ANAHEIM, Calif, May 1, 2018 – Entering its second year of outreach, Strike Out Slavery is advancing its mission of educating baseball fans about modern-day slavery by partnering with the Washington Nationals and pitcher Stephen Strasburg to host an awareness festival before the Aug. 23, 2018, game and a postgame concert featuring Nick Jonas. In addition, Strike Out Slavery will return to Angel Stadium on Sept. 15, 2018, for the second-annual Strike Out Slavery Day with first baseman Albert Pujols. Fans attending this game also will be treated to a postgame performance by global superstar Jonas.
“When my wife and I got involved with the International Justice Mission in 2015, I learned that human trafficking is an underreported and misunderstood social justice issue that affects my community,” Strasburg said, “and I’m proud to join my friends Albert and Deidre and Nationals fans in learning how to address modern-day slavery and recognizing courageous survivor ambassadors for telling their stories.”
International Justice Mission is one of the international nongovernmental organizations that partner with Strike Out Slavery. Other NGOs include 27 Million, A21 Campaign, Agape International Missions (AIM), Exodus Cry, F.R.E.E. International, International Sanctuary, Open Gate International and Polaris.
Pujols and his wife Deidre created Strike Out Slavery in 2017 after learning that children and adults are being forced into labor and sex trafficking, which enslaves 45.8 million people in 167 countries –and it’s on the rise in the United States. They knew that if Major League Baseball teams, players and fans joined them, Strike Out Slavery could spread awareness about modern slavery and help an international network of nonprofit organizations rally against it. The inaugural Strike Out Slavery event was held at Angel Stadium in September 2017, where more than 40,000 attendees learned about the issue. A year later, Strike Out Slavery is expanding as other players take a stand against slavery, enabling the message that ‘enough is enough’ to reach legions of baseball fans across the nation, even the world.
“We are grateful for Major League Baseball teams and players who use their influence to educate fans about modern-day slavery,” said Albert Pujols. “Despite the pervasiveness of human trafficking worldwide, a lack of awareness is undermining efforts to prevent its growth. We created Strike Out Slavery to educate baseball fans in a family-friendly environment and encourage them to connect with a network of nonprofits to learn more and take action.”
Washington Nationals Host Festival and Concert
The Nationals become the second ballclub to partner with Strike Out Slavery, with Strasburg serving as the player ambassador rallying to present Strike Out Slavery Day Thursday, Aug. 23, at Nationals Park.
The day will kick off with a pregame awareness festival open to all ticketholders. Here, fans can interact with global and local nonprofit organizations fighting the insidious trafficking trade, pick up important safety information, and take part in family-friendly activities and giveaways. Organizations expected to take part in the festival include national nonprofit partners as well as local nonprofits who are on the front lines of fighting against human trafficking.
Following the 1:05 p.m. game, all fans will be invited to stay for a concert featuring Jonas, who most recently contributed to the “Ferdinand” soundtrack with the song “Home,” which was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. This will mark Jonas’ second year supporting Strike Out Slavery. He performed at the inaugural Strike Out Slavery Day at Angel Stadium in September 2017.
Los Angeles Angels Take Stand against Modern-Day Slavery
Serving as a player ambassador, Pujols is leading the Angels’ involvement with Strike Out Slavery again this year.
Strike Out Slavery Day at Angel Stadium will be held Saturday, Sept. 15. Before the first pitch is thrown during the 6:07 p.m. game, all ticketholders can walk through a family-friendly awareness festival featuring Strike Out Slavery’s international nonprofit partners and Orange County-based nonprofits, ministries and community organizations giving a local voice to this international issue.
All fans in attendance also will be invited to stay for the aftergame concert with Jonas. The award-winning songwriter is stepping up again to support Strike Out Slavery and spread its message to his fans worldwide.
A press conference will be held at Nationals Park in July featuring Albert and Deidre Pujols, Strasburg, Jonas, human trafficking survivors, and leading experts on the issue of human trafficking. A second press conference will be held at Angel Stadium in August featuring the Pujolses, Jonas, and human trafficking survivors and experts.
About Strike Out Slavery
Strike Out Slavery was created by Albert and Deidre Pujols in 2017 with the goal of raising awareness about the existence of modern-day slavery and raising funds for major organizations fighting this insidious crime internationally. In 2018, Strike Out Slavery is partnering with the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels to host a Strike Out Slavery Day, extending awareness about human trafficking from coast to coast.
Go to strikeoutslavery.com for more information.