The Lincoln Airport will be hosting a human trafficking awareness event this month, in conjunction with the national Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI) prevention campaign.
Launched by the Department of Homeland Security, BLI trains aviation industry personnel to identify potential traffickers and human trafficking victims, and to report their suspicions to federal law enforcement. To date, over 140 aviation industry partners have trained more than 350,000 employees through BLI, and actionable tips continue to be reported to law enforcement.
Last year, the Lincoln Airport began training employees to recognize and report signs of trafficking under BLI.
“I think this initiative really shows that it is really everyone’s responsibility. Just being more aware that humane trafficking is a reality helps elevate what’s happening and we want the community to know that our staff is getting trained on this,” said Rachel Barth, Director of Marketing at the Lincoln Airport.
LNK is hosting an event to spread awareness in the community on Tuesday, July 30, from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Lincoln Airport (2400 West Adams Street) The inaugural event will feature local guest speakers starting at 11 AM:
- Paul Yates from I’ve Got A Name
- Stephanie Olson from The Set Me Free Project
- Brooke Carlson from Disrupting Traffick
- Lisa Molina from Traffic Stop – Voices Against Human Trafficking
- Jared Miller from Freedom Aviation Network
- Captain Jake Dilsaver from LPD Special Victims Unit
Additionally, there will be information booths and fundraising opportunities, along with a safety demonstration from Tiger Rock Academy. Food trucks will be on-site, and Voices of Hope will be accepting donations of basic hygiene products.
Participants will also have the chance to take part in the Red Sand Project, an art installation where red sand is poured into sidewalk cracks to symbolize overlooked individuals.
Click here to RSVP to the event, visit lincolnairport.com for more event details.
