A Threefold 'Thank You' to Los Angeles
Dear Los Angeles: I'm Thankful For...
-thumb-110x110-213475.jpg)
A Photo Gallery of the Things I am Grateful for This Year
I LOVE L.A.! My Thanksgiving Thanks
10 Random Albums To Be Thankful For
Can you "freeze" for five minutes to raise awareness about human trafficking? Photo by susan catherine via LAist Photo Pool.
Take the concept behind Improv Everywhere and their guerilla style gatherings in public places (like the no pants subway ride) and add an element of activism and a desire to fight social injustices, and you have The Freeze Project.
On Saturday, at 4:30pm, participants will gather at Hollywood and Highland to 'freeze' for 5 minutes to raise awareness about human trafficking. The Freeze Project strives to raise social awareness "not through 'in your face' protests, but by a different kind of activism that creates experiences in public space that are 'fun, non-intrusive….and inclusive.'"
According to the US State Department, 600,000-800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across borders every year. Approximately 80 per cent are women and girls. Up to 50% are minors. UNICEF estimates that 1.2 million children are trafficked yearly. Shockingly, human trafficking in the second largest source of illegal income worldwide exceeded only by drugs trafficking. There are even reports that some trafficking groups are switching their cargo from drugs to human beings, in a search for high profits at lower risk.
Check out a video from a recent freeze project that took place on the Santa Monica Promenade last month.
Join the Freeze project:
Location*: 6801 Hollywood Blvd. (Corner of Hollywood & Highland), Los Angeles, CA
*Meeting Location before the Freeze: Las Palmas Senior Citizen Center, 1820 Las Palmas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028. PLEASE MEET AT THE PARK BY 4:30 PM.
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
oh god,
another group of slacktivists who thinks that they can make a difference by doing NOTHING.
srsly, this whole notion of "raising awareness" does more harm than anything else.
how about instead of freezing (hanging out at the promenade), you go actually volunteer your time to actually help your cause.
how about instead of freezing, you stop being a hypocrite by not buying ur clothes from companies that induce human trafficking.
how about just stop and lower ur facade. this "feel good" self satisfaction BS must stop.
if you want to make a real difference, put effort into your cause.
you "raising awareness" in the middle of SANTA MONICA while wearing your sweat shop made nike dunks is NOT GOING TO STOP ANYTHING. you just look like a tool.
@ kimsoner: AMEN to that.
@Kimsoner,
It's quite opposite of what you think it is. We actually help to not only raise awareness, but many of the participants volunteer regularly at great organizations. In fact, we've also helped to open up shelters for trafficking victims.
A lot of us also promote and practice ethical purchasing. Maybe it's not everyone, but each time we meet up, it's an opportunity to inform another person.
Thanks for judging us before even getting to know us. If you ever want to chat by phone or meet up, I'm available for a more respectable conversation.
Now, what do you do? Just curious.
I apologize for jumping the gun so soon. Your website says nothing other than when, where, and how to start these freeze events and doesn't really show how it helps. it does refer viewers to sites such as amnesty international so i gotta give you credit there.
as far as what i do,
i work for a certain county doing environmental planning and engineering. I am a bicycle commuter and advocate. I grow my own food, I try my hardest not to support harmful companies, and donate my hard earned money to charities who i believe actually use the money for good.
you know, maybe you guys are alright, it seems like you guys do try to make a difference. i would say some of your efforts could be put to better use. but you must admit that with all these groups "raising awareness" for just about everything, you can't help but be skeptical.
Thanks for the note @kimsoner.
First of all, I'm glad to hear that you live out your values. I really appreciate people like you.
I completely understand your skepticism...no worries. In fact, I too become skeptical at times.
Do you have a website of your work? Love to read more. Thanks! :)
I'm glad that we both see each other's POV.
I understand that all in all, yes it is for the better.
and I happy that you see why I am skeptical.
As for my work, unfortunately my department does not post our projects on a public website.
Anywho,
Good luck on Saturday.