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Chains Interrupted – Red Sand Project – July 30
No One Should Fall Through the Cracks

Cedar Rapids: On Friday, July 30th the sidewalks of downtown Cedar Rapids will look a little different. Chains Interrupted, in cooperation with the Red Sand Project, will be hosting an event that
hopes to raise awareness of the 98% of people who fall through the cracks in human trafficking. Everyone in the community is encouraged to participate by pouring a special red sand into the cracks of downtown sidewalks. They will then write anti-human trafficking messages in chalk and share on social media with #ChainsInterrupted and #RedSandProject. This is a simple but high impact social media awareness campaign that is great for the whole family, work teams, or groups of friends. The event is free for all, the materials will be supplied, and streets will be assigned. Participants can sign up early online at www.chainsinterrupted.com/events or simply come to Greene Square Park to check in and pick up supplies and street assignments. The event is a come-and-go project that starts at 8:00 am, ending at noon.

A highlight of the event will be a short rally at 10:00 am in Greene Square Park. Speakers include Heather Brown, Human Trafficking Survivor; Teresa Davidson, President & Co-Founder of Chains Interrupted; Ashley Vanorny, Cedar Rapids Councilmember; and Jim Howard, Author and Executive Director of Trinity Security Allies. Each brings a different perspective as to how our community is impacted by human trafficking, and Ms. Brown’s story is particularly moving and inspiring. You won’t want to miss this! “This is a fun campaign with a serious message.” Said  Marilyn Muhle, event Chair. “To promote the project, our committee members have been pouring sand and writing messages on various sidewalks and have even gotten their kids involved. Each time we go out, people on the street ask what we are doing, which gives us a chance to raise awareness that human trafficking is happening here in Cedar  Rapids.”

Terri Claire, Executive Director of Chains Interrupted, stated; “We are hoping this will trigger a lot of conversations about this massive, but often unseen, problem in our community. Besides the Red Sand Project, there are many ways to partner with Chains Interrupted through volunteering or supporting us financially. You can also request a speaker to come to your club, business, church, or group of friends.” Claire added; “We are passionate about serving survivors of human trafficking through advocacy and referrals, but the biggest win is when we can prevent it from happening; that is why our community awareness and education programs are so vital.” Underwriting Sponsors for this year’s Red Sand Project include: UnityPoint Health, Green State Credit Union, Linn Area Credit Union, Davidson Homes, Randy Richter – Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors, Revive Family Chiropractor, Hibu, Hills Bank, Christ Church Presbyterian, Trinity Security Allies,
Atlantic Bottling – Coca Cola, and Bees Knees Entertainment. Chains Interrupted, a registered 501(c)(3), fights human trafficking through Awareness, Prevention, and Advocacy.

We expect about a thousand volunteers to fill the cracks of 173 streets Downtown Cedar Rapids with red sand to raise awareness of the victims of human trafficking who fall through the cracks. We will begin at 8am applying sand on streets between 1st St – 8th St & 1st Ave – 8th Ave.  At 10am, we will have a Rally at Green Square Park. You can sponsor this event and/or volunteer to pour sand. Bring your family, friends, club members, youth group, or just come on your own.  It will be a poignant event you won’t want to miss.

Please take pictures and add hashtags to your posts:  #RedSandProject & #ChainsInterrupted.

Thank you to this year’s sponsors!