by Hannah Poling
Maricopa County Republican Committee (MCRC) Chairman Craig Berland encouraged MCRC Precinct Committeemen and Arizonans to support the blockbuster film “Sound of Freedom.”
The Christian streaming service known for producing the “The Chosen” and “Tuttle Twins” series, Angel Studios, produced the film Sound of Freedom. Angel Studios released the film in theaters on July 4th. The movie tells the true story of a former government agent Tim Ballard, who established the nonprofit Operation Underground Railroad, and his suspenseful mission to rescue sex-trafficked children in Colombia.
According to Berland (pictured above), Sound of Freedom deserved “[s]pecial recognition for exposing the dark and disturbing world of human trafficking.”
“More than just making waves, ‘Sound of Freedom’ is a crashing tidal wave, bringing critical mass attention and awareness to the bravery and determination of individuals like Tim Ballard, who risk their lives to save innocent children from unimaginable horrors,” Berland said.
Berland acknowledged that the movie is difficult to watch but said the general reaction was “by far positive.” He also noted that he doesn’t understand why many mainstream media outlets attempt to associate the film with QAnon conspiracy theories when it’s indisputable that child sex trafficking is real.
“For some unknown or untold reason, many mainstream media outlets are trying to downplay or dismiss the movie as unworthy, exaggerated, or by calling it a conspiracy theory,” Berland said.
Despite the naysayer’s opposition to the film, Berland said the movie’s growing popularity shows Hollywood is losing their hold on what films the American public exercises its freedom to see.
“Despite the mainstream media’s campaign against the movie, the growing popularity of “Sound of Freedom” also represents the $100+ million sound of Hollywood mainstream movie studios losing their grip on what the American public exercises its own freedom to see at movie theaters around the nation,” he said.
According to Berland, all of his fellow MCRC Precinct committeemen and the Arizona general public should support the “Sound of Freedom” and, after seeing the film, make a judgment for themselves.
State Senator Frank Carrol (R-Suprise) and House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci (R-Lake Havasu) have also promoted the movie as an extension of their campaign against human trafficking.
Through the years, Carroll and Biasiucci have approved laws to combat human trafficking in Arizona, including House Bill (HB) 2889 in 2021 and HB 2696 in 2022, which impose harsher punishments on those found guilty of human trafficking and child abuse. Additionally, the lawmakers allocated $10 million in the fiscal year 2024 budget for law enforcement tools used to combat human smuggling.
The Center for Child Well-Being at Arizona State University estimates that 291 kids in Maricopa County were victims of sex trafficking between 2017 and 2020.
Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star, The Star News Network, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to hannahpolingreports@gmail.com
Photo “Craig Berland” by mrc2023.com.