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Letter from Robyn Few,
Director of SWOP-USA
Director of SWOP-USA
Dear Friends,
What an unbelievable week we've had. On Friday December 9th, Md. Nazrul Islam, sex workers rights organizer from PARC,
Rehabilitation for
Prostitutes and Rootless Children, came from Bangladesh to
spend the week with SWOP USA and observe International Day to End
Violence Against Sex Workers. It has been a great experience to have
him here and we really appreciate Bill Simpson for hosting Mr. Islam in
his home.On Sunday, December 11th, SWOP held a free financial planning seminar offered to adult entertainers by Rob Black, Tom Swift, Mary Walker, Erica Sandberg, Heather Stoneman and Susan Jewel. Thirty-three people attended the event, which was held at SEIU 790 on Market Street. Tori, an exotic dancer and student at San Francisco State University, has taken on the job of Exotic Dancer Outreach Coordinator for SWOP USA. She organized the entire event. We were fed lunch that was brought in by volunteers. The food was great and the event was a real success. Thank you Tori for everything and volunteers for fixing food.
On Monday, December
12th, ten SWOP members had brunch with San Francisco Supervisor Jake
McGoldrick in City Hall. Members of SWOP strategized with Jake about
the next steps the city should take to protect sex workers.On Tuesday, December 13th the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution, introduced by Supervisor McGoldrick and co-sponsored by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, to make Dec 17th International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers in San Francisco.
Tuesday night we
had our first Transgender Holiday Dinner. Thanks to Natasha Sommers,
SWOP's new Transgender Outreach Coordinator, about twenty people had
great food and met new friends. Natasha cooked all day she is our queen
and we love and appreciate her. Thanks to Carol Leigh for opening up
her space and helping Natasha.On Wednesday, December 14th, Supervisor McGoldrick held a press conference with SWOP on the steps of
SF City Hall. Harvey
Milk Club stood in solidarity with us. Jake presented SWOP
with the Proclamation from the Board of Supervisors. Mayor Gavin Newsom
sent SWOP a Certificate of Honor for their work in organizing
International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, which was
presented to us by Jake as the Mayor waved his support on the way to
his limo. There was one protester.Thursday, December 15th, SWOP met in Berkeley at the Unitarian
Church
on Bonita and Cedar, and held a memorial for International Day to End
Violence Against Sex Workers. Bea Morris led us in a discussion about
violence against sex workers. Melissa Gira performed a pagan
ritual to support sex workers' well-being and to pay tribute to sex
workers who have passed on. Berkeley City Councilman Kriss Worthington,
who was home sick with the flu, sent his legislative aide to award
us a Proclamation announcing December 17th as International
Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers in Berkeley.On Saturday, December 17th, SWOP held a conference at the Oakland YWCA. It was an odd mix of participants. Michael Yoell from Oakland Police Department along with prison abolishionist
Cynthia
Chandler from Justice Now and Nat Smith from Critical
Resistance. Theologians Dr Rita Brock and Averen Ipsen spoke
about violence towards prostitutes in the bible and strategizing with
the religious left. Md Nazrul Islam presented a survey from sex workers
in Bangladesh. This was one of the greatest events we held. Critical
Resistance, Justice Now, PARC and SWOP built alliances and the OPD
would like to work with us on gathering police statistics. SWOP intern,
Kelly Brown and volunteer, Shanti Rieber organized this event and wrote
many letters inviting all to attend. Thank you Thank you Thank you.Saturday night SWOP held a candlelight vigil in front of San Francisco City Hall. Twenty people plus stood in the rain holding red umbrellas and taking turns talking on the open mike. CA State Assemblyman Mark Leno attended the event and presented SWOP USA with a Certificate of Recognition of International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers and for the work they have done to help protect sex workers and empower them to fight for their rights. Also District Representative David Weinreich from State Senator Carole Migden's office came and presented SWOP with a Certificate of Recognition proclaiming December 17th Third Annual International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers in CA. Thank you David and Mark for really making this night so special and unbelievable. We had one protester.
WOW! Five Awards, I am quite overwhelmed. Now it's time to change laws that harm sex workers. Let's get to work. Sexual freedom in 2006 sounds good doesn't it.
Thanks to everyone for helping, presenting and participating. We love you.
Happy Holidays to All and to all a good year is over and done.
Robyn
