Event Provides Education and Training Led by Local and Global Law Enforcement and Social Justice Organizations; Features Keynotes, Workshops, Expo, Film Screening and Concert Performances

MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Freedom Summit 2011 returns to the Bay Area for a second time to expand Bay Area community awareness and mobilization against human-trafficking, which represents a growing problem in our local neighborhoods. Freedom Summit 2011 brings together community groups, churches, students, health care professionals and others interested in working together to respond effectively to the growing problem of human-trafficking and forced labor in the Bay Area. The event, co-sponsored by Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition and Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, will be held January 21st and 22nd at Harbor Light Church in Fremont, CA.

Freedom Summit 2011 keynoters include Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Stanford University Professor and former U.S. Secretary of State; Dr. David Batstone, President and Co-founder, Not for Sale; Lt. John Vanek, San Jose Police Department Human Trafficking Task Force; and Bradley Myles, Executive Director and CEO, Polaris Project.

"Human-trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the modern world*, and it's happening in the Bay Area," said Betty Ann Boeving, event chair for Freedom Summit 2011. "Many Bay Area residents are unaware that trafficking and other forms of modern-day slavery exist so close to home. The collaborative work of civic, law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations is opening our eyes to the facts, resources and training available to empower us to stand against modern-day slavery in our communities. Freedom Summit 2011 will help attendees understand what they can do in 10 minutes, 10 days or 10 months to help us achieve a slave-free Bay Area."

Freedom Summit Expo hosts 30+ anti-trafficking organizations providing information, resources and training for community education and engagement. Event highlights: film screening of "Call+Response" plus musical performances by artist and justice advocate Sara Groves, and Jubilee. A meeting will be held for church leaders with interest in the Bay Area Anti-trafficking Coalition, 11:00 a.m. on January 21st. For information or to register, visit http://freedom-summit.org.

*Polaris Project, http://www.polarisproject.org/

SOURCE Menlo Park Presbyterian