We at BRANDED acknowledge that the power of YOUR collective voices influenced the leaders of our city into agreement. The political process resulted in true justice, as decisions were guided by the voice of the people.

Thank you for joining us in tangibly influencing this process! The issue of Child Rape for Profit continues to gain momentum in the public eye, as individuals like yourself spread the word of this heinous injustice. We have come to believe that AWARENESS = PREVENTION and this is a prime example of the idea coming to fruition.

Thank you again for your participation in the movement to eradicate child sex slavery in Phoenix. Let us keep the momentum going.

www.brandedphx.com
www.streetlightphx.org

From what we can understand, the city is prepared to slash in half the Phoenix VICE Squad due to budget cuts. This will severely handicap the the effort to eradicate child sex slavery in Phoenix, and put more of our young girls at risk. Therefore, we have only one option. To raise the voices of concerned Valley citizens in opposition to this cut. Please see the below suggestions for political advocacy, and please consider attending one of the below scheduled Public Budget Hearings. We ask that all those attend for the BRANDED cause wear RED in a show of solidarity for abolitionism.

YOUR VOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE - Act Now.

1.Sign the Petition - http://apps.facebook.com/causes/petitions/375?m=750a8b7e

2.Call the Phoenix City Council 602-262-4800

3.Write the PHOENIX City Council budget.research@phoenix.gov
REMEMBER: Phoenix VICE Officers have jurisdiction beyond the city of Phoenix. Losing the VICE squad in Phoenix means losing the VICE squad that serves YOUR community.

4.Attend a Hearing. There WILL be a hearing in YOUR district. http://phoenix.gov/budget/index.html

5.Educate EVERYONE in your sphere of influence. Each and every one of us can make a difference. Use your VOICE. Take a stand. Tell the city of Phoenix that we NEED our VICE officers. Eliminating the VICE squad means endangering the lives of CHILDREN across the valley.

SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC BUDGET HEARINGS:

Citywide - Bilingual
6 p.m. Wednesday,
Feb. 10
Carl Hayden High School
Auditorium
3333 W. Roosevelt St.

District 8
10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11
Devonshire Senior Center
Multi Purpose Room
2802 E. Devonshire Ave.

District 2
6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11
Juniper Library
Community Room
1825 W. Union Hills Drive

Districts 5 and 7
6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11
Maryvale Community Center
Auditorium
4420 N. 51st Ave.

District 8
6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11
South Mountain Community College
Student Union, SU 100 A
7050 S. 24th St.

Districts 1 and 5
6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16
Manzanita Senior Center
3581 W. Northern Ave.

District 7
6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16
Burton Barr Central Library
Auditorium
1221 N. Central Ave.

District 1
6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17
Goelet A.C. Beuf Community Center
Multi Purpose Room
3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road

District 6
6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17
Madison School District Office
Board Room
5601 N. 16th St.

District 3
6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18
Cowden Center
Barb’s Room
9202 N. Second St.

District 6
6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18
Pecos Community Center
17010 S. 48th St.

District 2
6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23
Paradise Valley Community Center
Multi Purpose Room
17402 N. 40th St.

District 3
6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23
Shadow Mountain Senior Center
3546 E. Sweetwater Ave.

District 7
6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23
Cesar Chavez High School
Auditorium
3921 W. Baseline Road

District 4
7:30 a.m. Wednesday,
Feb. 24
Steele Indian School Park
Memorial Hall
300 E. Indian School Road

www.brandedphx.com
www.streetlightphx.org

One of the many wonderful things about our nation is the opportunity to participate in the defining and refining of our government. We vote, we advocate, we share our ideas and opinions. As often said, we take for granted this process of democracy. This is especially evident when noting the tragic events that occur in other countries when an individual implores his or her right to speech and the governing process. Beatings, imprisonment, and sometimes execution are the frequent formal responses of governments who don’t afford the liberties we experience.

With that said, we at BRANDED are anticipating a busy Legislative session over the next six months. Currently, our priority is to secure the funding and staffing of the Phoenix Vice Squad that is being considered for budget cuts in the Phoenix City Council. If you’ve followed BRANDED at all over the past year, you understand the utter importance of these heros who fight to save children from sex slavery on the front lines, and lock up the predators that enslave them. Not only is the Phoenix Vice Squad essential for the combating of sex slavery that exists in the Phoenix Metro area, they also are national leaders for law enforcement on this issue. THEY are your tax dollars well spent.

