Where:

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
50 East Freedom Way
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

When:

Thursday, July 22nd | 4pm

This summer, 15 people are giving 5 weeks to cycle 1800 miles of the Underground Railroad. Join us as the 5 Weeks for Freedom campaign stops in Cincinnati on July 22nd.

Get a special sneak preview of the Freedom Center’s upcoming “In-vis-i-ble” exhibit, and hear from leaders of today’s anti-slavery movement, including the 5 Weeks for Freedom riding team, and IJM and Freedom Center staff. Join with other Ohioans to fight for an end to modern-day slavery.

Because slavery has been defeated once. Because it can be defeated again – Join us.

If you’d like to volunteer time and/or services for this event, please contact IJM at volunteer@ijm.org.

Where:

Cleveland Indians’ Progressive Field
2401 Ontario Street
Cleveland, OH 44115

When:

Tuesday, July 27th | 7:10pm

This summer, 15 people are giving 5 weeks to cycle 1800 miles of the Underground Railroad. Join us for “Freedom Night” at Progressive Field when the team reaches Cleveland on July 27!

The 5 Weeks for Freedom riders will bring the fight against slavery to the diamond as the Cleveland Indians take on the New York Yankees – together, we’ll take a stand against injustice. The tour riders will be featured throughout the game, from throwing the opening pitch to cycling the bases, so get ready to cheer them on as we empower the entire stadium to join the movement.

Purchase game tickets from the Cleveland Indians web site »

Because slavery has been defeated once – and because it can be defeated again – see you at the field!

Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. All rights reserved.

Where:

First Baptist Church of Pleasant Grove
724 4th Street
Pleasant Grove, Alabama 35127

When:

Monday, July 5th | 10:00am

Meet with Congress.

Raise awareness.

Organize your community.

Advocate.

In a world where 27 million people are held as slaves and nearly 2 million children are exploited in the global sex industry, your voice matters. Get trained to make a difference and advocate with your elected officials on behalf of the voiceless by IJM Government Relations staff Erica Boonstra at this special event.

You’ll learn the basics of how Congress works and how to lobby your elected officials on issues you care about. We’ll discuss everything you need to know—from getting in the door, to preparing an effective message and presentation, to follow-up strategies that will help ensure your goals are met. We’ll also role-play sample lobby visits so you can see these various techniques in action.

We’ll conclude this training by talking about how you can take action by developing a plan for your campaign. Having a strategy enables you to make the most of limited resources. Learn how to effectively set goals, identify and target decision-makers and creatively find tactics to help you meet your goals. We’ll talk about ways to work with the media to help scale up your advocacy efforts and ways to engage your community in advocacy and awareness activities.

Where:

WorkPlay
500 23rd Street South
Birmingham, AL 35233

When:

Friday, July 2nd | 5:30pm

This summer, 15 ordinary people are cycling 1800 miles of the historic Underground Railroad –bringing the fight against modern-day slavery across the country. The 5 Weeks for Freedom team will hit Birmingham after cycling their first 200 miles – Celebrate the start of something incredible as they prepare for their next 1600 miles!

This event will feature local music favorites Great Book of John and Duquette Johnston, the 5 Weeks for Freedom riders and a screening of the acclaimed “rockumentary” Call + Response. You’ll hear directly from IJM Vice President Sean Litton, who leads all of IJM’s frontline casework around the world to rescue victims of modern-day slavery, sex trafficking and other violence. You’ll also meet the heroes bringing the fight against modern-day slavery home to Alabama, like Rep. Jack Williams and Sara Jane Camacho, Director of Birmingham-based Freedom to Thrive. Get ready to be equipped and inspired to take action in the fight against injustice.

Because slavery has been defeated once. Because it can be defeated again – Join us.

If you’d like to volunteer time and/or services for this event, please contact IJM at volunteer@ijm.org.

Where:

Safe Place, YMCA of Greater Louisville
2400 Crittenden Drive
Louisville, KY 40217

When:

Sunday, July 18th | 3:00pm

Meet with Congress.

Raise awareness.

Organize your community.

Advocate.

In a world where 27 million people are held as slaves and nearly 2 million children are exploited in the global sex industry, your voice matters. Get trained to make a difference and advocate with your elected officials on behalf of the voiceless by IJM Government Relations staff Erica Boonstra at this special event.

You’ll learn the basics of how Congress works and how to lobby your elected officials on issues you care about. We’ll discuss everything you need to know—from getting in the door, to preparing an effective message and presentation, to follow-up strategies that will help ensure your goals are met. We’ll also role-play sample lobby visits so you can see these various techniques in action.

