December 17th, 2007 (Monday)

LAS VEGAS, NV

This year, SWOP-LV held a memorial march down Fremont Street, with a candlelight vigil at the end.

For more information, email us at info(at)swop-lv.org or call us toll-free at 1-866-525-7967, ext. 701.

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Vigil/Memorial to be held in honor of the 5th International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

Mon. 12/17/07
St. Paul's Community Church
4427 Franklin Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44113
6:00-8:00 pm

For more information please contact Vanessa at om4padme1@netzero.com or (216) 650-3963.

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We plan to observe the Internaltional Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, but are working out space issues. The event will take place either at a nearby Unitarian church or at RU12, our queer community center. If you would like to add us to the December 17th location list, you could offer that anyone interested in attending contact me for details. I can be reached at efemmera@yahoo.com. Thanks, Leslie

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NYC sex workers, allies, and friends- join $pread and SWANK (Sex Worker Action New yorK) to mark this day with a vigil in New York.

Email sarahjenny@riseup.net to get involved or to help organize this event.

http://www.myspace.com/weareswank

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Star Light Ministries is hosting a prayer vigil for the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. We'll meet on December 17 at 6:00 p.m. at the Richmond Mennonite Fellowship at 7612 Wanymala Rd, Richmond, Virginia, 23229 (in the white house).

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WASHINGTON, DC                                                        

December 17, 2007

Contact: Darby Hickey 202.829.2103, and Gigi Thomas via HIPS Hotline 800-676-4477

International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers in Washington, DC
Vigil and march to call for an end to violence against sex workers
Monday December 17, 2007 4:00-6:00pm
St Aloysius Church, North Capitol and K Streets NW Washington DC

Sponsored by HIPS, Different Avenues, Alliance for a Safe & Diverse DC

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SWOP-AZ (Tucson) will sponsor a memorial processional beginning at 6pm in front of the Tucson Police Dept at the sw corner of Scott & McClintock.

We will proceed through the Tucson Community Center to the El Tiradito Shrine at Main and Cushing Street and begin a remembrance ceremony at 6:45 there. Candlelight vigil, reading of names, some quiet music and poetry, and an opportunity for those who wish to speak about the loss of co-workers. El Tiradito (“the castaway”) is an historic site revolving around a tale of love, sex and murder. It is said that during the monsoons, you can hear the sobbing cries of grieving.

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PHILADELPHIA, PA

Vigil Against Violence:
Respect Sex Workers' Human Rights

December 17th is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. This seems particularly timely in light of the recent outrageous ruling by Judge Theresa Carr Deni, reducing charges from rape to "theft of services" in the case of a sex worker forced at gunpoint to have unprotected sex with multiple partners. She works in room 284 of City Hall.

Join SWEET (Sex Workers are Entitled to Equal Treatment) on Monday for a candlelight vigil to honor and mourn the sex workers who have died this year and raise awareness of the violence faced by their community.

Current and former sex workers, friends, and allies all welcome.

Monday December 17th 5-7pm
On the steps on the west side of City Hall, facing 15th and Market Streets.
Wear red or bring a red umbrella.

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Dec. 17th

Candlelit vigil at Totem Pole Park (Centennial Park), St. Catharines begining at 5pm - Bring red umbrella!

Terry's Evergreen Addiction Recovery Services & The Sex Trade Task Force are holding the first in the region event, a candlelit vigil at Totem Pole Park, St. Catharines, Ontario beginning at 5 p.m. This region has
experienced the murders of 6 sex workers. Family of one of the murder
victims will speak at the vigil, as will academics from Brock University's
Women's Studies and Sociology Departments. Advocates, academics, social service agencies and community members are banding together in solidarity -
all welcome!

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MONTREAL, CANADA

5th International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, December 17th, 2007

Join Stella and our friends and allies for a Red Umbrella March, an activity for the International day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.

For more detail call Stella at 514-285-1599

International Day to End Violence 

Together we will take the time to honour our sisters and brothers who have experienced violence at work and those we have loved and lost... Bring your red umbrella, your warmth and your solidarity. And to say: Enough is Enough!!!

We will depart at 5pm at Frontenac Metro

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Monday the 17th of December

The vigil will be held in Allan Garden's (Sherbourne and Carlton) at 7pm

To honour the women from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and to highlight the unsolved case of our brothers and sisters across Canada who have been murdered and their killing go uninvestigated due to the apathy and ineffectiveness of many police forces across Canada.

