Simon Deng is a South Sudanese-American human rights activist and a former victim of modern-day slavery. At the age of nine, he was abducted from his village in southern Sudan during the Second Sudanese Civil War and spent several years in domestic servitude. After escaping and eventually moving to the United States, Deng became a prominent voice against human rights abuses, specifically focusing on the ongoing practice of slavery in Sudan and the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities in the region. He is widely known for his 'Sudan Freedom Walks,' long-distance marches designed to raise awareness about genocide and slavery in his homeland. Deng has testified before the United Nations and worked closely with various human rights organizations and political leaders to advocate for the liberation of the Sudanese people. His activism often bridges gaps between different communities, as seen in his 2024 co-founding of the African Jewish Alliance, where he is a coalition member; the alliance aims to combat Islamist extremism and promote cross-cultural solidarity.