TWO hundred years after the signing of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, campaigners will be marching through Ely to highlight the plight of modern day slaves. Churches Together in Ely will be hosting a freedom walk for Stop the Traffik, a world-wide

TWO hundred years after the signing of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, campaigners will be marching through Ely to highlight the plight of modern day slaves.

Churches Together in Ely will be hosting a freedom walk for Stop the Traffik, a world-wide campaign to stop people trafficking.

Members will be urging people to sign two petitions; the first, which they hope will reach one million signatures worldwide by February next year, will be presented to the United Nations.

It calls on the UN to bring its influence to bear on Governments around the world to provide resources to tackle the problem of global people trafficking.

The second calls on South East Cambridgeshire MP Jim Paice to ensure resources are provided to tackle people trafficking locally.

Ben Jupp, chairman of Churches in Ely's Anti-Slavery Committee, said: "We are protesting at people trafficking of all kinds. From prostitution to the appalling mistreatment of migrant workers. People of all faiths and even those with no faith at all are welcome to join us."

He added: "Six months ago there was no local interest. Since then we have been reading reports of police raids uncovering people trafficking all over Cambridgeshire. People need to know that this is going on at their door-step."

The march will start at Ely Market Square at 11am on Saturday and will be led by Soham Comrades.

It will head to Palace Green, where there will be an information tent and Ely Cathedral and various other activities.

MP Jim Paice, who is unable to attend the event, said: "I am pleased to hear of this local action against the obnoxious trade in people, which takes so many different forms and is still present in today's world.