TMAF: Trucking Moves America Forward Helps to Raise Awareness During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

TMAF is providing an online awareness and educational campaign to run throughout the month of January during National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The goal is to help raise awareness of the human trafficking national crisis; to highlight the unique position that truck drivers are in to take action, and to provide a list of the warning signs of trafficking and the hotline for drivers to identify and report suspects.

TMAF is utilizing its social media properties — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn – to educate throughout the month with facts and information on the widespread, national crime and how the industry can help.

“Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery taking place in every state across the country,” said Kevin Burch, co-chairman of TMAF and president of Jet Express, Inc. “With 3.5 million professional truck drivers on America’s roads, the industry and truck drivers are in a valuable position to help identify and report possible human trafficking cases. It’s important that drivers and all members of the public know the warning signs for trafficking and are empowered with the knowledge on how to report suspicious behavior.”

“The trucking industry and individual truck drivers are invaluable in the fight against human trafficking,” Elisabeth Barna, COO of American Trucking Associations and a board member of Truckers Against Trafficking. “Truckers are the eyes and ears of our transportation system, which allows them to close the loopholes that traffickers exploit for their own personal gain. We appreciate that TMAF is helping to raise awareness and educate truck drivers on the important role they can take in stopping human trafficking.”

FOX and various media: TMAF Shares Industry News from Holiday Season

This holiday season, trucking’s message resonated throughout the country from TMAF members. Below is a sampling of editorials and appearances in the news from national cable television programs to local weekly newspapers.

You can view full media stories by clicking on the bolded links.

In early December, Larry Spiekermeier, the owner-operator of Montana-based Whitewood Transport who delivered the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree, highlighted the importance of trucking’s role in our economy and holidays in a Fox News op-ed and through interviews on Fox News and Fox Business News.

Manuel Perales, a professional truck driver for Pilot Flying J, authored an op-ed that ran in the San Antonio News-Express discussing how the trucking industry keeps communities running and local economies growing throughout the holiday season — as the Modern Day Reindeer.

Last week, professional truck driver Nate McCarthy of ABF Freight based out of Wyoming authored an op-ed in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle where he talked about how trucking makes the holiday season possible.

And, in Maryland, pro driver Bob Weller with Hahn Transportation brought attention to the major effort behind moving all holiday goods in his  piece published in the Carroll County Times.