Victims of human trafficking joined city leaders and law enforcement officials outside Los Angeles City Hall on Tuesday to call attention to the plight of victims who are brought to the United States and forced into servitude.

Victims of trafficking displayed a quilt they created to commemorate their liberation from forced labor in a sweat shop. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Several victims of an infamous case of human trafficking that occurred 15 years ago in El Monte were present to commemorate the anniversary of their liberation. Officials said human trafficking can occur anywhere, and pointed to the El Monte case, and a more recent incident in the Koreatown and Rampart District, as examples of how human trafficking can go undetected.

FBI special agent Tricia Whitehill said the Koreatown and Rampart case occurred approximately three years ago and involved a family from Guatemala who brought female citizens from their country to the United States, promising them they would find employment. When the victims arrived, however, they were forced into prostitution. Whitehill said nine members of the family were eventually convicted of the federal crime of sex trafficking, and received sentences of 30 to 40 years in prison. Whitehall added that there were nine victims, including four minors. She said the only reason authorities learned about the trafficking was that a taxi driver who the family hired to drive the victims notified police.

“We would not have had that case without him (the taxi driver),” Whitehall said. “He knew what was going on and reported it.”

In the El Monte case, approximately 70 victims from Thailand were forced to work 20 hours a day without breaks at a sweatshop. The victims had remained silent about the ordeal for several years until becoming involved in a play titled “Fabric”, that details their experience and will be staged at the Company of Angeles Theatre.

Officials said both cases illustrate the importance of informing the public on the signs of trafficking. Some signs include people who are very rarely seen in public, or people who refuse to speak when contacted. Officials acknowledged that it is very hard to identify victims of trafficking, but added that it is extremely important to report suspicious activity.

“Too many people think that human trafficking and slavery are things of the past, so efforts to shine light on this tragedy are crucially important,” City Council President Eric Garcetti said. “The El Monte case was an incredible example of government and the community coming together to against the horror of human bondage. We must build on this model until every chain is broken.”

City Councilman Tony Cardenas, 6th, and Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck, also outlined the importance of contacting law enforcement. The LADP, FBI, ICE and several other agencies have formed a taskforce in the Los Angeles area to address human trafficking. Cardenas added that the economic recession may be an additional factor in making people vulnerable to trafficking.

“These people came here for the American dream, and what they got was a horrific nightmare,” Cardenas added. “We reaffirm our commitment to educating community members on modern day slavery, and reminding them that this is not just a crime that occurs in third world countries, but a crime that knows no boundaries.”

Anyone with information about  human trafficking cases is asked to call (888)539-2373