HOUSTON – Hundreds of people hit the street Saturday to stop human trafficking.
Lakewood Church and Force 4 Compassion, an organization dedicated to ending human trafficking, teamed up for a walk-a-thon.
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It happened shortly after sunrise on Saturday at Uptown Park near 610 in the Galleria area.
The group wanted to draw attention to human trafficking, the second largest crime in terms of dollars transacted in the United States.
"I actually know somebody personally that's been through it, so we just wanted to show them our support," said Maria Hernandez.
Many said the event is a way to stand up together for a crime that is very prevalent in Houston.
"(People are learning) about all the effects and hearing Houston is one of the most prevalent primary places," said walker Marci Moormann.
Modern-day slavery or human trafficking is a form of forced labor where traffickers earn money or profit from the sale, control, and exploitation of others, often times children. More than 700 people from Houston took part in the walk. The group said raised funds will help provide shelter and counseling for victims of sex trafficking.