On Saturday morning, September 28, 2024, Walsh University and Not For Sale: One Step At A Time hosted the sixth annual Community Freedom Summit featuring keynotes by David Frattare from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Michael Wheeler of Patriot Software. The day began with the impactful Red Sand Project. Participants poured red sand into sidewalk cracks to symbolize the vulnerable individuals who fall victim to human trafficking. Attendees also joined Freedom Educators on East Maple Street, holding educational signs, and visited 17 community partners at the Marketplace in the Cecchini Center—the largest participation since the summit’s inception.
During the educational portion of the event, keynote speakers David Frattare and Michael Wheeler addressed the growing role of technology in trafficking, emphasizing the need for vigilance to protect children and vulnerable people online. After the presentations, over 800 attendees participated in a silent one-mile Freedom Walk around campus, reflecting on the experiences of victims and survivors. Additionally, more than 400 Walsh University athletes took part in a special Freedom Walk on Friday due to their Saturday commitments.
This summit exemplifies Walsh University’s commitment to addressing the critical issue of human trafficking. Through education and advocacy, the University seeks to safeguard human dignity and raise awareness about this critical issue.