The cause to eradicate child sex slavery would suffer an enormous set-back with de-resourcing of the Vice. We’ve come so far over the past 18 months, and it is time to ensure we can proceed along side these brave officers. Please consider sharing your feelings about the importance of the Phoenix Vice Squad with the following members of the Phoenix City Council, and signing this petition –> CLICK HERE

Mayor Phil Gordon - mayor.gordon@phoenix.gov

Thelda Williams - council.district.1@phoenix.gov

Peggy Neely - council.district.2@phoenix.gov

Bill Gates - council.district.3@phoenix.gov

Tom Simplot - council.district.4@phoenix.gov

Claude Mattox - council.district.5@phoenix.gov

Sal DiCiccio - council.district.6@phoenix.gov

Vice Mayor Michael Nowakowski - council.district.7@phoenix.gov

Michael Johnson - council.district.8@phoenix.gov

www.brandedphx.com

As part of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, please take a minute to read the linked Presidential Proclamation:

No matter the politics, wedge issues, or hot topics of the day… a Presidential Proclamation is a big deal. This month, President Obama has proclaimed the importance of re-committing our nation to the ideals of freedom and equality for all. The existence of slavery in the world… and in our country is unacceptable.

As part of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, please take a minute to read the linked Presidential Proclamation:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-slavery-and-human-trafficking-prevention-month

Thank you.

brandedphx.com

The past 6 months have been an amazing spring board in preparation for the new decade… one that we hope will see the abolitionist grow and succeed in combating global and domestic slaver trade. Check out what’s been happening at http://vimeo.com/8220272

Once again, happy holidays from BRANDED to you, and thanks for your support.

www.brandedphx.com

Below lists some great ideas that benefit the cause of freedom from slavery, something that NEEDS to be a world priority!

• ABOLITION FUND - Consider joining the BRANDED Abolition Fund, or gift it to someone you know cares about the issue of child sex slavery in Phoenix. For $13.00 per month, ABOLITION FUND members will be treated as dedicated abolitionists and receive monthly update emails, invites to exclusive events, and more. Visit www.brandedphx.com/abolitionfund for more information!

• BRANDED T-SHIRT - Purchase a BRANDED T-Shirt and raise awareness by simply wearing clothes!

• HOPE JEWELRY - Local organization, selling slave-free jewelry and accessories.

• NOT FOR SALE: FREEDOM STORE - Accessories, clothing, coffee and so much more offered with one garauntee: EVERYTHING MADE AND SENT SLAVE FREE!

• BATON-IT-ON - A neat way to spread love and awareness, sending a baton is a unique message system that sends messages via the mail! Purchase one for $10 and half the proceeds are donated to BRANDED!

• FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY GIFT CATALOG - Exciting ways to support the International Development ministry of Food for the Hungry. Donate a Goat, Education Supplies, Mosquito Nets, or a Small Business Loan in the name of one who cares about poor.

www.brandedphx.com

There is a subtle myth that slavery was vanquished in the 19^th century.  In reality it hasn’t been defeated and there are more slaves today than any other time of human history.  In fact, everyday, there are thousands of slaves across the United States.  Thousands brought in and sold for sex and labor.  In my years on this globe I have witnessed and/or read about numerous horrific events; however, I cannot fathom that humanity has created a crime more heinous than enslaving children in a system of rape for profit.

Sadly, there is an astonishing, well organized network of criminals victimizing women and children every day.  I have wondered why we, those fighting for justice, are unable to network with similar ferocity.  Why do criminals have structured systems and networks reaping havoc, while we continue creating “solutions” and systems that remain autonomous of one another?  Why can we not network?  What if different sectors of society could begin working together to break the chains of modern day slavery?  What if churches could unite and lead the charge against this heinous injustice?  What if a duplicable model of collaboration developed that became an example to other cities in our nation and around the world of the enormous potential when government and market place leaders, young people, churches, and thousands of modern day abolitionists wrestled, fought, and prayed against child sex slavery?  What if….

Over 40 years ago Martin Luther King Jr. painted a poignant vision with his “I have a dream” monologue.  What if today, in our continued struggle against slavery, we carried on his dream of abolishing slavery and created a UNITED effort working together to bring justice?  What if…

What if…

Blog by Pat McCalla

In this light I’d like to highlight some the key Stories, Articles, and Events from the past couple weeks:

• 52  Children Recovered, 60 Alleged Child Pimps Arrested in Crackdown - The three-day operation, tagged Operation Cross Country IV, included enforcement actions in 36 cities across 30 FBI divisions nationwide. It is part of the FBI’s ongoing Innocence Lost National Initiative, which was created in 2003 with the goal of ending sex trafficking of children in the United States.
• Taking a Sweedish Cue on Prostitution - What Sheriff Tom Dart has done is shift enforcement resources from the supply side to the demand side: from arresting (and releasing and rearresting) forcibly prostituted women and girls to arresting pimps and johns and impounding their cars, while directing the prostituted females to social services.
• For Runaways, Sex Buys Survival - Nearly a third of the children who flee or are kicked out of their homes each year engage in sex for food, drugs or a place to stay, according to a variety of studies published in academic and public health journals.
• N.Y. Hosts Emma Thompson’s Exhibit on Human Trafficking - Journey includes exhibits by Turner Prize-winning sculptor Anish Kapoor, Oscar-winning film designer Michael Howells, playwright Ewan Spencer, photographer Simon Stephens and other artists, each depicting a different portion of the journey of human trafficking.
• ICE Give Voice to Victims of Human Trafficking in the US - As part of ICE’s continued efforts, the agency has unveiled an outdoor public service announcement campaign, “Hidden in Plain Sight,” to draw the American public’s attention to the plight of human-trafficking victims in the United States. The campaign message explains that human trafficking includes those who are sexually exploited or forced to work against their will.

