DALEJANWAY
MAYOR
Post Office Box 1569
Carlsbad, NM 88221-1569
(575) 887-1191
1-800-658-2 713
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
STEVE MCCUTCHEON
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
For Immediate Release
October 9, 2014
Contact: Mayor Dale Janway, 887-1191
Cyclist Visits Cavern City as Part of Anti Trafficking Campaign
Luis Leonardo, spokesperson for the Hope 27 anti-trafficking effort, cycled into Carlsbad Wednesday
evening as part of a trek across the country. The 80-mile mountain ride may have fatigued him a bit, but
Luis still found time to visit with Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway and other local officials before retiring for
the evening.
"We were all honored to be a part of the Hope 27 trip across the country," said Janway. "Mr. Leonardo
is spreading awareness and information about an extremely serious issue."
The 27 in Hope 27 represents the 27 million people who are victims of human trafficking worldwide.
Leonardo is biking 2,700 miles from California to South Carolina, and he plans on finishing Oct. 27.
The scene Wednesday evening in front of Carlsbad's City Hall may have stunned passing motoristsshortly after rolling into town on his single gear bicycle, Luis lined up with several police officers and
sheriff's deputies to "plank" on their arms for 27 seconds. The officers, Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway and
Police Chief Kent Waller then issued challenges to other officials and officers along Leonardo's route to
do the same.
This wasn't the fad kind of planking- this is an isometric strength exercise that involves holding your
body in a push-up position for an extended period of time.
The stop in Carlsbad was Day 9 of Luis' journey. He rode from El Paso to Salt Flat, Texas, the previous
day. There was nowhere to stay in Salt Flat, so he and a friend returned to El Paso by vehicle to stay the
night.
They drove back to Salt Flat the following morning, and Luis began a harrowing journey along the
highway through the Guadalupe Mountains.
"It was by far the hardest leg ofthe journey so far," Luis admitted .
Luis is a former professional triathlete and a professional trainer, but this is the first time he's tackled a
trip across the country.
COUNCILORS
Wardl
BlCK G. SALCIDO
WardZ
SANDRA K. NUNLEY
J.ll. DOPORTO
Ward3
Ward4
JASON G. SHIRLEY
JADLL B. WBITLOClt
The cycling trip, along with the planking challenges, are all part of a fundraiser set up at Hope27.com .
Money raised goes to the Hope and Rescue Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at ending human trafficking.
Before the trip started, Luis held the planking position for 27 minutes.
"This is also a way of encouraging people to live a healthy lifestyfe in addition to bringing awareness
about human trafficking," he added.
Luis said he met and befriended the founder of Hope 27 several years ago.
"After lots of conversation, I told him I had a dream of biking across the U.S.," he recalled . "He thought
about it and asked if I would bike across the country for Hope 27. That's how I became a messenger."
Luis, who lives in Minnesota, planned to leave Carlsbad Thursday morning and head east through Hobbs.
" Every day is a different challenge," he concluded. "I invite people to share Hope 27 and, if it is in their
hearts, to support an organization that is fighting human trafficking."