It is also time to call on all levels of government to have inquiry into the murders in Vancouver. I am asking you all to post this and spread the word. And if any of you need to contact me for any further information please do. I look forward to see you there. It is important that we finally show all families cross Canada who have lost a love to violence that we remember, support them, and will see justice is done to honour those who have lost their lives because they have been deemed to be people who supposedly live this horrible term of high risk lifestyle, which to me is just another label society puts on our sister and brothers to blame them for what has happened to them. It is time to hold the parties involved accountable.
 
 
Thank you,
Anastasia Kuzyk
 
Sex Workers' Alliance of Toronto
416-921-7928

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Don't let 2007 pass you by without carrying a red umbrella for sex worker rights on the Sydney side-walk one more time!!

All sex workers and supporters invited! Please forward this email among colleages!!

4.45 for a 5pm start, Thursday 13th December 2007, Local Council and Shires Association, corner of 28 Margaret Street, Sydney, corner of Margaret and York Street, 50 metres from Wynyard Train Station.

Link to Location on Google Maps

Sex workers and supporters in NSW are holding an end of year event against the unfair brothel closures that local councils have led in NSW, thanks to the laws introduced by the Iemma Government in July this year.

Many Local Councils in NSW have discriminatory planning policies that make it impossible for the sex industry premises to be compliant. These Local Councils more recently have taken the extra step of enacting the new brothel closure orders against brothels, on the basis of complaints from larger brothel owners. The closures are anti-competition, anti-sex worker, and are the worst case of state sanctioned violence against the sex industry in Australia.

International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers Protest In Sydney 5pm, 13th December, 28 Margaret St, corner of York Street, Sydney, nearest train station Wynyard. Sex Workers in Sydney city will carry red umbrellas for the last time in 2007, against the brothel closure laws by the Iemma Government, and in favour of better local council sex industry policy.

Stop State Sanctioned Violence Against Sex Workers

Carry an umbrella for the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

We demand local council policy INCLUDE the sex industry, and stop discriminating against sex workers

We demand an end to anti-competition collusion by local councils - stop the corruption erruption!

Wear red, bring an umbrella and see ya there!

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CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND

This year we will mark this annual event on the 15 December 2007 with a bbq on the grassed area of a church that supports street based sex workers.

During this time we will be displaying the ribbons that were collected during last year’s public appeal. They have been crafted into a beautiful wall hanging, symbolising that we hope public support for sex workers will eventually overwhelm and end violence directed against us.

Our thoughts will be with all the Sex workers of the world who have experienced, witnessed or been touched by violence related to our work.

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SOUTH AFRICA

Hillbrow sex workers in south africa will observe the day and commemorate their lost colleques murdered by their brutal clients and police brutality

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TAIWAN

Hello friends

This is COSWAS from Taiwan. We support the Anti-Violence toward sex-wokers with the picture of our sister , Ms Quan , who had committed suicide due to the refusal of Taiwan government on decriminalizing sex workers last year.
Wish all sex-workers in the world work in safe and happy condition.
And Merry X’mas.

COSWAS,Taiwan

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BANGLADESH

Rehabilitation Centre for Prostitutes And Rootless Children (PARC) observing the day for 2nd Time in Bangladesh in 04 Divisional Cilty out of 06 with its Development Partners . Schedules are:

In Chittagong Division:

Organized by: Rehabilitation Centre for Prostitutes And Rootless Children (PARC) and Jana Uddog : A Civil Society Organization
Time and Venue: 9-30 A.M (Local) in front of Chittagong Press Club
Contact Person: Md. Nazrul Islam (Manna), Chief Executive, PARC, Cell: 01819-644960, Email : parc_ngo@yahoo.com

In Jessor Division:

Organized by: Sumaj Foundation in Collaboration with Rehabilitation Centre for Prostitutes And Rootless Children (PARC)
Time and Venue: 10-00 A.M (Local) in front of Chuadanga Bus Stand, Jessor
Contact Person: Md. Mijib-ud-Dawla Kanak, Executive Director, Sumaj Foundation, Cell: 01711397441, Email : shusmajbd@yahoo.com

In Khulna City:

Organized by: Bangladsh Resource Improvement Centre and Allies initiated by Rehabilitation Centre for Prostitutes And Rootless Children (PARC)
Time and Venue: 10.00 A.M-12.00 A.M (Local) on Dhaka –Khulna High Way, Dwladpur, Khulna
Contact Person: A.S.M Wahidul , Executive Director , BRIC, Cell : 01715707865, Email : bricngo@yahoo.com

In Sylhet City

Organized by: Right Foundation
Initiated by: Rehabilitation Centre for Prostitutes And Rootless Children (PARC)
Time and Venue: 9-30 A.M (Local) in front of Chittagong Press Club, Sylhet
Contact Person: Md.Abul Kalam Azad, Chief Executive , Right Foundation, Cell: 01711165318

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GERMANY

Int. Gedenk- und Aktionstag 17. Dezember

"Stoppt Gewalt gegen Sexarbeiter"

"Wir fordern Rechte gegen Unrecht"

"Gewalt im Sexbiz kommt vor wie überall.- Es gibt keine Ausrede!- Nur Rechte verhindern Unrecht. Stoppt Gewalt gegen SexarbeiterInnen!"

