OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Amid the paintings and pottery blended seamlessly between the carvings and costumed characters, Ocala’s First Friday Art Walk also drew awareness to a dark issue this month: a modern form of slavery through sexual and labor trafficking.
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
The goal of Ocala’s Red Sand Project is to have a visible way through participatory artwork “to create opportunities for people to question, connect and take action against vulnerabilities that can lead to human trafficking, modern slavery, and exploitation,” says the initiative’s website.
Ocala’s new mayor Ben Marciano was among those who poured a cup of red sand into the cracks on the sidewalks of the downtown square on Friday.
“We want people to create an image of caring and support for people that often fall through the cracks. That is the idea of filling the cracks,” said Rev. Mary Delancey. Delancey is a deacon at Ocala’s Grace Episcopal Church. She is also on Ocala’s human trafficking task force.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. You can also submit a tip online here.
The serious subject is woven into the vibrant framework of the monthly art walk where buskers like Prestine Allen add to the upbeat ambiance.
Ocala’s First Friday Art Walk occurs on the first Friday of each month, September through May.
