An organization called the END IT Movement started a trend #enditmovement on social media on Friday, highlighting the issue of ending modern-day slavery around the world.
The campaign, which is raising awareness and asking for donations for a third year in a row, is being run by a coalition of the world's leading organizations in the fight for freedom. According to a release on PRNewswire, END IT is comprised of 16 coalition partners who attempt to bring public awareness, prevention, rescue and restoration to those trapped in slavery.
"The global response and groundswell from the first two years of the movement left us speechless," Jenni Brown, END IT Movement Campaign Director, said. "Social media has provided us the ideal platform to raise awareness for modern-day slavery by connecting ordinary people with the issue and encouraging them to become freedom fighters."
This year, END IT declared Feb. 27 as "Shine a Light on Slavery Day." The organization also launched a new platform, 27x7, to spread the word and ask for donations to their cause in ending slavery.
"[27x7] allows END IT supporters to create their own team of Freedom Fighters by recruiting 27 friends, family members, coworkers, neighbors and acquaintances," PRNewswire wrote. "The goal is to encourage each team member to give $7 and create a team of their own, triggering a ripple effect throughout communities, banding together and raising money for each of END IT's coalition partners and funding specific projects around the world."
The END IT Movement elaborated on its website how it will spread its message on social media sites, most notably on Twitter. The organization provided instructions to those interested in participating.
"Draw a red 'X' on your hand," END IT wrote. "Take a selfie showing your red X. Post your pic [and] tag [with] #enditmovement."
The organization had a specific definition for slavery, according to PRNewswire.
"END IT recognizes slavery is one person completely controlling another person, using violence or the threat of violence to maintain that control," PRNewswire wrote.
The END IT Movement elaborated on its website on some of the activities it will pursue around the world to combat slavery with the donations.
"Train 20,000 tourism professionals in the United States on how to identify cases of trafficking," END IT wrote. "Fund a program in Southeast Asia to care for rescued victims and ensure they are not re-trafficked. Fund restoration through counseling, legal assistance and job readiness for 12 women for one year."
The organization also hopes to "partner with five companies to help them protect their supply chains from slavery" and fund a health care center in India "that will provide care for over 1,000 women living in the red light district."
According to PRNewswire, some members of Congress have tied in efforts with the social media movement. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will introduce bipartisan legislation that is "aimed at turning awareness into action through The End Modern Slavery Initiative Act of 2015."
According to the organization's website, other participating "Coalition Partners" involved in this effort included the Salvation Army, World Relief, World Vision, and Free the Slaves.
"Each of our Coalition Partners is focused on a different step of the journey towards FREEDOM," END IT Movement wrote.
