This July, we’ve been collecting submissions for our Photos 4 Freedom campaign. We at Free the Slaves are excited to announce our winner: The Anchal Project.

The Anchal Project is a nonprofit that provides alternative careers in textiles to sex workers in India. The beautiful graphic that they submitted not only incorporated our “free” criteria but also integrated the creative work that they provide to local artisans.

A big thanks to The Anchal Project, and all of our other incredible submissions!

You can see all of this year’s Photos 4 Freedom submissions on our Facebook page.

Last week, we announced the beginning of Free the Slaves’ annual 4^th of July photo contest, now with the catchy new name of “Photos 4 Freedom.” These past two years, you’ve dazzled us with your creative ways of finding freedom in your daily lives. From food, to street signs, to your beautiful children, we’ve seen it all. But now, we want to see it again!

We’ve had two great submissions thus far, but we would love to see some more.  To get those creative juices flowing, FTS interns took to the streets of DC to get some “free-spiration” in our nation’s capital. You don’t have to travel far; in fact, we’d love to see freedom in your own back yard. With the 4^th of July just two days away, don’t forget to bring your camera to snap some Photos 4 Freedom this holiday!

With June quickly coming to a close, there’s one thing on the minds of many Americans: the 4^th of July. Even though we unfortunately won’t have a three-day holiday weekend (a Wednesday 4th, really?!), this day continues to provide us with an opportunity to celebrate America’s independence in the company of family and friends, along the backdrop of barbeques and fireworks.

Here at Free the Slaves, July 4^th is not only a day to commemorate America’s freedom, but it is also a reminder of all those who are not as fortunate to share in this gift of liberty.  When the chorus of “Born in the USA” dies down, we ask you to remember our 27 million brothers and sisters around the world who remain enslaved. Whether it’s in brothels, on farms, in brick kilns, or mines, slavery continues to exist in many forms in nearly every country of the world.

To celebrate our freedom and to continue to inspire us for the work that lies ahead, we ask you to join us this 4^th of July by sharing Photos 4 Freedom.  Simply take a photo of someone or something that expresses what freedom means to you. Be sure the word “Free” is in the photos.

Upload photos to our Facebook page. The photo that receives the most “likes” will be spotlighted on Free the Slaves social media outlets, and the contributor will receive a personalized thank you package from Free the Slaves. Make sure to post photos by Friday, July 6^th. We’ll announce the winner the following week.

Check out our Facebook album from last year’s contest for some ideas. Get creative in fighting slavery today!

Note: By uploading photos, you confirm that the people in the photos have given their permission and that Free the Slaves can use these photos to raise awareness and funds to combat slavery.

You may eat sustainable food. You probably support green building. You likely recycle, compost, and buy local.

But what about sustainable people? What about the tie between fair trade and human rights? And how close it all is to home?

If you’re in Berkeley on April 20 you should drop by “The Slave Next Door.” It’s an event named after the FTS book that exposes modern slavery in the U.S. You can hear inspiring speakers, meet local organizations, buy fair-trade products—and get ready to make justice personal.

The Project Peace Speaker Series is proud to host FTS co-founder Kevin Bales, co-author of The Slave Next Door and one of the world’s leading experts on modern-day slavery. As well, a local slavery survivor, Minh Dang, will join the discussion for a night of information, inspiration, and action.

Many Bay Area anti-trafficking organizations are participating in the event. It is sponsored by Free the Slaves, Fair Trade USA, and Mazzarello Media and Arts.

Mark your calendar: Friday, April 20, 2012, 7:00-9:30pm- doors open at 6:30 p.m. First Presbyterian Church,2407 Dana Street,Berkeley,CA94704. Check here for tickets.

We’re really close to our goal, with just a few days left to our special campaign. FTS supporters have been answering the call donate the book Slavery to California schools and libraries. You can put us over the top on our Freedom Education Project on Indie GoGo. All donations, big or small, get us closer to the goal.

Now that’s a better way to help educate kids than buying a lottery ticket!

Most kids learn that slavery ended with Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. That’s not entirely accurate. Lincoln helped make slavery illegal. But that hasn’t prevented slavery from still existing.

There are 27 million slaves in the world today – more than any other time in history. Thousands are here in theU.S.Just like inLincoln’s time, slaves are forced to work without pay under threat of violence, and they’re unable to walk away.

Join the pilot phase of our Freedom Education Project on IndieGoGo. Our goal is to donate 27 books about modern slavery to schools and libraries inCalifornia. The books feature the luminous photography of Lisa Kristine, who has traveled to the frontlines to capture Free the Slaves field projects around the world.

See photos from the book in a stunning video at the Freedom Education project webpage.

All proceeds help Free the Slaves fight slavery worldwide.