Unterstütze diesen sich zum 5ten mal jährenden Gedenktag, der auf eine Initiative in den U.S.A. von Dr. Annie Sprinkle aus dem Jahre 2002 zurückgeht und stelle eine Kerze mit dem Zitat z.B. im Fenster auf oder organisiere in deiner Stadt und in deinem Umfeld eine Zeit des Gedenken.

To commemorate:

·         an die ermordete Rosemarie Nitribitt, was nie aufgeklärt wurde,

·         der 13jährigen Eliza Armstrong, deren Verkauf der Verleger und Autor William Thomas Stead organisiert und fingiert hat, um gegen den Menschenhandel (white slavery) das Buch "The Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon" zu publizieren,

·         an den Robert Witzel und weitere über 24 Jungen und junge Männer, die in Hannover von Fritz Haarmann totgebissen wurden,

·         an die 48 ermodeten Frauen, die der Green River Killer in den U.S.A. gestanden hat,

·         den über fünf ermordeten Frauen im englischen Suffolk bei der Stadt Ipswich,

·         Marnie Frey,

·         den Frauen Sereena Abotsway, Georgina Papin, Andrea Joesbury, Brenda Wolfe und Mona Wilson und weiteren von insgesamt 65 Frauen, die ein 58-jähriger kanadischen Schweinefarmer Robert William Pickton auf seinem Hof in Port Coquitlam in British Columbia bei Vancouver getötet hat,

·         der Tote im Stundenhotel am Kölner Eigelstein,

·         den 30 Frauen, deren Leichen in einem Massengrab im Ural in Rußland gefunden würden,

·         an die 16 Frauen, die in der heiligen Iranischen Stadt Mashad im Zeitraum von einem Jahr ermordert wurden,

·         den 460 Frauen, die seit 1993 ermordet worden sind und den mehr als 600 Frauen, die verschwunden sind in der nordmexikanischen Stadt Ciudad Juárez , Chihuahua ,

·         an die zwei ermordeten Frauen in Pakistan ,

·         der Frau, die von der amerikanischen Richterin nicht als von den mehreren Männern vergewaltigt anerkannt wurde, weil sie ja als Prostituierte angereist war,

·         den Frauen in amerikanischen Massagesalons, die ohne Einwilligung von einem Ethikprofessor der Uni San Francisco gefilmt wurden, um sein Konzept der sog. Zwangsprostitution zu illustrieren,

·         der Tote von Mistelbach,

·         der überfallenen 37jährigen, die von zwei Tätern in ihrer Wohnung in der Burbacher Straße in Kessenich verletzt wurde,

·         an die ermordete 40jährige zweifache Mutter Jolanta L. aus der Kastellstraße in Wiesbaden ,

·         den fünf Sexarbeiterinnen, die Volker Eckert ermordet und geschändet hat,

·         an die vielen unbekannten und bisher namenlos gebliebenen Sexarbeiter und Sexarbeiterinnen, die Opfer von Gewalt oder Willkür wurden,

·         den vielen Frauen in der Sexarbeit, die von den Medien vorgeführt wurden, um Einschaltquoten zu generieren,

Background info:
http://sexworker.at/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=803

WWW.SEXWORKER.AT  -the sex work portal in the German internet- facilitates support

Remembrance is not enough. Start action. Teach safety: We just started setting up a new web site:
Sex Worker Safety
www.sexworker.at/sicherheit

Forum: Sex Worker Safety First
www.sexworker.at/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=90

Listing of safety tips with printable leaflet
www.sexworker.at/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=27681#27681

eCard Collection
www.sexworker.at/phpBB2/ecard.php

Best,

    Marc  of   Frankfurt
    Masseur  of   Extacy
    +49 (0)179 62 130 65
    All we need is love!

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SWIRL

Sex Workers' Internet Radio Lounge has created two downloadable MP3 PSAs about International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. 

The first is a PSA with basic information and a link SWOP:
http://emedia.art.sunysb.edu/swirl/Dec17PSA.mp3

The second is an MP3 of Annie Sprinkle's 10 Things You Can Do to Participate in International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers:
http://emedia.art.sunysb.edu/swirl/10ThingsPSA.mp3

To download MP3s:
Mac users - Option/Click
PC users - Control/Right click

Feel free to download these MP3s and use them on your webcast, Podcast, radio show, put links on your website, or whatever.  Spread the word.

