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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums'This has been happening for a long time': Modern-day slavery uncovered in South Georgia
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A yearslong human trafficking operation trapped migrant workers in modern-day slavery on South Georgia farms, according to a federal indictment unsealed last week.
Victims include over one hundred laborers smuggled from Mexico and Central America into brutal and inhumane working conditions. Under the threat of gun violence, some were allegedly forced to dig for onions with their bare hands, earning only 20 cents for each bucket harvested. At least two people died on the job. Another was allegedly repeatedly raped.
When not out in the fields, workers were detained in work camps surrounded by electric fencing, or held in cramped living quarters, including dirty trailers with raw sewage leaks. There was little to no access to food or safe drinking water.
Twenty-four accused members and associates of the criminal enterprise that perpetuated the exploitation now face a slew of felony charges, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Georgia. The multi-agency cooperation that yielded the indictment dubbed Operation Blooming Onion may be one of the largest-ever human trafficking and visa fraud investigations in the country, VICE News reported.
*snip*
Solly Mack
(90,779 posts)WhiskeyGrinder
(22,389 posts)Baitball Blogger
(46,755 posts)I wonder if that trial in Georgia last week wasn't a tipping point?
keithbvadu2
(36,871 posts)Gore1FL
(21,151 posts)I think they just draw from a hat, anymore.
MustLoveBeagles
(11,631 posts)Joinfortmill
(14,448 posts)They earned from the sweat off their backs.
Farmer-Rick
(10,201 posts)Georgia just can't get away from its preferred slave labor economic model.
Slavery and capitalism did always work hand in hand.
I_UndergroundPanther
(12,480 posts)Reasons I hate capitalism.
Horrible things happen in the name of profit. Stuff like whats going on in georgia.
LymphocyteLover
(5,652 posts)of our society
TheRealNorth
(9,497 posts)90 days in jail and a $100,000 fine? I am sure that will teach them a lesson.
jaxexpat
(6,843 posts)Vidalia's bitter secret about their sweet onions.
Diraven
(526 posts)They are rich enough from this scheme to hire good lawyers who will pin it on "a few bad apples" who operated the farms for them.
hunter
(38,323 posts)The owners know nothing, of course.
Orrex
(63,220 posts)While granting it to their victims.
Absent revocation of citizenship, how about seizure of all assets under asset forfeiture? They certainly seem to enjoy doing it when it's an impoverished first-generation American with a minor traffic violation.
byronius
(7,399 posts)Im rarely shocked but this is shocking.
keithbvadu2
(36,871 posts)NBachers
(17,134 posts)LastDemocratInSC
(3,648 posts)of the antebellum years. Mint juleps at sundown for all under the Spanish moss.
Maru Kitteh
(28,342 posts)malaise
(269,157 posts)Free labor
Response to Nevilledog (Original post)
malaise This message was self-deleted by its author.
lindysalsagal
(20,721 posts)druidity33
(6,446 posts)Chances are our government will send these laborers back to Mexico and Central America. Other than prosecuting the owners and field bosses, what else can be done here? Legally, i mean...
Johnny2X2X
(19,104 posts)But I bet they get slaps on the wrist.
And slavery exists in the Southern prison system too. Forced labor for little to no pay is the norm in prisons.