On April 6th, people from all walks of life gathered and marched together on the streets of Hollywood to call for an end on human trafficking. According to United Nations, human trafficking takes place in every country with children making up one third of the victims, at least 70% women and girls combined. It’s a persistent issue that many people feel strongly about.

The gathering was joined by Ike Khamisani, President, and Rachelle Adelante, Secretary, UNA-USA, Inland Empire Chapter. Ike addressed the march and passerby. He spoke of importance of Human Rights, and stressed on this need of the hour to appeal all concerns to raise voices and do some positive actions to stop this curse on humanity.

If human trafficking victims can’t stand up and speak for themselves, then we need to do so — this is the remarkable attitude that embodied everyone at the march.

“It tugs at my heart strings because I have daughters and a mother. I think it’s a terrible thing. I just want to be part of a movement that’s trying to do something right…”

-Bobby Kato Drake

“Enough is enough. It’s time to say stop. We’re not for sale anymore. We’re humans and we have our rights.”

-Adriana Lanciti

“It’s a problem that’s going on all over the world and we’re trying to put a stop to this.”

-Georgiana Lainfiesta

“Human trafficking is also here in United States. The State of California has one of the highest rates of human trafficking. We’re here today so we can speak for others who cannot speak for themselves. It’s an issue that affects all of us.”

-Rebecca Isaac

“I am here because I am not for sale…”

-Jennifer Diep

“Human trafficking takes place everywhere. It’s a horrible thing. A lot of women are brainwashed into thinking it’s the only way they can survive. It’s an issue we have to fight. We have to stand up not just for the victims but for everyone’s rights.”

-Michelle Toh

“Human trafficking is wrong. The public needs to be aware of it. We need all the help we can get to solve this problem. The whole world needs to know.”

-Ify Hollywood

“Human trafficking is an ongoing issue for many years. It’s getting out of hand so we need to stop this.”

-Mike Aki

“Human trafficking is everywhere. If we see it, we need to say something about it.”

-Marquis Shaw and Marshon Shaw

“This issue is getting ridiculous and it needs to stop today. This cause is very dear to me because I know people who have suffered from it. People need to start loving themselves so they can turn their lives around and heal.”

-Maria Stall

“Our support goes out to those victimized by human trafficking. It’s getting more and more dangerous for girls and women out there. We need to do our part to end human trafficking.”

-Romane Antoine Simon

While it’s a dark issue, human trafficking is a humanitarian problem that will continue to exist unless we make the efforts to stop it. It’s an issue that affects us all — an issue that goes beyond gender, age, background, ethnicity, and anything that divides us. It will never be an easy battle. However, when we get together and march as one, we have a great chance at fighting it.