{Walk For Freedom 2023}
The second annual A21 “Walk for Freedom” to protest human trafficking will be held in Coral Springs on Saturday, Oct. 19.
According to organizer Jasmine Gonzales, the walk starts at Ralph Diaz Memorial Park and heads towards The Walk on University Drive.
Simultaneously with the local walk, A21 will be hosting similar walks in other cities, states, and countries worldwide.
Gonzalez, 29, a former Coral Springs resident and a 2013 Coral Springs High School graduate, fully understands the horror and consequences of sexual abuse. She said her mom was sexually abused as a child and suffered its manifestations throughout her life, leading to a lifetime of drug abuse.
Gonzalez was only 21 at the time of her mother’s death in 2017. “I lost her to drug addiction,” she said. “It opened my eyes to what sexual abuse can do to somebody.”
A21 is a global non-profit, non-governmental organization working to fight human trafficking, including sexual exploitation and trafficking, forced slave labor, bonded labor, involuntary domestic servitude, and child soldiery. It was founded in 2008.
The first Coral Springs Freedom Walk was held in 2023. “The turnout was great, Gonzalez said. “I’m blessed. I had about 90 or 100 people registered. About 50 showed up.”
She is hoping for an even greater turnout this year and now has a committed team of three or four people assisting her. “They’re posting on social media. I’m very optimistic. I’m hoping for 100 to 150 to turn out,” she said.
Ralph Diaz Memorial Park is located at 9701 NW 19th St. in Coral Springs, 33071. Participants must wear all-black or dark bottoms with an A21 shirt.
For more information, contact Gonzalez by email at jmarieg813@gmail.com. To register, click here.
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