Art and the Abolishment of Human Trafficking

“Justice is love, correcting that which revolts against love.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Amanda Vernon

For Amanda Vernon, a full-time Catholic recording artist, wife and mother of 3, competing in ArtPrize, an independently organized international art competition, 501(c)(3), is also a means of raising awareness and working to help abolish a most grievous contemporary revolt against humanity.

Human Trafficking

“It’s sad but true: here in this country, people are being bought, sold, and smuggled like modern-day slaves. They are trapped in lives of misery – often beaten, starved, and forced to work as prostitutes or to take grueling jobs as migrants, domestic, restaurant, or factory workers with little or no pay.”– The Federal Bureau of Investigation

“Human trafficking is an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ. It is a crime against humanity.” – Pope Francis, Conference on Combatting Human Trafficking, April 10, 2014

Justice For All

“When any man, woman, or child is enslaved anywhere, it is a threat to peace, justice, and human dignity everywhere.” - Pope Francis, Trafficking in Persons Report 2014

Amanda's song, Cleaning and Scrubbing, won the ArtPrize pop/eletronic genre in 2013, a song contest offered by St. Cecilia Music Center within the overall competition. Her goal this year is to be the overall first place winner at the ArtPrize competition. She hopes that her 2015 song entry, "Justice For All," will be the means to ArtPrize victory while bringing society one step closer to the end of human trafficking – a multi-billion dollar per year industry.

Considering the Grand Rapids-based competition attracts artists from all over the world, gaining recognition for a song entry is a most complex and challenging feat.

"Most entries at ArtPrize are visual. Justice For All is a song that recognizes justice as a shield of truth and love. I believe that many ArtPrize visitors would connect with the message. But in order to win the competition, I think that the music and the message behind the lyrics must be seen, touched and experienced as well as heard." – Amanda Vernon

The Village

In the words of Amanda’s son, Jamal, “We are calling others to play a part in the music, just like each of us is called to play our part standing for justice.”

Justice For All – the CD, features three soulful pop songs by Amanda Vernon and the powerful testimony of Rosario Rodriguez, renowned inspirational Catholic speaker and miraculous survivor of two life-threatening crimes.

Justice For All, the ArtPrize entry project, is planned to be a high-definition, multi–media, multi-sensory work of art inspired and designed by Amanda Vernon and created by a village of artists and advocates. Some elements of Justice For All include a music video production by Jay Kadlec and a unique hands-on drum sculpture by Roli Mancera. Aquinas College is also contributing artistic support of Justice For All by sponsoring the Grand Rapids recording of a 100-plus-voice choir.

Actors Ben and Christine Christensen, Graphic Designer Fabiloa Tenorio and Project Manager Theresa Giacalone are also members of the Justice For All team.

I Can Love You

Amanda wrote and recorded I Can Love You for the Michigan Abolitionist Project to support, soothe the pain, and help heal victims of sex trafficking. It’s also a song featured on her upcoming CD with Rosario Rodriguez. Click here to receive Amanda Vernon’s email newsletter and receive a free MP3 download of I Can Love You along with exciting updates as the Justice For All project unfolds.

Visit www.amandavernon.com to learn more.