The Red Sand Project event served as a powerful tool to bring this issue to the forefront of public consciousness, and included guest speakers James Kenney from the Central Florida Human Trafficking Awareness Task Force, State Attorney Andrew Bain, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez, St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke, Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland, and representatives from the Central Florida Human Trafficking Awareness Task Force. At the conclusion of the speaking segment of the event, attendees filled sidewalk cracks with red sand, symbolizing the people who “fall through the cracks” and become victims of human trafficking. This visually striking metaphor brought attention to the often overlooked and unseen plight of these individuals.
The event at the Osceola County Courthouse was part of a broader effort by the Central Florida Human Trafficking Task Force to combat human trafficking through education, awareness, and action. By gathering community members and stakeholders, the event shed light on the hidden and pervasive nature of human trafficking, urging collective vigilance and action to protect vulnerable populations.
