Floridians march against human trafficking

Dozens of Floridians in the panhandle city of Pensacola came out to march against human trafficking, Saturday morning, according to a report published by local ABC News affiliate WEAR.

The event was sponsored by the Pensacola Dream Center, and was fashioned as a “Walk for Freedom.”

Human rights activists, Pensacola community members and human trafficking survivors united forces to raise awareness to the issue in hopes of illuminating the widespread problem.

“Anytime that there is something at the Bay Center, or if we have a big event with a game, or there's gambling involved, we are going to see trafficking happen,” said Alicia Tappan, the president of a local organization that helps survivors.

“We have to be more vigilant and more diligent to be able to report it and respond,” she asserted.

Tappan said that the problem is a global one, but affects everyone locally, including in her home town and the northern Florida area.

She said she helped organized the event in hopes it would inspire others to stand up against human trafficking and fight for the rights of victims.