Red Sand Project in NN symbolizes filling community gaps to stop human trafficking
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — January is recognized as National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. As part of the fight, the Newport News Commissioner of the Revenue and Christopher Newport University announced the 2nd Annual Operation Breakthrough: A Red Sand Project Installation.
The Red Sand Project consists of pouring red sand into sidewalk cracks, symbolizing the effort to 'fill societal gaps where human trafficking thrives.'
The event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 30, at Christopher Newport University. Participating organizations will share resources, insights and steps to combat human trafficking. Community involvement is critical to amplifying this message and creating meaningful change.
Event Details:Location: Christopher Newport UniversityDate: Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025Set-Up Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Event Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Confirmed participating organizations include:
Fear 2 Freedom
Freekind
VCAHT
Transitions Family Violence Services
Survivor Ventures
Just Free International
Newport News Police Department
The Center for Sexual Assault Survivors
'As Commissioner of the Revenue, I firmly believe that protecting all taxpayers shouldn't wait until they're in the midst of a crisis like human trafficking. During National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we are reminded that every taxpayer is an investor and stakeholder in our economy, deserving of respect, support, and proactive advocacy—not treated as criminals or afterthoughts. This event highlights the importance of community collaboration in ensuring dignity and justice for all,' said Tiffany M. Boyle, Newport News Commissioner of the Revenue.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Elizabeth River Trail designated as a National Recreation Trail; first in Hampton Roads
NOTE: The above video is from previous coverage on the Elizabeth River Trail. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Elizabeth River Trail (ERT) Foundation announced they have received the designation as a National Recreation Trail on Monday. Study: Elizabeth River Trail boosts Norfolk's economy by over $18M According to a release, the designation is given out by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Monday's announcement makes the ERT just one of over 1,300 National Recreation Trails across the United States, and the only one in entire Hampton Roads region. 'This designation is a big win for our region, securing the Elizabeth River Trail as a national destination,' executive director of the ERT Foundation Kindra Greene said. 'This recognition goes a long way in ensuring the longevity of our urban trail for the future.' The release states the designation will allow for the ERT to have opportunities for regional collaboration, increased tourism and long-term preservation. In addition, the increased national visibility has the potential to increase local economic activity within Norfolk. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
NNPD hosts 3rd annual Gun Violence Awareness Walk at City Center
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – The police department is hosting the third annual 'Gun Violence Awareness Walk' at City Center Wednesday evening. The walk comes after a string of violence police are hoping to get the public more involved. NNPD hosts 2nd annual Gun Violence Awareness Walk The walk is a way for people to allow themselves to talk to each other about how tired they are about gun violence. In its third year, it's a way for people who call Newport News home a chance to take back the community after recent shootings in the city. One man was seriously hurt at a shooting on Traverse Road, and one woman was killed near the intersection of 27th Street and Wickham Avenue — both at the end of May. As a long time resident of Newport News, James Perrin said he is happy the police are getting involved with the community to stop the violence. 'They patrol around like they are supposed to. But you still got a lot of young people out here doing those sneaky stuff at night,' said Perrin. Dozens of people will walk around the fountains at City Center wearing orange, the symbolic color for gun violence awareness. At 6 p.m., police, city leaders and community members will walk and talk about the collective commitment they have to end gun violence. 'This event serves not only as an important reminder of the seriousness of gun violence both in our community and nationwide, but also as a celebration of our community's commitment to developing lasting solutions to this critical issue,' said Chief of Police, Steve Drew. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Three Virginia high school students seeking $10M in lawsuit over principal's accusation of ‘racist harassment'
Three Virginia high school students are suing their principal, alleging defamation for being called racist over a birthday card and gift they gave a fellow student they insist is a friend. Three students at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach say Ryan Schubart, the school's principal, 'published materially false and defamatory statements in an email addressed to the entire student body on or about March 13, 2025,' according to reporting from WAVY. The students are seeking $10 million in damages. According to court documents obtained by the outlet, the principal claimed the students engaged in 'racist harassment' and 'will be disciplined to the fullest extent possible.' The plaintiffs were reportedly part of a 'close friend group,' which included a student who was allegedly a victim of racial harassment. Tim Anderson, an attorney representing the students, said: 'They shouldn't have been brought out to the town square and castigated in front of the entire community, with adults weighing in, calling them racist. You don't do that to children. It ruins their lives.' He added that what Schubart wrote in the email was not an accurate reflection of what occurred. Per court records, on March 12, the birthday of the alleged victim, the plaintiffs 'presented the gift recipient with a gift intended as a joke consisting of handwritten notes on a birthday card, a bag of fried chicken, and various candy, which was received in the same spirit as a friendly gift by the recipient.' The entire encounter lasted between two to three minutes, court records state. Security footage of the incident showed 'The plaintiffs, the gift recipient and other students laughing, hugging and engaging in friendly behavior.' In his email, the principal wrote that a staff member intervened after witnessing the exchange, which Anderson disputes. 'The principal said that a teacher had to break up the incident that didn't happen,' he told the TV station. 'We have video evidence [that this] absolutely did not happen.' 'All of these boys were close friends. The Black child, [it] was his birthday,' Anderson said. 'The boys were bringing him a gift for his birthday, a gift that he asked for. The child said that the card that was given to him was funny.' He continued: '[The] principal had all that information, but he omitted it, and he spun it up as this is an incident of racial harassment, racial bullying.' The attorney claims the plaintiffs 'have been threatened and property damage has occurred.' The boys have also been removed from the school. The Independent has emailed Kellam High School for comment.