Youth for Human Rights of Tampa Bay is sponsoring a fashion show in which attendees will also be educated on the reality of modern-day slavery while providing a solution – support clothing manufacturers who only employ workers at fair exchange. The “Colors of the World” fair trade fashion show will be held on Saturday, June 9th in Tampa. 

Fair Trade Fashion Highlights Tampa Human Rights Event

Summary: Youth for Human Rights of Tampa Bay is sponsoring a fashion show in which attendees will also be educated on the reality of modern-day slavery while providing a solution – support clothing manufacturers who only employ workers at fair exchange. The “Colors of the World” fair trade fashion show will be held on Saturday, June 9th in Tampa. 

TAMPA: Youth for Human Rights of Florida is raising awareness of the harm created by human trafficking in the garment industry – and showcasing the solution at the “Colors of the World” fashion show to be held at Ybor Square on Saturday, June 9th from 1pm to 4pm.

The fashion show will feature fair trade and eco-friendly clothing and accessories. 

Tickets are $30 per person and include refreshments.  All proceeds will benefit the fight against human trafficking. 

The show will open with performances from singers and songwriters Jessie Leros, Hanna-li and Dustin McGahee.  Dustin is the President of Youth for Human Rights Florida. 

Fair trade is the practice of paying workers an equitable wage for what they produce, so that they can afford to send their children to school, live in adequate housing, and have access to food and medical care. 

Slave trade is prevalent and practiced by major manufacturers of many clothing manufacturers as well as other consumer items.  Last year Spanish authorities broke up a ring of 80 sweatshops where people worked, ate and slept in the same room manufacturing clothing and other items with little or no pay.  Almost half of the 450 victims were forced to work as payment of a “debt” for being brought into the country.

A recent New York Times investigation (January 25, 2012 “In China, a Human Cost”) revealed virtual slave labor conditions and a dangerous working environment condoned by Apple and other manufacturers of US electronics products.  

Youth for Human Rights feels it is vital for people to take the time to learn about the problem and support those designers, manufacturers and farming collectives that practice fair trade. 

The group utilizes public service announcements and educational materials to instruct other youth on what basic human rights are, and the history of human rights. 

For more information about the Colors of the World Fashion Show you can go to youthforhumanrightsflorida.org, www.fairtradefashionshow.org and to purchase tickets please call (727) 272-3982 or email youthforhumanrightsflorida@gmail.com 

The event is being held at Ybor Square (1300 East 8th Ave in Tampa), the current home of the Church of Scientology Tampa which makes its event space available free of charge to non-profit organizations.

“Our founder L. Ron Hubbard said that ‘Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream,’ and this is why we support Youth for Human Rights,” said Church spokeswoman Elena Chiancianesi.

Educator Mary Shuttleworth founded youth for Human Rights in 2001. The purpose of the group is to popularize the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which includes the right to not be enslaved or tortured. To find out more, please go to www.youthforhumanrights.org.