(Free the Captives is calling on 30,000 Texans to urge Governor Rick Perry to help end slavery by focusing on the buyers, starting in Houston, the state’s hub for sex trafficking. While much attention is paid to victims and traffickers, we must not forget about the buyers of young girls and women. The buyers are at the root of sex trafficking. Buyers in Houston are not being arrested. In the last year and a half, only TWO buyers have been arrested in Houston. Take a stand. Sign the petition to Governor Perry, and let your signature help bring light in darkness.)

Dear Governor Perry:

 From one Texan to another, your help in fighting human trafficking is needed. As you are well aware, Houston is a hub for sex trafficking. The buyers of young girls and women are at the root of sex trafficking. As long as there is a demand from buyers, there will always be a supply of girls from traffickers. Girls cannot be sold without a buyer, and Houston is not arresting the buyers.Texans want to end slavery by targeting the buyers.

 You, Governor Perry, can play a powerful role in fighting this crime by urging Houston’s city officials to enforce current laws and arrest the buyers of young girls and women. I respectfully ask you to make our state a leader in the fight to end modern-day slavery by urging:

 1. Houston Mayor Annise Parker to make arresting buyers a priority. Targeting landlords, who rent out space to cantinas and massage parlors, is not enough because this mainly focuses on international sex trafficking. Girls, born and raised in Houston, are being sold on the Internet, street, and motels. Sex trafficking does not require a landlord, but it does require a buyer.

 2. District Attorney Pat Lykos to accept and prosecute the charges of solicitation against buyers instead of letting them go.

 3. Chief of Police Charles McClelland, Jr. to actively pursue and arrest buyers who are purchasing sex. The “boys will be boys” attitude must not be tolerated.

 4. Sheriff Adrian Garcia to also actively pursue and arrest buyers who are purchasing sex. The buyers must be held responsible for their role in enslaving girls and women. Governor Perry, we need your help to bring an end to slavery. Please urge Houston officials to arrest the buyers. It is the only way to end sex trafficking.

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