If you have spent any time on social media the past couple of days you might have stumbled upon a few photos of people with giant red Xs on their hands.
The notable red X is part of the “END IT Movement,” an initiative started in 2013 out of the Passion Conference in Atlanta, to shine a light on modern-day slavery.
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At the National Prayer Breakfast Thursday, Gary Haugen, International Justice Mission CEO and keynote speaker, who was wearing a red X pin, explained the movement to the attendees.
“Modern slavery is as vast and as brutal as it has ever been, but one thing is new: we now know how to stop it for good,” Haugen told the audience.
The horrors and degradations of slavery that we learned about as children continue on an even larger scale today. BUT one thing is new – we now know how to END IT for good. Learn more at https://t.co/yv5z9Mvpfq. #enditmovement pic.twitter.com/5QyDTmHFic
— Gary Haugen (@garyhaugen) February 7, 2019
President Donald Trump thanked Haugen and IJM for their work, saying, “You are truly doing the Lord’s work,” while commending them for “rescuing people from the bondage of human trafficking.”
“And as you know our administration is doing everything we can to make your work easier… ,” Trump added. “Together, we will end the scourge of modern-day slavery.”
The movement was commemorated on Thursday by many Christian leaders, including pastors, worship artists and politicians.
The Governor of Atlanta, Brian Kemp, shared a video to Instagram, in which he shed light on the human trafficking arrests that took place over the Super Bowl weekend.
“We applaud federal officials for arresting 169 human traffickers and freeing 18 victims here in Atlanta over the Super Bowl weekend, but our work must continue on,” the Governor wrote. “Join me in the #enditmovement to shine a light on this terrible industry and end it here in GA!”
Louie Giglio, the founder of Passion City Church and the Passion Conference, shared a photo of himself with a red X, writing, “Tragically, there are more men, women and children trapped in slavery today than at any time in history.”
“I’m in it to end it!” he added.
Chad Veach, the pastor of ZOE Church, also shared a photo with fellow megachurch pastors Rich Wilkerson and Levi Lusko, captioning it, “In it to end it.”
Levi Lusko, author of “Through the Eyes Of A Lion,” also shared a photo of him with his daughter Alivia saying: “Over 40 million people are trapped in slavery around the world today.”
“Every single one of them is someone’s daughter, someone’s son, someone’s sister, someone’s friend,” he wrote. “Liv and I are in it to END IT.”
Craig Groeschel shared his own photo, noting his gratitude for those involved with the movement.
“Thankful for all those who are in it to end it! Join me and many others who are shedding light to slavery today,” he wrote. “Learn more and get involved at @enditmovement.”
Australian evangelist and author Christine Caine shared a post of her and her husband Nick with red Xs on their hands, noting their passion for the initiative.
“Today and everyday, we are in it to #ENDIT. Over the last 11 years of @a21, together we have seen millions reached, and thousands identified, assisted, and restored,” she wrote. “@nickcaine and I are deeply committed to playing our part to ending this injustice across the globe. Today we raise our voices together with our friends @enditmovement for the millions of people still enslaved in the world today.”
Christian singer-songwriter Crowder posted: “Join me in drawing a RED X on your hand today to SHINE A LIGHT on slavery! Awareness is doing work, but that’s only the beginning.”
Worship artist Natalie Grant shared a photo with the red X, captioning it: “I’m in it to end it ❌ Raise your voice. Learn more at enditmovement.com.”
WNBA superstar Maya Moore, who just this week announced she’ll be sitting the upcoming season out to focus on her Christian faith and spend time with family, also tweeted her support of the event.
Slavery still exists. Let’s raise our voice together for freedom today!❌#EndItMovement ❌
Let’s be encouraged as even Jonathan Irons voice is being used today to fight for freedom for evryone trapped in human trafficking today❌?? pic.twitter.com/fBQFlFMIuW— Maya Moore (@MooreMaya) February 7, 2019
“Slavery still exists. Let’s raise our voice together for freedom today!” she wrote.
On its website, the END IT Movement defines slavery as “one person completely controlling another person, using violence or the threat of violence to maintain that control. Human-trafficking, the modern-day slave trade, refers to the illegal trade of human beings through abduction, the use of threat or force, deception, fraud, or ‘sale’ for the purposes of sexual exploitation or forced labor.”
You can find more info on the END IT Movement here.