Concert to Raise Awareness of Modern-Day Slavery (Press Release)

Concert to Raise Awareness of Modern-Day Slavery

Anti-Slavery Group and Zizini African Arts host benefit concert on the Cape

HYANNIS — Zizini African Arts Center and the American Anti-Slavery Group are hosting a benefit concert in Cape Cod Saturday, April 30. The concert is expected to promote awareness about modern-day slavery and raise money for the American Anti-Slavery Group's abolitionist activities.

The concert will be held at Liberty Hall (2150 Main Street, Marstons Mills, MA) at 7 pm. Performers include Balla Tounkara of Groupe Spirit, Balla Kouyate, and Moussa Traore. In addition to a blend of African and western style music, concert-goers will hear from Francis Bok, a former slave from Sudan who was abducted at the age of seven and escaped ten years later.

The International Labor Organization estimates that 27 million people, mostly women and children, are currently enslaved in countries around the world. In the United States, approximately 17,500 people are trafficked each year to work as slaves.

"It is amazing that many well-informed and good people in our community are not aware of the presence of slavery in modern times," remarks Allan Shaidi, event organizer and owner of Zizini African Arts Center. "I hope that this event will help to change that."

Tickets can be ordered through Zizini by calling 508-790-2109. Tickets ordered in advance are $10 or $12 if purchased at the door. Proceeds will go to the American Anti-Slavery Group.

The American Anti-Slavery Group (AASG) is America's leading human rights group dedicated to abolishing modern-day slavery worldwide. Since its founding in 1994, AASG has helped free over 80,000 slaves, spotlighted and defended the work of local abolitionist activists worldwide, and launched an anti-slavery web portal that updates and mobilizes over 40,000 activists each month.

To find out more about modern-day slavery, visit http://www.iAbolish.org.