CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- Nearly 200 people gathered at Centerway Square in Corning on Saturday afternoon for the 2nd Annual Walk For Freedom, a walk that raises awareness about global and local human trafficking.

"Human trafficking still exists" was a mantra repeated by many before the walk put on by A21 and Corning's Hope Church began. The U.S. Department of State says an estimated 27.6 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking at any given time.

"I'm doing this walk because I can't imagine my daughter being involved in something like that, losing her identity, identity being taken away from her, and being forced to do the things that is just ridiculous, and this is 21st century, by the way," said Chukwudi Okoro, a participant in the walk.

Okoro joined the Walk For Freedom with his three daughters, ages 15, 11, and 7. For him, the walk is also a learning opportunity for them and, people of all ages were there to learn and share what they know with others. Okoro says he wants his children to be aware of the warning signs of trafficking so they aren't caught in a trap.

The event took place in over 600 cities worldwide with over 300,000 people walking. Here in Corning, alongside several other participants, Okoro says he feels the walk is meant to show people that the issue still exists and, it even exists in our area.

Ashley Smith is a Senior Pastor at the Hope Church in Corning. After hearing about these persisting cases of human trafficking, they decided to connect with A21 last year to host a walk in Corning.

"At Hope Church, you know, as we started getting connected, we realized there are stories happening right around our region," said Smith. "We had some ladies come to our church who were former prostitutes in Elmira. They're like 'it happens here.' We've had social workers come to our church who have shared that right here in Centerway [Square], this is where some kids have been exploited from."

In 2023, the National Human Trafficking Hotline reported over 400 signals from victims or survivors in New York State. Around 141 signals were reported in Pennsylvania.

Once people gathered in the Square, organizers explained how the walk would work. People were asked to form a single-file line and remain silent for the entirety of the walk. This was because each person in line is meant to represent a victim or survivor of human trafficking. They carried signs and wore shirts to make witnesses aware of what they were walking for.

"I think it's worth sacrificing a Saturday and taking a walk and making a public awareness of, 'hey, this problem exists, this problem is actually in our area,'" said Okoro. "This problem needs to be eradicated."

Organizers hope to continue hosting the event each year and bring in bigger crowds to raise more awareness and send a stronger message to the area.

For more information and resources on human trafficking, you can visit A21's website.