Come Together Arizona to Stop Child Trafficking and Slavery

Sept. 6, 2012 - PRLog -- Two women on bikes will arrive in Phoenix at noon on Thursday, September 6,2012.  They are biking from ocean to ocean to raise awareness for the vicious cycle of child trafficking in the United States.  As they arrive at the Arizona State Capitol, dressed in their riding gear, they will join a Press Conference sponsored by Arizona Interfaith Movement, in collaboration with the Avon Program for Women and Justice at O'Connor House, Compassionate Journeys, Streetlight USA and the Coalition to Protect Arizona's Children from Trafficking, who are working diligently on this issue.

The Press Conference will address the issues at hand, what is being done about them and what Arizonans can do to help.  Interviews available afterwards.

Speakers will include:
Amanda Christmann Larson, CEO of Compassionate Journeys, and one of the bike riders going from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL, to raise awareness of trafficking.
   
Kim Sterling-Heflin and Lucia Fakonas Howard, Co chairs of the Avon Program for Women and Justice at O'Connor House.  
   
Phoenix Police Dept Representative.
   
Lea Benson, Executive Director of StreetLightUSA - a residential reintegration center for trafficked teens.

Hosted by Dr. Paul Eppinger, Executive Director, AZ Interfaith Movement, azifm.org.

Press Conference Details:
Date:           Thursday, September 6, 2012
When:           Noon
Where:        Arizona State Capitol Lawn, 1700 West Washington, Phoenix, AZ  85007

Practical ways to help:

Sign petitions at http://www.protectazchildren.com/index.php
www.compassionatejourneys.com and www.babesblockingtraffic.com  - see all the details about the 3,093 mile bike journey to raise awareness about child trafficking and slavery, and to raise funds to put a stop to it.

http://streetlightusa.org/about-us/
   
http://www.oconnorhouse.org/dv/ - The Avon Program for Women and Justice at O'Connor House
   
Sign petition at http://www.change.org/petitions/build-bridges-to-end-child-trafficking
   
http://www.azfoundationforwomen.org/

The mission of Arizona Interfaith Movement "is to build bridges of understanding, respect and support among diverse people of faith through education, dialogue and the
implementation of the Golden Rule."