The Black Lives Matter Movement moves into new territory, confronting human trafficking!

Journalismtmp
Written By Issa Khari

After kicking off 2017 with an unprecedented  5 borough march for the Black Vote, BLMNY takes on Human Trafficking!

Black Lives Matter of Greater New York, followed up that historic march by focusing the membership's attention to its own community. On Sunday they lead a coalition of activist groups, marching over 140 NYC blocks from Wall Street to Harlem raising awareness for missing black girls. Named 1 of 7 Organizations in NYC ready to take on Trump's Fascist policies by the Gothamist, BLMNY has brought to the table the issue of Sex & Human trafficking.  As light has been shed on the reported 64,000 missing Black women and children nation wide (A reported 2,242 in the Nation's Capitol alone), the group has made the connection to human trafficking.  

BLMNY being a true community driven organization tackled the issue of missing girls by looking at the their everyday lives.  The things many in the black community turn an eye away from.  Prostitution, drugs, gangs, and the over-sexualization in American culture.  Which led to the Conference on Sex & Human Trafficking, a preface to the march on Sunday.  With experts on the subject like Toni D. Rivera, a survivor of Human trafficking, who now saves young women from that same horrifying life. Toni's story testifies to how complicated the issues is, being a participant in kidnappings while simultaneously being a victim of it. There is also Michelle Hope who teaches workshops on how the America's rape culture pushes individuals into the underworld from our early formative years. Black Lives Matter of Greater New York has also partnered up with GEMS (Girls Educational and Mentoring Services) to provide sanctuary and support for survivors of human trafficking.

There may not be a more battle ready organization in NYC than BLMNY. A key component to the liberation of Black Lives is bringing together the different ideologies within the greater Black Community, as well as the larger African Diaspora.  A principal of the Garvey movement whose flag is flown at almost every Black Lives Matter protest, which represents Pan-Africanism.  As the Black Lives movement shifts its sights beyond symptoms like police brutality, gentrification, it can focus on curing the disease that is White Supremacy and Fascism through Black ownership and self policing.  A self sustaining Black Community is not only the answer for the Blacks in America but for the Diaspora as a whole.

For more information on Missing Girls & Human Trafficking you can reach BLMNY by social media or email blmgreaterny@gmail.com

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Issa Khari https://www.issakhari.photography
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