This week – actions protesting the criminalization of sex work are being staged around the country, in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Thursday, 9/3
NEW YORK CITY | 225 Cadman Plaza East in Brooklyn, 12:00PM
We are outraged at this latest example of the abuse and selective prosecution of sex workers. We are sick and tired of this misuse of government time and money to persecute members of the sex industry. This unrelenting harassment and persecution endangers the health and safety of these workers and their clients, and disproportionately targets the poor and people of color.
We demand an end to this system of criminalization.
Saturday, 9/5
CHICAGO | Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, 2:00PM
In light of the recent raid on RentBoy and in solidarity across the country, sex workers and allies here in Chicago say; ENOUGH!
We are tired of being marginalized and criminalized and having our choices taken from us. It is time to make our voices heard, and our points clear. Decriminalize sex work and sex workers. May the string of recent events (Rentboy raid, Backpage Credit Card Scandal, closure of MyRedBook) bring the community together in a supportive, cohesive way.
LOS ANGELES | La Cienega and Santa Monica, 1:00PM
This Saturday, September 5th at 1PM, sex worker and TLGB community members and local allies will stage a solidarity march and protest against the continued attacks on the adult industry including the recent raid on rentboy.com, the continued Backpage.com credit card scandal, the closure of San Francisco-based site MyRedBook, recent moves by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation against the porn industry and local VICE stings that divert LAPD resources and target marginalized communities including trans people and communities of color.
SAN FRANCISCO | Harvey Milk Plaza, 2401 Market St, San Francisco, 1:00PM
In the words of the National LGBTQ Task Force: “Sex work is a fact of life — it has been, it is and it will be as long as human beings are around. Criminalization puts the livelihoods, health and lives of sex workers in jeopardy. It’s time for our federal justice system to get its priorities straight and it’s time once and for all to decriminalize sex work” (Russell Roybal, Deputy Executive Director).
On the weekend of Labor Day, let’s support our many “Laborers of Love.” Let San Francisco be a leader yet again!
