Youth for Human Rights Tampa Bay’s 2nd Annual Human Rights Walkathon

Tampa Bay, FL
1 March 2008

Youth for Human Rights of Tampa Bay, Florida, held its 2nd Annual Human Rights Walkathon at North Straub Park to promote human rights, with over 350 people from all walks of life in attendance. They were joined by the Red Cross, Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Community Tampa Bay, the St. Petersburg Islamic Center and the Nation of Islam.

Sponsors for the event included the Vinoy Hotel, Telemundo TV, the Bellair Country Club and the Admiral Farragut Academy, as well as the Sunscreen Film Festival. Jamba Juice had a tent and gave away free drinks to support the event.

The participants circled the park, gaining a new wristband each time they successfully completed a lap helping them to keep track of their laps. The person with the most wrist bands won the prize. Afterwards speakers including Anna Rodriquez, founder of the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking; Mary Shuttleworth, President of Youth for Human Rights International; and Iman Wilmore Sadiki from the St. Petersburg Islamic Center inspired the crowd.

Actress Catherine Bell then spoke on the importance of human rights and was followed by performances by the Dunda Dole Urban African Ballet Dancers and the Dixie Chaps jazz band.

Rounding out the day of events, representatives from the various human rights groups in attendance held a luncheon and round-table discussion on human rights and worked out solutions to address key issues.