BETTENDORF, IOWA (August 6, 2025) — It has been done in all fifty states and seventies countries with more than a million participants. It is a great summer activity.
Each year the United Nations designates July 30 as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to raise awareness of this devastating global problem and to promote the protection of basic human rights. Trafficking continues to be a threat worldwide driven by organized crime. The 2025 UN Theme is “Human Trafficking is Organized Crime — End the Exploitation.”
Keep in mind that in the last few years ONLY 200,000 documented victims received help. It is the tip of the iceberg because people are being trafficked more every year with greater violence, for longer periods of time, and for greater profit. This includes forced labor, sexual exploitation, and coercion into criminal activities such as online scams. Despite some progress, criminal-justice responses remain grossly inadequate in tackling this rapidly-growing crime, considering the worldwide conflicts.
Please make the global day against trafficking a day that YOU become part of the solution. This year’s campaign highlights the vital role of law enforcement and the criminal justice system in dismantling organized trafficking networks.
Please refer to the July Iowa ACTION Red Sand Project information below, so you can consider participating to bring attention to the 50 million people being trafficked, so we won’t let them fall through the cracks. The Project is a great, simple, and fun summer project for friends, family, youth groups/camps, organizations, businesses and summer schools.
Red Sand Project
You are probably wondering what sand has to do with human trafficking prevention. Those grains of red sand have a very important message to visually send to those in your community. Molly Gochman, artist and activist, created this participatory artwork by using sidewalk interventions and earthwork installations to create opportunities for people to question, connect with an organization, and inspire action against Human Trafficking and exploitation. It involves pouring environmentally friendly red sand into the cracks of sidewalks, parking lots, etc, to raise awareness about human trafficking and those who “fall through the cracks” in this heinous crime.
Together we can and are doing this. We are better together. Have a great Human Trafficking Prevention summer to make a difference in your community. See you at noon, August 8, at Leach Park, 100 12th Street, Bettendorf.
Public restroom available. Dogs allowed.
