Fundraiser May 10 at Bedlam Lowertown: Minnesota Musicians Give Voice to MN Girls Are Not for Sale Campaign

In 2003, the FBI identified Minneapolis as one of 13 cities with a large concentration of child prostitution enterprises. That is shocking to me as a Minnesotan. It is frightening to me as a mother of three girls. It begs the question – how can we change that?

The local music industry asked the same question. Several MN artists came together to put out a Compilation CD titled Voice: songs for those who are silenced. The CD includes music from Haley Bonar, Dessa, Holly Hansen, Reina del Cid,Chris Koza, Jon Rodine, John Hermanson, The Ericksons, We Are The Willows, Robert Robinson, The Prairie Fire Lady Choir, Shá Cage and Jayanthi Kyle, The House Of Mercy Band, Angel with Angie, Luke Jacobs with Carrie Rodriguez, Charlie Parr, Joey Verskotzi and Ben Weaver. It’s a fundraising project for Women’s Foundation – MN Girls Are Not for Sale campaign. Accompanying the CD are two events.

There will be a CD release party at Bedlam Lowertown on May 10 at 6:00 pm. The event will include The Ericksons, We Are the Willows, John Hermanson, The Prairie Fire Lady Choir, a performance by Shá Cage and Jayanthi Kyle. Proceeds of Release will go to the Women’s Foundation of MN: MN Girls Are Not for Sale campaign. Also Hamilton Ink Spot will host an exhibition of posters by local artists, giving voice to those who have been silenced. (Exhibition May 1st-¬30th) There will be an Opening Reception, with live music performances Thursday, May 7, 6:00-8:00 pm. (Posters will be for sale at the Release show on May 10.)

MN Girls Are Not For Sale is a five-year campaign of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota to galvanize resources to end the sex trafficking of Minnesota girls.

They recognize that the prevalence of child prostitution has a complex set of root causes, the MN Girls Are Not For Sale campaign is specifically focused on decreasing the sex trafficking of underage girls by addressing the following goals:

1. Redefine prostituted Minnesota girls under 18 as victims of a crime, and ensure access to holistic services.

2. Decrease demand for child prostitution through effective law enforcement and policies.

3. Educate and mobilize public support and activism to end the prostitution of Minnesota girls.