Senator Bob Corker visited Belmont University Monday morning to kick-off the END It Campaign, a national movement to fight for freedom for all by bringing awareness, prevention, rescue and restoration to people suffering from modern day slavery. Committed to uniting their voices as freedom fighters, Corker has partnered with the International Justice Mission (IJM), A21, Hope for Freedom and other organizations to represent the 27 million men, women and children trapped in slavery around the world.
Belmont’s IJM President Breanna Adams joined Corker in the kick-off event and spoke on what Belmont and Vanderbilt’s chapters are doing to raise awareness. For Adams, it all comes down to prevention and action. “Our generation will continue to advocate and raise funds until all people are free,” she said.
The END It team was joined by Christian artist and founder of Freedom for Hope Natalie Grant who shared how she got involved with the movement and encouraged all attendees to be ‘in it to END it.’ “You don’t have to be qualified to be involved,” Grant said. “You just have to have a heart beating inside you.”
Margie Quin, an agent with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, went on to address the crowd and share information on what the state is doing to further END it. Despite the great work of TBI and its investigators, Quin said it is this generation who has the power to change the future. “Winds of change are blowing in Tennessee,” she said. “Let your generation be the generation to END it.”
Belmont students, faculty and staff in attendance participated in the event by wearing t-shirts, snapping photos to share and marking their hands with the END It movement’s signature red X. For Corker, Belmont was an obvious choice for the day’s kick-off location as the university “…is where it seems so many things begin.”
Speakers encouraged attendees to observe Feb. 25 as “Shine a Light On Slavery Day” by wearing a red X on their hand throughout the day and engage with community members by educating them on the movement when they ask about it. For more information on this day and the END It movement, click here.
