New Anime Film Tackles Human Trafficking

A Chinese movie star is using his fame for a good cause by starring in an “adrenaline-fueled’ animated-short film about “human trafficking and sexual exploitation that have plagued the country, and for Asia, for decades.” (Ben Blanchard, Reuters) Zhang Hanyu, China’s newest critically acclaimed film star, who just won a Chinese Academy Award, lent his voice to the serious film “Intersection,” which will be shown on MTV China this weekend.



Thai and English versions will be broadcast on MTV’s Southeast Asia channels as well, and other versions are being planned. The film is from the perspective of 5 characters including a brothel owner, a trafficker and a victim. Designed in Anime style, filmmakers hope the format will be something young people can relate to.



“I hope the animation will stir meaningful conversations among youth about how we can fight against the tragic form of modern-day slavery,” Zhang told the press. “Intersection” is produced by MTV EXIT’s (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign, which is connected to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to raise awareness on the subject. “We’re using a different medium, animation, to alert young people about the risks of human trafficking,” Olivier Carduner, USAID’s Mission Director for Asia, said.



Drug and human trafficking is a massive problem in the region. The United Nations estimates that out of 2 million women and children who are trafficked every year, a whopping 30 percent are in Asia. The Chinese government has turned to harsh punishments for these crimes, including the death penalty. A recent high profile news case of the two American journalists, Euna Lee and Lisa Ling, were arrested after crossing the North Korean border into China to report on human trafficking.

Guns in Church?

Despite the recent shooting in church of high-profile abortion doctor George Tiller, a Kentucky pastor is still inviting his flock to bring their firearms into church.

In dubious celebration of the Second Amendment and the Fourth of July, New Bethel Church in Kentucky has invited its congregants to wear their firearms inside the church on Saturday, June 27.

“We’re just going to celebrate the upcoming theme of the birth of our nation,” said pastor Ken Pagano. “And we’re not ashamed to say that there was a strong belief in God and firearms — without that this country wouldn’t be here.”

According to an ad, the arms-bearing event will also include a handgun raffle, patriotic music and information on gun safety. Pastor Pagono says that private security will check visitors at the door to ensure that the guns are unloaded.

In Kentucky, gun owners are permitted to openly carry guns in public with some restrictions. Concealed weapons must have permits and firearms can’t be taken into places like schools, jails or bars and some other exceptions.

The event at New Bethel Church was planned months before the recent shooting of Dr. Tiller, a tragic event Pagano condemns and says highlights the need to educate the public about gun safety.

For the event, Pagano has encouraged his 150-member congregation to bring a canned good and a friend. As a former marine and handgun instructor, Pagano has said that the event is to promote gun safety, not mix violence and worship.

“Firearms can be evil and they can be useful,” he said. “We’re just trying to promote responsible gun ownership and gun safety.”

Marian McClure Taylor, executive director of the Kentucky Council of Churches, an umbrella organization for 11 Christian denominations in Kentucky, including Pagano’s Protestant church said that while Christian churches promote peace, “most allow for arms to be taken up under certain conditions.”

She added that Pagano assured her that the event would promote responsible gun ownership and that proceeds would go to charity.

While Pagano’s sect tends to be proud gun owners, fearful of the Obama administration restricting gun ownerships, other pastors are less than thrilled to see churches embrace guns.

John Phillips is an Arkansas pastor who was shot twice by a church member for unknown reasons while leading a service in 1986. He still has a bullet lodged in his spine.

He spoke out against a bill in Arkansas that would have allowed guns to be carried in churches in the state.

“A church is designated as a safe haven, it’s a place of worship,” said Phillips, “It is unconscionable to me to think that a church would be a place that you would even want to bring a weapon.”

For more information on the guns in church event, read the original AP article on Yahoo!