Members of Elizabethtown College’s Faith in Action organization participated in a Stand for Freedom event outside of the Baugher Student Center for 27 hours, starting at 3:00 p.m. Monday, April 8 and ending at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 9. The event was intended to raise awareness and funds for the 27 million victims of slavery and sexual exploitation around the world.
“This event is focused on serving others, being the voice for the voiceless, and giving to those who are less fortunate,” junior Kelly Seibert, one of the event’s coordinators, stated. “As students, we are using the resources, voices and talents we have to serve others. Etown has the opportunity to stand for humanity through this event, which directly reflects the mission statement of this college.”
Numerous students participated in the event, as well as donated money to the cause. All funds raised by the event will support the efforts of the International Justice Mission’s investigators, lawyers and aftercare staff who work to bring freedom to victims of violent oppression in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Students stood for 27 hours to represent the 27 million people enslaved in human trafficking. “As young adults, we have the potential to have a positive influence on this world as we stand for what we believe,” Seibert said. “We can be a force for good, and we can end human trafficking. It is my desire that students would become passionate about fighting for justice and standing for those who are trapped in bondage.”
After attending a showing of the film “Nefarious,” a documentary about human trafficking, and attending the college Christian conference, “Passion,” in Atlanta, Ga., Seibert decided to bring awareness of this subject to Etown. “The Stand for Freedom event was explained during one of the conference’s sessions, and I immediately knew I wanted to bring this event to Etown. I asked if Faith in Action would be willing to sponsor the event, and after they agreed I just started planning,” she stated. Juniors Rachel Little and Stephanie Strauss also held important roles in the event’s coordination.