Appalachian State’s chapter of International Justice Mission is hosting Justice Week, called “Seek Justice. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly.” until April 12

The will address issues such as sex trafficking, human trafficking, bond labor, false imprisonment and more.

“The name is based of the verse Isaiah 1:17, which reads, ‘Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow,’” Barnett said.

Barnett said that the organization sees advocacy as the start to action.

“People cannot act until they are aware, so we exist to educate our campus on the realities of violent oppression in our world today,” Barnett said.

Barnett said that college students can make an impact on the subject.

“Our generation is a generation that is looking to have an impact, and we believe that wholeheartedly,” IJM President Madisson Barnett said. “Being on a college campus, we have a tremendous opportunity to inform and educate people on the injustices in the world today.”

Barnett said that the organization does service opportunities and partnerships with local organizations such as the Hospitality House, Oasis, Free People Free People, the Hundred Movement and Invisible Children.

“We want to be more than a campus chapter, but a force in our local community,” Barnett said.

The remaining events for the week include a slavery demo and a prayer and worship session Tuesday, an expo displaying other clubs fighting for social justice in the Whitewater Café Wednesday and a talk by national IJM speaker Libby Swanson in the Grandfather Mountain Ballroom on Thursday.

The Justice Week events end Friday with the Shelly Moore Band concert at the Harvest House at 7 p.m.

“The issues IJM faces are very complicated and require the attention of trained professionals,” Barnett said. “However, these trained professionals require support to do their work, and we truly believe that students have an opportunity to offer that support by raising their voices through advocacy and fundraising.”

More information about the chapter and the events this week can be found at ijm.appstate.edu.

Story: NINA MASTANDREA, Intern News Reporter; JOSHUA FARMER, News Editor