A week ago, a teleconference was held with Tim Ballard, a former special agent of the Department of Homeland Security who served on the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program. After leaving government service, Tim founded Operation Underground Railroad, a non-profit organization dedicated to combating the trafficking of minors for sexual slavery and organ harvesting.
Tim’s incredible adventures are the subject of the recently released film, “Sound of Freedom,” starring Jim Caviezel. Remarkably, despite a coordinated attack by journalists, the film was the top-grossing film of the weekend when it hit theaters nationwide on the Fourth of July.
Tim’s fluency in Spanish and his contacts in Latin America have proven valuable in conducting operations against sex trafficking of minors in countries like Colombia. However, he firmly believes that child trafficking is a significant issue in the United States as well, a sentiment that is supported by a webpage on the FBI’s website dedicated to this heinous crime.
It is perplexing how little attention this abomination receives. Tim drew parallels to the Abolition Movement of the past, which gained traction through increased awareness, such as Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, “Uncle Tom.” President Lincoln even acknowledged the impact of Stowe’s work, stating, “So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.”
However, it is worth noting that the Abolition Movement was markedly vocal in Great Britain and the northern United States during the early 19th Century. Sermons denouncing slavery were preached every Sunday in congregations in Boston and Brooklyn, and the British Royal Navy’s West Africa Squadron was created to combat the transatlantic slave trade. In 1807, Parliament abolished the international slave trade, and in 1834, the institution of slavery was abolished in British colonies.
According to the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on human trafficking, estimates suggest that around 27.6 million people were in forced labor in 2021. Of these, approximately 6.3 million were victims of forced commercial sexual exploitation. The true number may vary, but even if it is a sixth of the estimate, we are still left with one million sex slaves. It raises the question of why there is so little mainstream media coverage of this crime, despite the FBI and Department of State acknowledging its existence.
In light of this, it is disheartening to see reviewers like Charles Bramesco at The Guardian or Miles Klee at Rolling Stone, who wrote snarky reviews of “Sound of Freedom” and dismissed it as a QAnon conspiracy artifact. Are they simply brainwashed individuals, or do they suffer from a severe moral blindspot?
To delve further into this critical issue, readers are encouraged to explore the dialogue between Tim Ballard, Senator Ron Johnson, and other prominent figures, which can be found on the associated Substack page. The conference provides additional insights that may be of interest.
Furthermore, it is also worth watching the trailer for “Sound of Freedom” and searching for local showtimes. By supporting and engaging with the film, we can contribute to raising awareness about child trafficking and the urgent need to address this grave human rights violation.
In conclusion, Tim Ballard’s advocacy work through Operation Underground Railroad sheds light on the distressing reality of child trafficking for sexual slavery and organ harvesting. The lack of media coverage and dismissive attitudes from some reviewers only underscore the importance of amplifying the voices fighting against this abomination. Through increased awareness and collective action, we can strive towards a world where every child is safe and free from exploitation.
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