WHEREAS, human trafficking is modern day slavery and is a multi-billion dollar global crime against men, women and children who are held against their will and subjected to forced labor and other deprivations of freedom and dignity; and
WHEREAS, the victims of human trafficking are of every age, race, gender and nationality who have been abused, threatened and restrained to a point of being powerless to free themselves; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking is a hidden crime which can only be eradicated by an informed public supporting professional law enforcement and Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships which will bring the issues to the forefront of public awareness; and
WHEREAS, by educating ourselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking we can end this serious ongoing criminal civil rights violation.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Commission of the City of Sarasota, Florida, and on behalf of the citizens of our community, takes great pride in recognizing January 11, 2011 as
“The Global Human Trafficking Awareness Day” a day of special importance and worthy of the recognition of the citizens of the City of Sarasota.