March 3, 2008
Sex Worker Rights Day March 3rd
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Sex Workers Outreach Project-Northern California (SWOP-Norcal)
www.swop-usa.org
invites you and all our allies in San Francisco, to join us a as we march to celebrate:
International Sex Worker Rights Day
featuring the Brass Liberation Orchestra
Please email us at swopusa [at] yahoo [dot] com to join us as endorsers and sponsors.
When: March 3, 2008
Time: 11:30 am
Rally: 301 Eddy Street (Tenderloin Police Station)
March to: City Hall
For info: Carol Leigh 415-751-1659SWOP-NORCAL is launching the first U.S. march to celebrate International Sex Workers' Rights Day, March 3rd.
This inaugural celebration is especially important to sex workers in the Bay Area as we struggle to resist the escalating repressive policies of the Bush administration. This occasion renews our strength to demand recognition of our human rights as we struggle to combat violence and oppression against sex workers. This day reminds us that we are part of a global community of people who refuse to accept the discrimination against us and the criminalization of our work, our means to survive.
We appreciate the support we have received over the years from Bay Area individuals, organizations and communities and we celebrate YOU AND YOUR SUPPORT as part of this day!
SWOP-NORCAL demands:
• Decriminalize Prostitution!
Endorse local petitions and initiative drives to decriminalize prostitutioni.• Stop The Raids! No More Deportations!
In the guise of rescuing women from traffickers, San Francisco Police Department collaborates with the U.S. Department of Justice, resulting in the deportation of women. The Bush administration, their globalization and trade policies are the are some of the root causes of trafficking. Sex workers should be empowered to address abuses in our communities rather than excluded through this administration's "anti-prostitutioni loyalty oath." Sex workers are part of the solution!• No More Stings! Stop the Corruption!
Stop the entrapment of prostitutes and their customers. Clients and prostitutes are entrapped in stings, then 'blackmailed' by the District Attorney into attending stigmatizing, anti-prostitutioni 'reeducation seminars' (FOPP, First Offender Prostitution Program). The fees are exorbitant ($1000), but those arrested or cited attend, fearing exposure to their families, etc. But where has the money gone? Why is there no compliance with the San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance or financial audits? Although the Public Defender also sponsors a diversion program, why does the District Attorney enforce this monopoly on an expensive diversion option for prostitutioni related cases? Stop the corruption!History of March 3rd
The 3rd of March is International Sex Worker Rights Day. The day originated in 2001 when over 25,000 sex workers gathered in India for a sex worker festival. The organizers, Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, a Calcutta based group whose membership consists of somewhere upwards of 50,000 sex workers and members of their communities. Sex worker groups across the world have subsequently celebrated 3 March as International Sex Workers' Rights Day.
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SWOP-NORCAL invites you to join us and sex worker organizations around the world to celebrate the lives of sex workers as well as highlight sex workers' determination and strength.
Read other stories about past International Days For Sex Worker Rights
DMSC: Only Rights Can Stop The Wrongs
Old Law a Curse on SA’s Sex Workers: SWEAT, South Africa
Report from The Hindu, India National Newspaper
Ontario Coalition Against Poverty
Call to recognise rights of sex workers: The HinduScoop Independent News-South Africa
Terb.ca, Escort Board, Toronto
Valerie and Patricia of Sex Professionals of Canada www.spoc.ca
Sex Professionals of Canada www.spoc.ca
from Collective of Sex Workers and Supporters, Taiwan www.coswas.org
from Scot PEP www.scot-pep.org.uk
from Cambodia www.apnsw.org/apnsw.htm
from sexworkeurope.org
International Sex Worker Rights Day March Endorsed by:
BAYSWAN (Bay Area Sex Worker Advocacy Network)
San Francisco Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival
