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human trafficking

America’s truckers are important line of defense against human trafficking

"Professional truck drivers are the eyes and ears of America’s roadways, serving a vital role in ending modern-day slavery."
January 27, 2021

Economic downturn sees uptick in possible sex trafficking recruitment

Tuesday, the Child Trafficking Solutions Project and the Children’s Policy Cooperative of Jefferson County issued a statement warning that there is a noticeable increase in Craigslist postings for possible human trafficking purposes due to the coronavirus economic impact. “If you see any such postings on Craigslist or any social media sites, please screen shot and … Continued
March 25, 2020

Jones introduces bipartisan bill to protect children from human trafficking

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones has introduced a bill that would help prevent exploitation by providing grants for training and resources. The bipartisan Human Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Training Act of 2020 would help prevent the trafficking and exploitation of children by providing grants to train students, parents, teachers, and school personnel to recognize and respond … Continued
February 21, 2020

Vestavia Hills becomes first “TraffickingFree Zone” in Alabama

Mayor Ashley Curry and the Vestavia Hills City Council signed a proclamation during Monday’s City Council Meeting that made the City of Vestavia Hills the first “TraffickingFree Zone” in Alabama. The proclamation is similar to Drug Free Zone initiatives in the early 2000s. It requires 1) the city issue and sign the Proclamation, 2) all … Continued
November 27, 2019

Rogers urges members to vote against Democratic Homeland Security Improvement Act

Wednesday, Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Saks) urged colleagues to vote against H.R. 2203, the Homeland Security Improvement Act. Rogers said that, “Congress should use this opportunity to advance a bipartisan bill to address the causes of the border crisis and prevent another one from happening.” “Over this past fiscal year, law enforcement has encountered nearly 1 … Continued
September 26, 2019

New human trafficking law requires trucker training

With the stroke of her pen on Monday, Gov. Kay Ivey ceremonially signed a law that aims to reduce human trafficking by training truck drivers to spot it.  Sponsored by Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, the law requires that new commercial drivers licensees be trained on how to detect and respond to human trafficking.  Truckers Against … Continued
August 14, 2019

Alabama Historical Commission files admiralty claim on the Clotilda

Friday, July 26, the Alabama Historical Commission (AHC), and the State Historic Preservation Office, filed an Admiralty Claim in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama in Mobile as part of an ongoing and long-term protection and preservation plan for the Clotilda, the last-known slave ship in the United States. The … Continued
July 30, 2019

Jones joins bipartisan call to implement program to alleviate border crisis

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, has joined a bipartisan group of senators in sending letters to President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan and Attorney General William Barr to urge the implementation of “Operation Safe Return.” Supporters claim that Operation Safe Return is a pilot program that … Continued
July 22, 2019

One human trafficking bill signed, another pocket vetoed

Tuesday Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill that would require students at trucking schools to take classes on identifying human trafficking. A second bill that would have exposed the men who purchase sex was pocket vetoed by the Governor. House Bill 261 was sponsored by House Assistant Minority Leader Merika Coleman (D-Midfield) and State … Continued
June 14, 2019

Sex trafficking expert says House bill that shames buyers is an effective tool

Friday, the Alabama Political Reporter spoke to Geoff Rogers, the CEO and co-founder of the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking (USIAHT) about the growing human trafficking problem in our society and the best methods to combat the booming sex trafficking industry. The USIAHT fights sex trafficking and seeks to end trafficking through education and by … Continued
May 27, 2019