Hi Friends!

We are really excited about our new program #Voiceit.  So here are the five reasons you should join #Voiceit.

Ready, set, go!

1.) IT KEEPS YOU INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY & WORLD ISSUES. 

If you are reading this post I am guessing you are already interested in making a difference in your community & world, so good job! Sometimes we get busy with life and we think the only people that need our help live in some far off country. So not true! We came up with the idea of having monthly challenges, this way we can all stay active in helping others around the world and in our own backyard. I mean, probably not in your actually backyard.. At least I hope not…  That would be awkward… Ok, you get the idea…

2.) IT’S SIMPLE AND EASY.

Yep. This is true. You don’t have to hop on a plane or devote the rest of your life to a cause. Most of the challenges can be done in a few minutes, yet your actions will have an impact. All you have to do is watch the video, do the simple challenge, and post about it on a form of social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook). Make sure to tag Speak Up Revolution  in your post (Twitter @speakuprev, Instagram @speakuprevolution) and/or use the hashtag #voiceit[insert month] for example #voiceitapril. You are not obligated to do it every month, just when you want to. Simple & easy right? Yep!

3.) YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE THROUGH THE CHALLENGES.

It is easy to get overwhelmed with the magnitude of an impossible situation. Speak Up Revolution has always strongly believed that true change is accomplished through the small steps of many. Never underestimate the small things we do, they all add up and create a large impact.

4.) CONNECT WITH OTHERS WHO WANT TO CREATE CHANGE.

Who wants to do something alone? Speak Up Revolution is all about working together. This way we can encourage each other while making a difference. Thanks to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram we can all stay in contact. Thank you social media! Also, at the end of every month, Speak Up Revolution will hold a live podcast talking about the month’s topic. We encourage all those involved in the challenge to call in and share their own personal experience!

5.) BE A PART Of SOMETHING BIGGER.

I want to be a part of something bigger than myself, and if you have read this whole post I am assuming you are right there with me.  So let’s make a difference together!

 Ok, have I convinced you yet?!

Watch the video below and #VoiceIt!

Dear Speak Up Nation,

We are really excited about the new program we announced earlier this week called #voiceit, which starts  this April! Our idea with #voiceit is to give people a chance to become involved in different issues in our community. The activity will be fairly simple, with a small time committment and big impact on a major issue facing society. During the first week of every month we will have a short video going over the challenge. Then, we will be encouraging you to share your progress as well as check out what others are doing by joining the conversation via Twitter and Instagram by using the hashtag #voiceit. Then during the last week of each month we will host a live podcast with special guests, calls from you and other participants, and maybe even some live music. The format is similar to 6 Days to End Slavery, but #voiceit is designed to keep us all involved in issues in our community by using our voices and actions every month. If this is something you would like be involved in, please email us at info@speakuprevolution and we will send you more information.  Are you excited to #voiceit?! Let us know in the comments below!

- The SUR Team

The people of California have spoken, and made it clear that human trafficking will not be tolerated in the Golden State. With 81.1% of voters choosing yes, Proposition 35 became the most popular proposition in the history of the state of California.  The increased prison terms and added requirement for convicted traffickers to register as sex offenders will help law enforcement protect society from sexual predators and keep our children safe.

Speak Up Revolution would like to thank all our volunteers and supporters who joined us to learn about and make a difference in the fight against human trafficking in the United States. However, the fight is not over. With our knowledge comes a new responsibility. We must stand up for the young boys and girls who are being victimized in our country and abroad, and continue to keep the dialogue going with our friends, families, coworkers, and anyone who will listen.

Right now, there are children in our country who are being put out on the street, beaten, and exploited. Remember that awareness, prevention, and personal involvement on your part could change or save the life of someone you know.

Don’t forget to check our website, blog, and Facebook page to stay updated on what Speak Up Revolution is doing in your community, and help us stop human trafficking together!

Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

- Jeremiah Whitten & The SUR Crew

Today is an exciting day in America.

As hundreds of millions of Americans flock to community centers, churches, government buildings, and other polling places to vote, we will be exercising one of our most precious rights as Americans. The Speak Up Revolution team is excited to see Proposition 35 on the ballot in California, and we hope that all of our supporters and the participants in the 6 Days to End Slavery challenge will use their votes to help us stand up for human trafficking victims across the state.

If you have already voted, we thank you sincerely and if you have yet to vote, we encourage you to go and SPEAK UP for what you believe!

- Jeremiah Whitten & the SUR Team

We are really excited that Speak Up Revolution was included in Good News Etc.’s article  about the sex trafficking situation in San Diego. Make sure to take a look at this great imformative article at the link below.

http://issuu.com/awodigitaledition/docs/goodnews_sd_nov12?mode=window&viewMode=doublePage

The SUR Team

Congratulations team, we are half way through the 6 Days to End Slavery challenge! Everything is moving so fast, and I feel humbled by the amazing support and active participation from everyone involved in the campaign. The discussion boards have been lighting up with informative posts from people across the United States who are passionate about the trafficking issue and we are all learning so much together. The podcasts have also been a huge success, with talented musicians and excellent guest speakers each night using their talents and knowledge to help equip our listeners to protect the exploited and vulnerable in our community against those who seek to destroy and abuse them.

