David Arquette hosting 14th Annual CASTLA Slavery to Freedom Gala

Tonight CASTLA (The Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking) is having their 14th Annual From Slavery to Freedom Gala at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. This event will honor survivors, as well as those who have shown extraordinary leadership in protecting and empowering survivors of modern day slavery and creating social change that will help put an end to this human rights violation.

This year’s gala will honor trafficking survivor Angela Guanzon and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Gala attendees will also have an opportunity for a special 5:00 p.m. tour of the Skirball Cultural Center exhibit, Women Hold Up Half the Sky. Inspired by the best-selling book Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, this groundbreaking exhibition addresses the oppression of women and girls worldwide as the human rights cause of our time.

CAST Honorary Board Members Eric Garcetti and Amy Elaine Wakeland will serve as master of ceremonies at the event. Honorary host committee members include David Arquette, Congresswoman Karen Bass, Congressman Howard Berman, Thomas J. Blumenthal, State Controller John Chiang, Congresswoman Judy Chu, City Controller Wendy Greuel, Senator Kevin de Leon, Liebe Geft with the Museum of Tolerance, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome E. Horton, Chair of California Board of Equalization, Congresswoman Laura Richardson, Butch Shuman, Mira Sorvino, Senator Darrell Steinberg and Marisa Tomei.

CAST is the longest running and largest anti-slavery organization in the country and the first to advocate for laws to protect victims. Known for opening the first shelter for trafficked women and girls in the country, CAST is the go-to resource for the media, religious leaders, policy makers, law enforcement, and the philanthropic community for information about modern day slavery, as well as the final lifeline for human beings escaping slavery. CAST is known for a one-of-a-kind leadership development program for survivors of trafficking who are now using their voices to impact federal and state policy.

For event ticket and sponsorship opportunities visit castla.org or email gala@castla.org. For general donations and to help CASTLA reach its Gala fundraising goal, visit crowdrise.com/castla.

CLICK HERE to hear stories of slavery survivors who have been helped by CASTLA.

Last years’ event was co-chaired by Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. Other notable attendees included Darrell Steinberg, Lisa Ling, David Arquette, Cheryl Hines and Sara Rue. Below are photos from that event.