VINEMONT, ALA– At its monthly meeting Jan. 9, the Vinemont Town Council proclaimed January Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The council also discussed several upcoming community events as well as acknowledged the first reading of Town Ordinance #0190, which would form and implement a planning commission.
The Human Trafficking Awareness Month proclamation reads:
“WHEREAS, human trafficking is a very real problem facing the world today, and – although it can take on many forms, including debt bondage, forced marriage, slavery and commercial sexual exploitation- in every case it goes against the core principles of individual freedom and civil rights that our state and nation stand for; and
WHEREAS, the Town of South Vinemont, Alabama is committed to ensuring that our community remains on the front lines in combating this deplorable crime; and
WHEREAS, due to its secretive and illegal nature, it is difficult to accurately quantity’s it the extent of human trafficking. However, the U.S. State Department estimates that anywhere from 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficking across international borders each year. Most victims of human trafficking are women or children who have been marginalized and isolate from society.
The difficulty grasping the full scope of this problem can be further compounded because people often turn a blind eye to it; and
WHEREAS, the first step in eliminating human trafficking is to educate others. We must work to ensure that all our resident is aware of this problem and how to spot it. WE must work together as a community to those human traffickers are punished and to protect and assist their victims.
Through the vigilance and perseverance of our citizen, effective enforcement of justice will someday be a reality; and
WHEREAS, we ask all residents of this community to join us in raising the visibility of this crime whose victims are all too often invisible. Together, we can become more informed about this pressing issue and work to combat its injustices.
NOW THEREFORE, THE Town of South Vinemont, does hereby proclaim the month of January 2024, as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in South Vinemont, Alabama.”
The monthly senior lunch was discussed as well; the lunch will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Vinemont Community Center. A lunch of salad, pizza and dessert will be provided by the Town at no cost to attendees.
In other business, the council approved the purchase and installment of two animal waste disposal stations to be placed in separate points around the community park and walking trail.
The council also held its first reading of town ordinance no. 0109 that, if adopted, would form a planning commission.
The Town will hold its Easter event on March 23, from 2-5 p.m.
The next South Vinemont Town Council Meeting will be held Feb. 13 at Vinemont Town Hall. The work session begins at 5 p.m. with the meeting following at 6.
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