MOVING MESSAGE: Information about reporting and stopping human trafficking appears on the inside and outside of a Green Bay public transportation bus. (submitted photo)
NFL Draft brings together community partners to take action, raise awareness
by Sisters Mary Berg, Sally Ann Brickner, Carolyn Zahringer & Associate Rose Denissen
In September, as the Peace and Nonviolence Committee pondered its goals for the year, the four members chose to focus on two priorities of the Community: ending both racism and human trafficking. Among the actions they considered for anti-human trafficking were activities related to the NFL Draft 2025 which would be held in Green Bay in late April of 2025.
Why focus on the Draft? Some people contend that mega cultural events do not attract perpetrators of human trafficking. But law enforcement and others who track national hotline calls during such events report increased incidences of the crime of human trafficking. Therefore, the Committee put the NFL Draft 2025 on its radar as a teachable moment about human trafficking in Green Bay.
Undaunted by the gigantic nature of the task at hand, the Committee members reached out to local organizations with which they had volunteered in the past. This included Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin and Awaken WI, both which educate about and offer support for survivors of human trafficking. Then, in November, Lucas Holt from the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay convened a group of individuals to address human trafficking during the Draft. In addition to these local groups, Sister Sally Ann discussed the NFL Draft 2025 and anti-human trafficking initiatives with the Advocacy Working Group of the Alliance to End Human Trafficking, formerly known as the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking. The Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross have been a member of that group since its founding in 2013.
Seven initiatives
With the assistance of these wonderful partners, a series of events unfolded to create awareness of human trafficking leading up to and during the Draft and to invite the wider community to participate in prayer and advocacy to end the scourge.
- The Alliance to End Human Trafficking and our Community placed an ad on a side of a Green Bay Metro bus (see photo on next page) that will circulate from January through June. Interior ads created by Awaken WI promote the local number to call for help.
- On March 7, volunteers with Catholic Charities provided area businesses with posters that would enable their employees to recognize the signs of human trafficking and numbers to call to report the suspected criminal activity. Canvassers also provided mirror clings that would alert patrons of the business to the local helpline: 920-212-SAFE. The posters and mirror clings, provided by Awaken WI, were delivered to an additional 25 businesses in the Titletown District by Sisters Agnes Fischer, Ruth Ann LaBine, and Sally Ann before the end of March.
- On April 4, 24 Pilgrims of Hope boarded a Lamers’ coach for the Living Way of the Cross Against Human Trafficking (see the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops’ website). They visited six different locations in Green Bay, including our Motherhouse, as they prayed the Stations of the Cross.
- On April 9, Sisters attended the program “Human Trafficking 101” sponsored by the Altrusa Club at the Neville Public Museum. The presenter was Kasia Klaus, Executive Director of Awaken WI.
- Day and night throughout the Draft, Eucharistic Adoration Against Trafficking will take place at Resurrection Catholic Parish, 333 Hilltop Drive, Green Bay.
- On April 25, during the city of Green Bay’s Booyah Battle, the Alliance to End Human Trafficking will hold a rally and march to raise awareness of human trafficking. Participants will carry signs and walk from the City Deck across the Main and Walnut Street bridges and back to City Deck.
- In the evening of April 25, a Symposium sponsored by the Alliance to End Human Trafficking will occur at the Cassandra Voss Center on St. Norbert College’s campus. Renowned speakers will address the audience: Katie Boller-Gosewisch and Marilyn Zigmund-Luke from the Alliance to End Human Trafficking, Senior Judge William C. Griesbach from the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Rep. Jerry O’Connor from the 60th District of Wisconsin (Fond du Lac), Shelby Mitchell from Family Services, and Becky Wright from Awaken WI. You could win a signed Packers football donated by the Green Bay Packers!
Many hands make light work
Planning and coordinating all these events was challenging but enjoyable for members of the Peace and Nonviolence Committee. They accomplished much more by practicing an essential principle of successful nonviolent actions: enlist like-minded individuals to support your endeavors!
May God always be praised in all things and through all things!