Day 1 of the challenge was focused on being informed. We were able to get insight onto the bigger picture of human trafficking (domestically and abroad) from Ethan Batstone of the anti-slavery group Not For Sale. Local Electronica/Folk band Tacky Little Hatshop was able to provide our listeners with a sample of their talent-packed music and thought-provoking lyrics, and participants were given an opportunity to share their excitement and experiences.

Day 2′s focus was prevention. This extremely important, and often overlooked aspect of the anti-trafficking movement is vital to our goal of standing up against sex trafficking in our communities. Youth organizer and anti-trafficking advocate Emily Turner was the special guest, and she shared several common warning signs to look for and ways to help safeguard our youth against sexual predators.   One key focal point of Emily’s interview was her emphasis on the internet as a new and deadly tool used by traffickers to ensnare teen girls and exploit them. We learned that, by keeping communication lines open with our children, friends, and family, we can protect ourselves and the people we love from human traffickers. Mike & Paige from San Diego Christian College  provided excellent musical entertainment for our listeners as well, representing the college-age generation in the fight against human trafficking.

Day 3 of the challenge focused on prosecution. We were joined on the podcast by special guest Cath Rogers from California Against Slavery, and she shared with us about the current California laws regarding human trafficking. She also gave us an in-depth overview of anti-trafficking Proposition 35, a California ballot initiative up for a vote in November. New Jersey import, and friend of the podcast, Jeremiah Koczman performed live for us, and got the chance to share his feelings about the trafficking situation in the U.S.

We are looking forward to tonight’s podcast, and hearing about what our participants have learned about day 4′s focus of recovery and rehabilitation. Special guest Susan Munsey is slated to call in and share with us about her safe house organization Generate Hope, and our musical guest will be Shem Gott of popular North County band Ladies & Gentleman, accompanied by Annie Preston of Tacky Little Hatshop!

Tune in, tonight’s show seems like it is shaping up to be the best one yet.

Thank you all, for joining with us to learn about and fight against sex trafficking in America.

Jeremiah
Staff Writer,
Speak Up Revolution

We thought we would devote a post to all of your frequently asked questions about the “6 Days to End Slavery” challenge.

Q: Do I have to go to a specific place each day?

A: No. It is an online based campaign so it can be anywhere in the world.

Q: Does it cost anything and who can be a part of this?

A: It is free and anyone can join!

Q: How do I sign up?

A: Visit www.speakuprevolution.com/6daystoendslavery to sign up.

Q: Is it just learning about trafficking or will we be doing things?

A: A large part of the campaign is awareness and prevention. There will also be other activities and challenges to help with the anti trafficking effort.

Q: How will I know what to do?

A: The challenges will be posted online each day along with videos  talking about each day’s theme.

Q: What will the podcast be about?

A: A podcast is like an online radio show. Every night we will have a live podcast you can either listen to online or download after it is done. The podcast will feature live musicians, interviews from prominent members in the anti trafficking community, and an opportunity for participants of the challenge to call in with their stories and experiences from the day.

Q: Do you have to sign up with a team?

A: No, you can sign up as an individual as well. The reason why we encourage teams is so people can work together on the challenges. It is always more fun doing things together.

Q: Is this for Christians only?

A: No. Scripture verses will be a big part of the daily videos, but this challenge is open to anyone.

If you have any other questions that are not addressed on this post feel free to email us at info@speakuprevolution.com .

The Speak Up Revolution Team

Jeremiah Whitten meets with Nate Alcorn of The Church at Rancho Bernardo

San Diego Christian College Campus

After productive meetings with San Diego Christian College‘s Steve Jenkins (Director of Spiritual Life) and the Church at Rancho Bernardo‘s Nate Alcorn (Director of Outreach & Missions), local support is steadily building for Speak Up Revolution’s 6 Days to End Slavery campaign.

First there is going to be a local spotlight on the challenge during chapel at San Diego Christian College on October 17th, to kick off the first day of the challenge. This will be an awesome way for SDCC faculty and students to get involved in the anti-human trafficking movement in San Diego, and to dig into the scriptures that instruct believers on how to respond to this and other social injustices.

In addition, Speak Up Revolution will have a booth at the Church at Rancho Bernardo’s Human Trafficking Forum and Concert, hosted by anti-sex trafficking group Not For Sale, also on October 17th (for more information on this event visit http://www.thechurchatrb.org/event/2012-10-17-not-for-sale-human-trafficking-event/). We are excited to be a part of this event, and looking forward to sharing what God is doing through Speak Up Revolution at this event.

We are so thankful that we have these two groups, as well as many individuals and teams, dedicated to learning about and opposing sex trafficking in San Diego and across the globe!

There are so many verses where the Lord commands us to stand up for the hopeless and powerless in our communities, but I will leave you with one of my favorites. Jeremiah 22:3 not only commands us to do no wrong or violence to the weak, but to DELIVER them from the hand of their oppressors.

We need action and boldness, and we need to allow God to use us as deliverers.
Jeremiah 22:3  

“Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.”

- Jeremiah Whitten & The SUR Team