Students shout for a Slavery-Free London on Anti-Slavery Day

Oaks Park High support Slavery Free London

Tuesday (the 18^th October) marked the second Anti-Slavery day in the United Kingdom. Created last year through a parliamentary bill championed by former MP and now chairman of the Human Trafficking Foundation, Anthony Steen, the day provides a focal point for raising awareness around issues of slavery and trafficking. We hosted events around the country, and I had the pleasure of being present at our Inaugural Young People’s Conference.

Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey answers student's questions

 

As the morning sun shone, students from Oaks Park High School, Woodhouse College and Cherwell School shuffled into the Museum of London Docklands to spend the day learning about and discussing issues of slavery, as well as techniques for campaigning and other ways that they can take action. I was both pleased and inspired by the interest those attending demonstrated. They were engaging with and challenging the speakers, asking critical questions and getting actively involved with our campaigns. 

Oaks Park High student takes centre stage

The reality of slavery in our capital is an issue that they took very seriously. Some already knew about trafficking, and in a witty but saddening answer to the Human Trafficking Centre’s James Behan’s question, ‘Where are people trafficked from?’, one of the year nine children from Oak’s Park High School accurately replied ‘everywhere.’ Toward the end of the conference, all of the attendees got together to write a personal message on and sign our A3 pledge for a Slavery Free London.

The Slavery Free London A3 pledge

Elsewhere on Anti-Slavery Day, others were also getting involved. Russell Square was alive with music, performance and talks to mark the day between 11am and 3pm. People that came along had a great time and many of them were keen to act, taking time to sign our Slavery Free London petition.

You can get involved, too: learn about slavery in London today, read the personal stories of two victims and sign our pledge.