National Human Trafficking Awareness Day was observed Tuesday with a rally in Washington, D.C.

Included were politicians along with the various groups joining sex trafficking survivors and their champions, coming together to urge Congress to pass legislation to help end this crime.

In Manteca, a group gathered on short notice in front of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church at noon to show their support in prayer.

“We may be little but (together) we’re mighty,” uttered one parishioner.

 According to Valerie Re, who is the president of the Leader of All Nations – part of the local Legion of Mary, an international association of volunteer members of the Catholic church – many were moved by the summer movie blockbuster ‘Sound of Freedom,’ a film by director Alejandro Monteverde on the subject matter.

“We all saw the movie,” said Re, wearing white at the rosary rally along with her fellow parishioners as a symbol of the innocence of children taken away from this tragedy.

‘Sound of Freedom’ stars Jim Caviezel as former government agent Tim Ballad, who embarks on a mission to rescue children from sex traffickers in Columbia – the plot centers on Ballard’s Operation Underground Railroad.

The group at St. Anthony’s prayed the rosary followed by the liturgy, a set of responsive prayers with dialogue of worship from those participating.

“We’re praying for the children,” said Re, who mentioned that human trafficking is a modern form of slavery involving young people.

She added: “We pray for our government will stand up for our children.”