Arizona needs to be #23…

Clear Channel and NHTRC: For. The. WIN.
This is important, so listen up. And, go see this billboard at 7th St and Lincoln Dr in downtown Phoenix!

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline provides help for victims, takes tips about possible HT situations, and provides information. Call 1-888-3737-888 or send a text message to "BeFree" (233733). note: since it is a digital billboard, the image appears to "fuzzy" when you photograph it.

 You remember how I mentioned the NHTRC hotline before? No? Well, I did. There was even a link. Pay better attention next time! Here is what it is all about.

Polaris Project set up the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) to help victims and provide information for the community. It is a non-profit, non-governmental organization working exclusively on the issue of human trafficking. Polaris Project is not a government entity, law enforcement or an immigration authority (it says so right on their website).

This number is helps exactly no one if they don't know about it, right? Well, this is why this is such great news. Arizona has not had it posted very often or for very long. There have been a few (non profit) organizations who have managed to get enough money together to post it on a large static billboard near the freeway for a short period of time. Which is AWESOME.

On Monday, January 13 (2 days after Human Trafficking Awareness Day) Clear Channel Outdoor Branch Manager for Arizona, Diave Veres, announced the donation of space on all 50 of their digital billboards in Arizona to display the NHTRC Hotline. They will rotate about 15 at a time throughout Arizona until February 2015! Which is HUGE. EXCITING. SUPER-FANTASTIC-WONDERFUL!

Cindy McCain spoke at the press conference announcing Clear Channel Outdoor's donation of billboard space to display the NHTRC Hotline.

Bradley Myles, Executive Director and CEO of Polaris Project came from Washington D.C. to speak at the press conference. 

 Isn't this so exciting?!!

At the podium is Beth Jacobs, survivor of sex trafficking and founder of Willow Way in Tucson. Diane Veres, in the teal jacket and black skirt in the background, is the Clear Channel Outdoor Branch Manager for Arizona. 

Media representatives from Univision, Fox 10, and channels 3 and 5 attended. Other attendees of note include Councilmember Jim Waring (District 2), Representative Doug Coleman (District 16), Brittaney Vanderhoof from Polaris Project, Marc Tetzlaff- Victim Witness Coordinator of ICE and Katie Resendiz and her staff from TRUST AZ.

So, this is totally awesome for the next year. Then what? Well- twenty-two states have passed a law that requires specified establishments throughout the state to post the Hotline. Texas was the first to do so (more info here).

It is time for Arizona to be number 23.