Biking for Freedom

International Justice Mission is a nonprofit agency that operates in parts of South America, Africa, and Asia on a case-by-case basis to help victims of oppression ranging from sexual exploitation to forced labor slavery. In developing countries many rural citizens are underrepresented, often losing property or even illegitimately jailed. IJM lawyers prosecute the individuals who commit these injustices and provide aid to their victims.

Starting on June 28, International Justice Mission has partnered with Venture Expeditions on a campaign tour to raise awareness about the nearly 27 million slaves throughout the world. Their 5 Weeks for Freedom bike tour includes fifteen ordinary people who will bike 1800 miles of the Underground Railroad. Having started in Mobile, Alabama, the tour will stop in major cities along the way, including Nashville, where Cool People Care is based. 5 Weeks for Freedom will also be stopping in cities in Kentucky and Ohio, eventually ending the tour in Buffalo, New York.

The campaign is a very physical reminder of the oppression endured by millions of people around the world, as well as those from this country’s history. The volunteers who are biking throughout the campaign range from students to professionals who all wish to make a difference for individuals around the world by raising awareness of their plight. Simply put, 5 Weeks for Freedom “reminds us that change happens when ordinary people do what they can to stop injustice, that the evil of slavery has been defeated once, and that, together, we can do it again.”

5 Weeks for Freedom will stop in Nashville July 9-11, and you can see them at multiple events at Christ Community Church in Franklin and Belmont Church in Nashville. While stopped in Nashville, IJM and the 5 Weeks for Freedom bicyclists will hold movie screenings about IJM’s work in countries around the world alongside concerts with feature artists Amy Groves, Derek Webb, and Christa Wells. For more information on specific event details, click here.

International Justice Mission works toward positive change every day, and with your support they will be able to improve the quality of many more individual’s lives.