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SWOP EAST

Sex Workers Outreach Project East

International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

Two-Part Online Event

1) Repository for International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers Projects/Pictures/Events …and…

2) Live Online Vigil

Who: Sex Workers Outreach Project East Two-Part Online Event
What: Repository for International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers Projects and Live Online Vigil 
When: Repository begins Saturday, December 15^th, 5:00 PM EST and continues through Monday;
Live Online Vigil Monday, December 17^th, 5 – 11 PM Eastern (2-8 PM Pacific)

Where: http://www.swopeast.blogspot.com/

Beginning Saturday, December 15^th, at 5:00 PM EST, the swopeast.blogspot.com will be available for posting pictures, events, comments, summaries, reactions, etc., to events related to the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Please post any comments or artifacts that you’d like to share and visit our blogspot to view happenings related to the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers from around the world.

On Monday, December 17^th, beginning at 5:00 PM until 11:00 PM EST SWOP East will be holding a Live Online Vigil. Please join our virtual community to share your stories, mourn our sisters and brothers, and work toward a space where this violence is no longer tolerated.  

For questions or more information contact swopeast@gmail.com

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LADY MONSTER LAIR

I will be interviewing Judy Dunaway of SWIRL (Sex Workers Internet Radio Lounge) and playing various tracks that she has sent me from various broadcasts on SWIRL.

My show, The Lair of Lady Monster, broadcasts from 2:00 - 4:00 pm (PDT) on Saturday, December 15th.

Please feel free to call in to the studio and talk about any issues, articles, events, etc. The studio line is: 415-626-6180.

I hope you can tune in as well.

Pirate Cat Radio broadcasts at 87.9FM in San Francisco, Los Angeles and 104.8 in Berlin, Germany and streaming online at www.piratecatradio.com .
I will have the podcast posted to: http://ladymonsterlair.blogspot.com later next week.

Or, if you have any information you want me to print out and read over the air for you, please feel free to send it to ladymonster@earthlink.net.

Thanks so much!!
Stephanie
Lady Monster

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"The sex industry makes a huge contribution, and is intrinsic to the economy of the Bay Area, but the laws and stigma punish participants and make it very difficult, if not impossible, to organize for rights and safety within our local sex industries. It's a blatant hypocrisy. We invite sex workers and all those in our communities, friends,families and supporters to join us to mourn our losses and celebrate our strengths on this day of empowerment."

Carol Leigh aka Scarlot Harlot--Founder COYOTE, Sex worker activist and performance artist.

By organizing with organized labor, espu can access safety from the violence that plagues our industry like other occupations have. Through unionizing we can gain the our right to work without the fear of being targeted by the violence that is perpetrated by the criminalization of our industry. Through our collective efforts we can put a stop to those unscrupulous individuals and institutions who have brought us harm. An Erotic Service Provider is anyone who is compensated for his or her erotic services. If you’re an Erotic Service Provider, come join us.

Maxine--Organizer, Erotic Service Providers Union

Thank you to all of you who are participating in the memorial to end violence against prostitutes, especially Robyn Few. This year I will be attending the New York City vigil. Last year the San Francisco vigil was absolutely positively moving. I had a really good cry, as the whole event was very meaningful for me personally-- as some of my old sex worker buddies had been murdered. I know that this event helps (future) sex workers be safer in the world. Blessed be.

Annie Sprinkle--Sex Worker turned sexologist

We are collaborating with workers and providers to have a town gathering to remember those we've lost. We are also drafting a declaration for Boston providers to sign, stating they will make their services accessible to sex workers both in what they provide and how they train staff to be knowledgeable of the needs of sex workers. We will all need to keep fighting to end discrimination and hate against sex workers!

Steven Crowe--P.U.M.P. Program Coordinator, Cambridge Cares About AIDS

Thank you Robyn!

Amy Winebarger--Case planner, Alternatives for Girls

Other Supporting Organizations and Individuals

• AIM 
• Alameda Co. Human Relations Committee 
• Alexandra Lutnick, MA 
• APNSW 
• Barton Street Community Partners for Crime Prevention 
• Berkeley NOW Task Force 
• Center for Sex and Culture 
• Coalition for the Rights of Sex Workers 
• COYOTE 
• Different Avenues 
• Erotic Service Providers Union 
• Feminist for Free Expression 
• HIPS 
• Justice Now 
• SWAT 
• SWEAT 
• St. James Infirmary 
• M.A.S.H. 
• P.O.N.Y. 
• Urban Justice Center 
• Women's Leadership Alliance