Pastor Ron Lewis at the SCTNOW New York Walk

September 27, 2009 New York, NY – History was made across the United States and in Canada today when nearly 10,000 people in 40 cities united to show their support for the fight against the global child sex trafficking endemic. The event was organized by Stop Child Trafficking Now, a one-of-a-kind campaign that was founded by Pastor Ron Lewis and his wife Lynette. SCTNow engages in activism and fundraising to generate resources that target source of child trafficking: predators who drive the sex industry everywhere in the world, including in our own local communities. The funds raised from this campaign will go to equip highly trained special operatives teams tasked with finding the sexual predators that pay for child sex slaves, gather evidence and present gift-wrapped cases to those who can bring them to justice. The special operatives teams will be comprised primarily of retired Navy Seals and other retired special ops and counter terrorism experts. While most funds are focused on the stopping the demand side, other resources are being given to partner organizations focused on the victims. For example, 23 former female victims in Cambodia were given jobs to make tote bags as incentives for the National Campaign.

The biggest event took place in New York City, where over 1,350 people gathered. Opening up the event, Ron Lewis proclaimed to the participants that “history is being made today. No longer can we allow this evil to exist in our communities, or anywhere else in the world.” Ron also read aloud a special letter written by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who personally commended the Stop Child Trafficking Now campaign for its efforts. The event was covered by several media outlets, and was later reported on the AP wires.

A highlight of the New York City event was the “Stiletto Run,” which saw 318 individuals participate in a footrace while wearing high-heeled shoes. The event broke the Guinness Book of World Records for the total number of people running in stilettos in one place at one time. The winner of the Stiletto Run, Ethel Neo, who had practiced running in stilettos in her apartment, received a bronze stiletto trophy.

Having raised more than half a million dollars since its inception in early 2009, Stop Child Trafficking Now looks forward to seeing its operative teams bring several sexual predators to justice in the near future. As legislation against child sex trafficking is strengthened throughout the United States, these high-profile arrests look to set a precedent and will serve as an example to ensure that no sexual predator feels safe practicing this heinous crime.