We’ll conclude this training by talking about how you can take action by developing a plan for your campaign. Having a strategy enables you to make the most of limited resources. Learn how to effectively set goals, identify and target decision-makers and creatively find tactics to help you meet your goals. We’ll talk about ways to work with the media to help scale up your advocacy efforts and ways to engage your community in advocacy and awareness activities.

When:

Event festivities from 10:30am – 3:30pm (see agenda and performance times below)

Where:

Actors Theatre of Louisville
316 W Main Street
(Note: This event was previously scheduled at the Muhammad Ali Center. The Actors Theatre is within walking distance of the MAC.)

For 5 weeks this summer, 15 ordinary people are cycling 1800 miles of the historic Underground Railroad to raise awareness of modern-day slavery and sex trafficking — and on July 17, their journey reaches Louisville!

Freedom Day will feature acclaimed Rwandan-born singer and songwriter Enric Sifa, the 5 Weeks for Freedom riders and other special guests — along with an exhibit highlighting local artists, screenings of IJM’s powerful documentary At the End of Slavery and more!

Where:

Cincinnati Reds’ Great American Ball Park
100 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202

When:

Wednesday, July 21st | 7:10pm

This summer, 15 people are giving 5 weeks to cycle 1800 miles of the Underground Railroad. Join us for “Freedom Night” at the Cincinnati Reds’ Great American Ballpark as the team reaches Cincinnati on July 21!

The 5 Weeks for Freedom riders will bring the fight against slavery to the diamond as the Cincinnati Reds take on the Washington Nationals – together, we’ll take a stand against injustice. The tour riders will be featured throughout the game, from the opening pitch to cycling the bases, so get ready to cheer them on as we empower the entire stadium to join the movement.

Purchase game tickets from the Cincinnati Reds web site »

Because slavery has been defeated once. Because it can be defeated again – See you at the field!

Where:

Meet us at the lawn at 11th and N High Streets
Outside of Saxbe Auditorium at Drinko Hall, The Ohio State University School of Law

When:

Saturday, July 24 | 5pm

This summer, 15 people are giving 5 weeks to cycle 1800 miles of the Underground Railroad. Join us for a night of hope and support as the 5 Weeks for Freedom riders arrive in Columbus, OH, on July 24.

The event will feature Ohio State University athletes, the 5 Weeks for Freedom riders and local heroes bringing the fight against trafficking to Columbus. View a screening of acclaimed “rockumentary” Call + Response – to learn more about the issue, and hear from local anti-trafficking leaders and IJM staff what you can do to get involved in today’s abolition movement .

Because slavery has been defeated once. Because it can be defeated again – Join us.

Screening capacity is limited to 250 – priority will be given to those who have pre-registered online, so sign up now!

If you’d like to volunteer time and/or services for this event, please contact IJM at volunteer@ijm.org.

You can also join the exciting pre-rally events being held throughout Columbus on the “7 Church Underground Railroad” – meet heroes in the fight against injustice at any of 7 locations!

Seven Columbus-area churches have united to present the 7 Church Underground Railroad. On Saturday, July 24, three inspiring speakers will travel from church to church, until they reach OSU’s Freedom Day events at 5:00 p.m~ Stop by any of these events throughout the day on Saturday, July 24, to hear from Jim Martin, IJM’s Vice President of Church Mobilization; Rev. Joel King, activist and first-cousin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; and Emmanuel Inah, activist and trafficking survivor.

Where:

Saxbe Auditorium at Drinko Hall, The Ohio State University School of Law
55 West 12th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio

When:

Sunday, July 25th | 3:00pm

Meet with Congress.

Raise awareness.

Organize your community.

Advocate.

IJM Government Relations staff Erica Boonstra will be leading this training to help you learn to be an advocate on behalf of victims of human trafficking and modern-day slavery.
Learn the basics of how Congress works and how to lobby your elected officials on issues you care about. We’ll discuss everything you need to know—from getting in the door, to preparing an effective message and presentation, to follow-up strategies that will help ensure your goals are met. We’ll also role-play sample lobby visits so you can see these various techniques in action.

We’ll conclude this training by talking about how you can take action by developing a plan for your campaign. Having a strategy enables you to make the most of limited resources. Learn how to effectively set goals, identify and target decision-makers and creatively find tactics to help you meet your goals. We’ll talk about ways to work with the media to help scale up your advocacy efforts and ways to engage your community in advocacy and awareness activities.

Where:

Christ Community Church
1215 Hillsboro Road
Franklin, TN 37069-4642

When:

9:00, 10:45 am

Join the 5 Weeks for Freedom team for Sunday services at Christ Community Church, and hear from IJM Vice President of Church Mobilization Jim Martin, and acclaimed recording artist Sara Groves who will be leading worship. Jim will explore the Bible’s call to justice, drawing from his experiences alongside IJM’s frontline staff.