This past Saturday March 3rd, Buzzazz.com Internet Marketing Solutions and LEDPRO Indoor/Outdoor LED Screen Advertising, and a few others co-sponsored the 6th annual St. Pete Human Rights Festival in beautiful downtown South Straub Park, along the magnificent downtown waterfront.

The Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Youth for Human Rights and ten other Human Rights Groups committed to showcase why Human Rights issues are in need of greater support.

The event was a celebration of artistic expression that committed those present to raising the general awareness about basic human rights violations occurring both locally and around the world. The upbeat, fun and entertaining festival atmosphere was topped off with a wonderful dance competition which included scores of local, talented and diverse participants.

Approximately a dozen different groups with a diverse variety of styles, ages and performances competed for over $10,000 in prizes! Community MIME, Tapped In and Diamond Dancers took home first, second and third prizes, but all left victorious as the event captured everyone’s heart.

The panel of celebrity judges included 100 Days of Dance and Dancing with the Stars’ Sergey Onik, Tampa Bay Magazine’s Aaron Fodiman and Dancing with Grace’s Grace Badillo. Special entertainment during the festival by the King of Swing Frankie Ingo, TJ Thomas Jimenez and the always amazing Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Cheerleaders capped off the day in spectacular form.

The event's specific purpose was to raise awareness of fundamental human rights, as outlined by the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights especially Human Right Number 19, Freedom of Expression.

Free printed booklets and DVDs containing the message of Human Rights were available at a booth sponsored by Youth for Human rights at the event. The city of St. Pete and the Festival sponsors have plans in the works to expand next year’s event to all new heights, so stay tuned for more details to come.

Human rights: the rights you have simply because you are human.
For more information visit  http://www.stpetehumanrightsfestival.org/

About the organizers of the St Pete Human Rights Festival:

The Human Rights Group
The purpose of the Human Rights Group is to revitalize society by making the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights known and accepted. They work to end modern day slavery and other human rights abuses through enlightening individuals on the rights we all share simply because we are human. They do this through educational outreach and human rights events.

The Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking (FCAHT) is a human trafficking victims advocacy organization created in 2004 by Anna Rodriguez. Ms Rodriguez has extensive experience in identifying, advocating and supporting victims in need, and assisting them in pursuing justice. She is experienced in law enforcement and prosecution of such cases, and with human trafficking case law.

United for Human Rights (UHR) is a not for profit organization that assists and unites individuals, educators, organizations and governmental bodies to implement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at local, regional, national and international levels. The organization has a wide range of educational materials including a video entitled “The Story of Human Rights” and an educator’s guide. The material is used in schools, churches, and various civic groups to educate children and adults so that they understand their human rights, and, armed with that knowledge, work to implement and protect those rights. These materials are created in collaboration with the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International which was inspired by the words of L. Ronald Hubbard, “human rights must be a fact, not just an idealistic dream”.

Youth for Human Rights Florida
Youth for Human Rights Florida is a chapter of Youth for Human Rights International. This is a secular non-profit organization with the purpose to educate people on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights so they become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace. The uniqueness of the program lies in its educational materials. Their educational materials include youth-designed video of the 30 Human Rights, along with the award-winning music video UNITED - a street-savvy, multi-ethnic, five minute film in 15 languages - conveying the power of human rights awareness.