Dear abolitionists,
We need your help at the Capitol today.
In July, we asked you to tell your U.S. senators to take a stand against slavery by supporting the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. Many of you did just that, and 15 senators are now officially sponsoring the bill. Your action brought us one step closer to victory.
Now it’s time to mobilize the House of Representatives. We need them to move quickly, and to make the same improvements in their bill that we’ve already asked for in the Senate.
Let’s break our connection to slavery! We need to remove it from the products we buy, the clothes we wear and the cars we drive. There are thousands of slaves in America and millions more around the world.
What can you do? Call or e-mail your U.S. representative. Urge them to support the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R.2830). It’s easy to find your representative’s contact info at the top right corner of the House of Representatives website.
Here’s what you can say to their receptionists, aides or voicemails:
“My name is ___ and I live in your district. I’m calling to ask the congressman / congresswoman to co-sponsor H.R.2830, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). I also want to ask him / her to strengthen the act, by requiring major companies to disclose on their websites and in annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission what they’re doing to end trafficking and slavery. The congressman / congresswoman can do this by including provisions of H.R.2759, the Business Transparency on Slavery and Trafficking Act, into the TVPRA.”
The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act ensures the U.S. will remain a world leader in combating slavery. It directs authorities to raid brothels and sweatshops, freeing slaves and prosecuting slaveholders. It enables rescue shelters and rehabilitation programs to operate, inside the U.S. and overseas. The act helps Free the Slaves conduct programs that you support in India and Haiti.
This landmark anti-slavery initiative was created by Congress 10 years ago, but the act expires soon and must be renewed. Any delay could jeopardize the remarkable progress the U.S. has made.
This critical legislation is pending right now. Your voice could make the difference in ensuring the U.S. continues to fight trafficking and slavery. Your representative needs to hear from you today.
Thanks for your continued support.
Karen Stauss
Director of Programs
Free the Slaves
