'This has been happening for a long time': Modern-day slavery uncovered in South Georgia

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.ajc.com/news/this-has-been-happening-for-a-long-time-modern-day-slavery-uncovered-in-ga/SHBHTDDTTBG3BCPSVCB3GQ66BQ/


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. Attorney’s 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]

1. K&R

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. K&R.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. Why wasn't this uncovered earlier?

I wonder if that trial in Georgia last week wasn't a tipping point?

[keithbvadu2]

4. GQP would call this article CRT.

[Gore1FL]

12. Or Benghazi, socialism, George Soros, Saul Alinsky, against the troops...

I think they just draw from a hat, anymore.

[MustLoveBeagles]

5. K&R

[Joinfortmill]

6. Horrendous. They should give these workers the millions

They earned from the sweat off their backs.

[Farmer-Rick]

7. Well it seems Georgia had another horrific plantation spring up

Georgia just can't get away from its preferred slave labor economic model.

Slavery and capitalism did always work hand in hand.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

11. One of the many

Reasons I hate capitalism.
Horrible things happen in the name of profit. Stuff like whats going on in georgia.

[LymphocyteLover]

8. Awful... I think it went under the radar because hispanic laborers are such an invisible part

of our society

[TheRealNorth]

9. What is the jail time for running a slave plantation nowadays?

90 days in jail and a $100,000 fine? I am sure that will teach them a lesson.

[jaxexpat]

14. Perhaps life in prison forced to dig onions with bare hands would provide a lesson that sticks.

Vidalia's bitter secret about their sweet onions.

[Diraven]

16. The owners will get off

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]

25. The owners hire labor contractors who disappear when caught.

The owners know nothing, of course.

[Orrex]

10. It would be nice if we could revoke the citizenship of the slave traders

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]

17. There's justice in that suggestion.

I’m rarely shocked but this is shocking.

[keithbvadu2]

13. Libertarian capitalism

[NBachers]

15. And of course the local cops were completely oblivious.

[LastDemocratInSC]

18. It's a picture into the genteel and graceful Southern life

of the antebellum years. Mint juleps at sundown for all under the Spanish moss.

[Maru Kitteh]

19. It's still with us, and not just in the south.

[malaise]

20. This is what they want

Free labor

[lindysalsagal]

22. What is forced pregnancy if not slavery?

[druidity33]

23. How many of those freed will be sent back?

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]

24. Disgusting and evil

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.

[SharonAnn]

26. It's probably another mob business.