In the ongoing effort to eradicate the insidious crime of human trafficking, the collective force of District 'D' Councilmember Eugene Green, alongside partners at NOLA Hub, is set to bring their initiative to the forthcoming 2025 Carnival season, as revealed in a press conference to be held on February 19 at 4:30 p.m. at the Orleans Parish Prison. Since its inception during the recent Super Bowl, the alliance has furnished respite and support to over a dozen survivors, a stat released by the New Orleans Council's news announcement.
The councilmember, engaged with a coalition comprised of entities such as the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, Voices of the Victims of Crime, and spearheaded by Covenant House CEO Rheneisha Robertson, prioritizes the safety and freedom of individuals caught in trafficking's exploitative web, they find themselves in a fight not simply against crime but against a pervasive shadow economy that trades soul for coin. According to the New Orleans Council released, Auxiliary New Orleans law enforcement officers including Chief Deputy Sheriff Inga Barre and Captain Stephanie Mento, as well as representatives from the New Orleans District Attorney's office and the New Orleans Family Justice Center, led by Executive Director Mary Claire Landry, are due to participate in the press conference, laying out a roadmap for the anti-trafficking drive.
Advocates like Anne Kiefer from Voices of the Victims of Crime share powerful stories from victims and survivors, highlighting their fight for justice and resilience. These accounts drive organizations like Covenant House and NOLA Hub to work toward ending trafficking.
