Newport News Community Invited to Red Sand Day Event at CNU

The Newport News Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office is teaming up with Christopher Newport University and FreeKind for the Third Annual Operation Breakthrough on Thursday, February 12, from noon to 1 p.m. at CNU. The event marks National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and invites the community to take part in the Red Sand Project, a public art installation with a powerful message.

 

Volunteers place red sand into cracks in the sidewalk to represent people who can fall through the cracks of society because of vulnerability and exploitation. It is simple, visual, and hard to ignore once you see it.

 

Activities will be centered inside the Freeman Center in Rooms 201 and 202, where local and regional organizations will share prevention, advocacy, and survivor support resources. The sand installation will take place just outside the Freeman Center, weather permitting.

 

“Operation Breakthrough is about awareness, action, and community responsibility,” said Commissioner of the Revenue Tiffany Boyle.

 

Participating groups include FreeKind, Fear 2 Freedom, Survivor Ventures, Just Free International, VCAHT, and the Hampton Roads Human Trafficking Task Force.

 

The event is free and open to the public. Sometimes, filling a crack starts with simply showing up.