Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 5 / Friday, January 8, 2010 / Presidential Documents 1267 

Proclamation 8471 of January 4, 2010 

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, 

2010 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

The United States was founded on the principle that all people are born 

with an unalienable right to freedom—an ideal that has driven the engine 

of American progress throughout our history. As a Nation, we have known 

moments of great darkness and greater light; and dim years of chattel slavery 

illuminated and brought to an end by President Lincoln’s actions and a 

painful Civil War. Yet even today, the darkness and inhumanity of enslavement exists. Millions of people worldwide are held in compelled service, 

as well as thousands within the United States. During National Slavery 

and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we acknowledge that forms of 

slavery still exist in the modern era, and we recommit ourselves to stopping 

the human traffickers who ply this horrific trade. 

As we continue our fight to deliver on the promise of freedom, we commemorate the Emancipation Proclamation, which became effective on January 

1, 1863, and the 13th Amendment, which was sent to the States for ratification on February 1, 1865. Throughout the month of January, we highlight 

the many fronts in the ongoing battle for civil rights—including the efforts 

of our Federal agencies; State, local, and tribal law enforcement partners; 

international partners; nonprofit social service providers; private industry 

and nongovernmental organizations around the world who are working to 

end human trafficking. 

The victims of modern slavery have many faces. They are men and women, 

adults and children. Yet, all are denied basic human dignity and freedom. 

Victims can be abused in their own countries, or find themselves far from 

home and vulnerable. Whether they are trapped in forced sexual or labor 

exploitation, human trafficking victims cannot walk away, but are held 

in service through force, threats, and fear. All too often suffering from 

horrible physical and sexual abuse, it is hard for them to imagine that 

there might be a place of refuge. 

We must join together as a Nation and global community to provide that 

safe haven by protecting victims and prosecuting traffickers. With improved 

victim identification, medical and social services, training for first responders, 

and increased public awareness, the men, women, and children who have 

suffered this scourge can overcome the bonds of modern slavery, receive 

protection and justice, and successfully reclaim their rightful independence. 

Fighting modern slavery and human trafficking is a shared responsibility. 

This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms 

of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking. 

Together, we can and must end this most serious, ongoing criminal civil 

rights violation. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2010 as 

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating 

in the annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1. I call 


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1268 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 5 / Friday, January 8, 2010 / Presidential Documents 

upon the people of the United States to recognize the vital role we can 

play in ending modern slavery, and to observe this month with appropriate 

programs and activities. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day 

of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence 

of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. 

[FR Doc. 2010–313 

Filed 1–7–10; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3195–W0–P 


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