Mercer Island Bike Ride to Raise Money to Fight Human Trafficking March 17

Cyclists and teams will fight human trafficking and slavery with a fundraising ride starting at Luther Burbank Park on March 17.

Pedal Against Trafficking Humans (PATH) is a part of a local movement to reverse the trend of human traffficking and help get victims into safe environments where they can recover their lives.

The event costs $55 to register and check in is at 7:30  a.m. March 17. All proceeds are tax deductible. Veloce Velo Bicycles of Mercer Island is a partner of the event.

Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery in which people use coercion, deception, or force in order to exploit others into performing commercial sex acts, labor, or other services.

Washington is regularly flagged as both a national and global hot spot for human trafficking, and we are facing a growing problem in our area.

Recently, the federal government shut down alleged brothels in indvidual apartment units throughout downtown Bellevue. Six people, three of them from Bellevue, are accused of trafficking the women who were offering their services, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

For more information:

Mercer Island Patch: Pedal Against Trafficking Humans (PATH) Ride

Pedal Against Trafficking Humans: Website