2nd International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

On Friday December 17, 2004, sex worker rights organizations will be staging actions and vigils to raise awareness about violence that is commonly committed against sex workers. "The assault, battery, rape and murder of sex workers has got to end. The existing law prevents sex workers from reporting violence. This is allowing violent criminals to prowl our streets with impunity," said Robyn Few executive director the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA. "The stigma that is perpetuated by the law and prostitution prohibitionists has made violence against us acceptable. This has got to end. Please join in drawing attention to this around the world with the 2nd annual International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers".
PARTICIPATING CITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS:

(if your organization plans to participate in this international day, please send the information to us and we will be happy to post it here. Send information to normaja@webuniverse.net )

US:

SEX WORKER OUTREACH PROJECT USA:http://www.swop-usa.org/2nd%20Annual%20Day%20to%20End%20Violence.html

Berkeley, California--SWOP USA hosts a panel discussion: Community Based Solutions to Ending Violence Against Sex Workers. 12noon-2pm at the Lutheran Church of the Cross 1744 University at McGee. Join city and county government officials, neighborhood groups, health care professionals, religious community leaders and the general public for a discussion on violence against sex workers and other regional prostitution issues.

Huntsville, Alabama-- SWOP Alabama will host a candlelight vigil 6pm Big Spring Park bridge (across from Von Braun Civic Center). Contact Shelby @ 256-457-5012 for more info www.swop-usa.org/alabama.html

Oakland, California--8:00am to 10:00am 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza downtown Oakland. Early morning vigil and protest in front of Oakland City Hall. The OPD has recently spent over $500,000 arresting prostitutes, but says it doesn't have time or money to chase burglars and car thieves. Help us stop the arrest of poor women and end violence and stigma against sex workers. Wear your angel's wings or a white outfit and meet in the plaza.

San Francisco, California--5:00pm to 8:00 pm Civic Center Plaza S.F. City Hall. Join SWOP, Coyote and Center for Sex and Culture for a fire vigil remembering the lives of the many sex workers who where murdered. Join us in solidarity and help raise awareness, lift hopes and help push for occupational rights and equal protection under the law for sex workers.

CANADA:

LACOALITION MONTREAL: http://www.lacoalitionmontreal.com/eng_events_endviolence041217.htm

Montreal, Quebec-- 5-7pm at the CCGLM, 2075 rue Plessis. The Coalition for the Rights of Sex Workers will be organizing an art installation entitled, "Peace at Work". Inspired by Empower's actions and the recent Mural Collective's beading project in Bangkok the installation will be a collage of all items, words and images that represent what we see as an ideal working space: a space free of violence and full dignity and safety. We invite all sex workers and sex work organizations to send words, items or images that represent your ideal working space to be included in the installation. Send them before December 15th, 2004 c/o La Coalition P.O. Box 686 Victoria Station Westmount, QC H3Z 2Y7 Canada more info @ 514-859-9009 or lacoalition2000@yahoo.com www.lacoalitionmontreal.ocm

SEX PROFESSIONALS OF CANADA: http://www.spoc.ca/

Sex Professionals of Canada (SPOC) is hosting a party to celebrate International Sex Worker Day! Come and join us on Friday December 17, 2004 at Buddies In Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street), doors open at 7:00 pm.
Learn the real issues about sex work from sex pros at our panel discussion at 7:30pm
Entertainment beings at 8:30pm with performances by:
Sasha Van Bon Bon (Scandelles)
King Size Drag Kings
Dj Miss KLC

Sexy and naughty raffle prizes such as a sex sling, adult toys, gift certificates and other goodies! This party is sponsored by Good For Her, Cyberites, The Blue Pages, Masquerade Entertainment and TERB, Girfriendxxxperiences.com, Eye Magazine, and Annessasangels.com.

INTERNATIONAL:

Manchester, England- 9pm-12midnight at the City Centre Beat in Manchester. Manchester Action on Street Health will be holding an event on our mobile health unit (time and location TBA). There will be a display around violence and we will distribute condoms, personal attack alarms and our leaflet, "Working Safely". There will be a nurse who specializes in sexual assault aboard. www.mash.org.uk

South Africa--SWEAT (Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce) will be commemorating the day together with SISONKE, the sex worker-led movement by holding a candle light vigil on 17 December 2004 and reconfirming our struggle for legal protections of sex workers. In light of the 16 days of activism campaign on violence against women and children, we call on organisations to take up the issue of prevention of violence against sex workers. www.sweat.org.za

MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW AS WE RECEIVE PLANS FROM ORGANIZATIONS