'Slavery In Our Backyards' Event Is Saturday

organization, Operation 21st Century, hopes to raise awareness about modern slavery at Saturday's "Slavery in Our Backyards: A Call to Action" conference, the college announced.

According to the press release, the event will spoken word performances, discussions and speakers, notably the founder of Free the Slaves nonprofit organization, Kevin Bales, who will deliver the keynote address.

"Our goal is to inspire and educate youth to join the abolitionist movement, which seeks to put an end to present-day slavery, in all its forms," OPT21 founder and executive director Janet Tso said in the press release.

"As many activists today would argue, slavery is hardly a thing of the past. In fact, globalization, over-population and technological advances have all led to new struggles for abolitionists."

Event is free to Connecticut College students, staff and faculty and is $10 for the general public.