Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) have pledged $500,000 to charities fighting human trafficking.
The move was inspired by one of baseball’s top players, Albert Pujols of the Angels, and the organization he founded with his wife two years ago called Strike Out Slavery.
“We thought very highly of the work they were doing,” said Melanie LeGrande, MLB vice president of social responsibility, “and we thought this was a topic we could have more of an impact on.”
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On April 24, 2025, the advocacy group International Rights Advocates (IRA) filed a federal class-action lawsuit against Starbucks. The suit alleges that the global coffee giant knowingly profited from coffee harvested through forced labor in Brazil. Simultaneously, Coffee Watch submitted a petition to US Customs and Border Protection to block imports of coffee produced with forced labor.
The case centers around eight Brazilian workers identified as
Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.