Should we consider a major reorientation of our laws that place criminality on the demand, rather than the supply, of commercial sex? And what are the implications for trafficked and enslaved minors?

The FBI and ICE see that Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Minors is priority.

A popular Actress uses her face and fortune to promote awareness and human rights in a creative way.

The runaways of America are now more susceptible to sexual exploitation than ever before.

Even Tyra Banks hosted a controversial show entitled “Teen Pimps and the Teen Girls They Made Prostitutes”.

There’s a lot to think about. But even more to Talk about! And we NEED to talk about it… these conversations NEED to be a part of public conversation and general knowledge. We believe that AWARENESS = PREVENTION and therefore the more we talk about the issue; it’s dirty secrets, it’s misunderstandings, the facts and horrid realities… the more people will know how to avert this injustice and protect their loved ones.

This is an issue worth talking about. Please, Spread the word.

www.brandedphx.com

• I rode with the Phoenix VICE Squad last week, learning how they conduct their operations, their methodology behind what they do, and hearing their heart on the issue of Child rape for profit. The VICE officer told me, “Dave, what you guys are doing is such an encouragement to us.” He went on to tell me the three things that have been most valuable to them. 1) That people are beginning to understand the issue, protect their sons and daughters, and move towards raising awareness. Too often the Police are misunderstood, and thought to be aiding criminals… the underage girls that we have come to regard as VICTIMS. 2) The officer shared with me his thoughts on the laws that exist in Arizona in regards to Child Prostitution. He stated “If we can address the defense clause for Johns, we really have the best laws our Squad can ask for when it comes to prosecution”. This will become our rallying cry over the next couple months when we tackle the “John Bill” again through Legislative Advocacy. 3) Looking at me sternly he asked “Are we really going to get this safe house?” The answer MUST be YES! These girls need a safe, secure and restorative community to holistically heal - www.StreetLightPHX.com
• The BRANDED/StreetLight Team attended the “Global Forum on Human Trafficking” hosted by Not For Sale Campaign. During this time we met with various organizations and ministries fighting to RE-Abolish slavery as it exists in its many forms throughout the world. It established a common assurance - We are not alone in our efforts, and therefore not alone in our struggles. Together we WILL end modern-day slavery!
• As if we need a reminder of our cause’s urgency, I offer you this quote… written in a letter from a “victim” to her mother…

“I am changed forever! In an unwanted manner. But be sure that I am no longer a victim,

I AM A SURVIVOR!”

This is responsibility we must ALL take on. To rescue victims and allow them the chance to be survivors. To prevent girls from being victimized. We’ve started down the path of establishing Justice in our city, and with these simple, yet profound, reminders, LET US CONTINUE THE CAUSE. Speak, Act, Think, and Give in a measure equal to the need.

Thank you for being a part of the movement to eradicate child sex slavery in Phoenix.

www.brandedphx.com

]]> http://www.brandedphx.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=159 http://www.brandedphx.com/blog/?p=155 http://www.brandedphx.com/blog/?p=155#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:03:09 +0000 admin http://www.brandedphx.com/blog/?p=155 When it comes to combating Domestic sex slavery, any and every action has the potential to make a DIRECT impact. At BRANDED we have heard dozens of reports sharing about stories where simply understanding the issue of child sex slavery… the methods of pimps… the warning signs of potential victims… the danger zones in communities… has resulted in preventative action! Therefore, we seek to provide actions opportunities for EVERYONE to take. In essence:

AWARENESS = PREVENTION

The more people know that human trafficking and child sex slavery exists in their communities, and the more they understand the dynamics of the issue, the safer we will become.

With that said, there are several ways for you to ACT and EDUCATE yourself in the upcoming weeks:

• Shea Homes Glow Run to benefit StreetLight

Hosted at the Encanterra Country Club Golf Course on October 10, all proceeds from the night run will be donated to StreetLight as they seek to provide a holistic after-care facility for victims of child sex slavery in the region. 5k, 10k and marathon options. Click here for more information, and Run for a great Cause!

• Catholic Charities Immersion Experience and Candlelight Walk

Catholic Charities will be hosting two awareness events to promote the after-care programs of Dignity House, which treats and trains adult women coming out of prostitution. On October 1, a multi-sensory and interactive IMMERSION EXPERIENCE will be exhibited. This is an amazing experience to better understand the deception and abuse that is involved in what is often considered “a victimless crime”. Click here for more information.

• Host a BRANDED Event - Get the word out!

We are looking for more venues to host BRANDED Screenings and Events. We see it essential that more people know about this heinous injustice that is thriving in our city. If AWARENESS = PREVENTION then one of our goals is to raise more AWARENESS. If you have ideas or suggestions for possible BRANDED events please click here!