Thousands 'Walk for Freedom' to fight modern slavery

Selena Randhawa, CNN

Updated 1539 GMT (2339 HKT) October 17, 2017

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On October 14 2017, tens of thousands of people around the world took part in the "Walk for Freedom" to help combat modern day slavery. A21

Organized by anti-human trafficking group A21, the walk was held in 400 locations across 51 nations to help bring awareness and funding to stop slavery. A21

The walks have been held every year since 2014, to raise awareness about the estimated 40 million men, women, and children who are trapped in slavery. A21

Human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal industry in the world, generating more than $150 billion every year, according to the International Labour Organization. A21

By fundraising and rallying thousands of people to the cause, organizers hope the event will be a catalyst for the rescue and rehabilitation of human trafficking victims. A21

Marchers walked in single file, held up signs and wore yellow bandanas across their mouths. A21

The yellow bandanas each carried the name of an actual trafficking survivor as a reminder that real people are the victims. A21

A21's primary focus is tackling sex trafficking, Nick Caine, CEO of A21, told CNN. A21

"We got so many encouraging words, so many car horns, people shouting their support," said A21 co-founder Christine Caine, at the LA Walk for Freedom Leif Coorlim

"There's so many things that we're divided over right now, so that when people can see we're marching for freedom, that's something where we can all say 'yes, we can all stand for that,'" she added. A21

"I think it makes a big visual statement," she said. A21

Caine stressed that although 40 million slaves around the world can be an overwhelming number, this is something everyone can do to help stop slavery. A21

"All of us can put our feet on the pavement and use our steps to make a difference," she said. A21