since last semester, senior Addie Rauschert said. SSTOP decided to host "Stand" on Richmond's campus to educate peers and faculty members about human trafficking, she said.

"We hope that students recognize that slavery didn't just end with the Civil War," Rauschert said. "It doesn't just happen overseas; it's a problem facing the U.S. as well."

Although "Stand for Freedom" was organized by SSTOP, its members worked with other organizations such as Women Involved in Living and Learning, Images and Intervarsity to spread the word, Maisano said. SSTOP attained many of its resources and information through the Richmond Justice Initiative, a nonprofit organization founded and supervised by Sara Pomeroy, who served as keynote speaker.

Throughout the demonstration, attendees were given the opportunity to watch a documentary about human trafficking, sign petitions and make their own signs with a statistic about slavery today, Maisano said.

"We hope that the awareness from this event will change the trajectory of many students' lives," Maisano said.

In addition to "Stand," SSTOP has hosted multiple documentary screenings and discussion sessions to educate students about labor and sex trafficking throughout the semester, Maisano said. To get involved, contact Bethany Marcelle, president of SSTOP.

"We would love to see more students and staff committed to ending human slavery," Maisano said.

Contact report Gaby Calabrese at gaby.calabrese@richmond.edu