- Source: CNN " data-fave-thumbnails="{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/170314173245-my-freedom-day-video-00001401.jpg?q=x_0,y_0,h_1080,w_1919,c_fill/h_540,w_960" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/170314173245-my-freedom-day-video-00001401.jpg?q=x_0,y_0,h_1080,w_1919,c_fill/h_540,w_960" } }" data-vr-video="false" data-show-html="" data-byline-html="
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Updated 8:41 AM EST, Thu January 11, 2018
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Freedom messages from around the world
01:00 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

Up to 45 million people are trapped in slavery, worldwide

On March 14 2017, students took action to fight modern slavery

CNN  — 

What an incredible day. On March 14 2017, students at hundreds of schools, spread across six continents, did something amazing: they came together to form a global community, shining a light on modern-day slavery.

It was colorful, for sure. In Erzurum, Turkey, students produced posters and eye-catching artworks; in Qingdao, China, pupils used hand prints to make their mark against slavery, and in Hertfordshire, England, students had a “Holi run,” throwing colored powder to celebrate freedom.

But there was a serious side too, with debates, film screenings and presentations that brought home the reality of human trafficking, a crime that has some 40 million victims worldwide.

Above all, there was a sense of hope – that with young people as committed and creative as these, slavery can become a thing of the past.

Read through our live coverage below to see how the day unfolded.