Southeastern student organization, Lions Against Trafficking (LAT), are hosting their first Electric Fun Run at North Oaks Park, located on North Campus, on March 22 in a fight against human trafficking. The run is meant to not only raise awareness of how active human trafficking is across the globe, but it will also specifically raise funds for the A21 Campaign, a global anti-human trafficking organization.
“When we donate the money to the A21 Campaign they will use it to help rescue human trafficking victims, build rehabilitation homes for them, pay for their vocational training or persecute traffickers,” said Laura Langberg, LAT president.
The cost of run is now $30 and will include the cost of registration, a plate of free jambalaya, prizes and a glow paint fight towards the end, making the run “electric.” Cost of tickets will also cover a disc jockey for the event.
Check in will start at 6:30 p.m. and the run (or walk) will begin at 7:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to wear white or black so the glow paint from the fight at the end will be as vibrant as possible. Also, in order to make the run as “electric” as possible, participants are encouraged to wear bright gear such as glow sticks or personal lights.
The evening will begin with a one-mile trek around North Oaks.  Participants are free to make this trek anyway they like, whether it be run, walk, skate, bike ride or even pogo stick, according to Langberg. After, names will be drawn for prizes and a speech about human trafficking will be given. The glow paint fight will wrap up the evening.
“At the Electric Run we hope to start off with the one mile trek around North Oaks,” said Langberg. “It is important for everyone to know about trafficking. How can you fight a giant if you don’t know it’s there? Awareness is a huge tool, and when people know what goes on and how, they can protect themselves and others from falling into this trap to begin with.”
According to Langberg, fundraisers like the Electric Fun Run are almost like a dose of preventative medicine.
“This run will help us by providing a venue to speak and be heard by a lot of people at once. We have been raising awareness while we advertized for the event, and we will raise awareness at the event. Hopefully those in attendance will be moved to action. They can plug in with LAT where we will give them opportunities to fight trafficking in practical, safe ways.”
The event will support an extremely important world issue which should not be ignored.  The student body of Southeastern, as well as those in the community, will not only learn about human trafficking in today’s world and in our own city, but they will also be fighting to stop it by participating in the run.
“The message that I would like to get across to the student body is that human trafficking exists in our city, and we cannot simply do nothing while suffering people are within our reach to help them,” said Langberg.  “No one person can do it all, but together as a functioning body of dedicated abolitionists, we could accomplish a great deal.”