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4th International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
by Vanessa
Friday, Dec. 01, 2006 at 6:56 PM
om4padme1@netzero.com (216)650-3963 1287 Cranford Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107
Sunday, December 17, 2006 marks the 4th International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Groups, organizations, and individuals gather around the world to remember, respect, and unite in honor of those who have lost their lives due to the nature of their work.
Sex Workers Around the World Observe the 4th International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers: Remember, Respect and Empower.
Coalition of Advocates Push for an End to Violence and Equal Protection Under the Law on December 17, 2006.
International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers originated in 2003 with the arrest, confession and conviction of Gary Ridgway the Green River killer. Ridgway’s chilling remarks made headlines as he confessed to, “killing so many women, I couldn’t keep track of them all.” Ridgway’s victims were prostitutes and women that he thought were prostitutes. “We just couldn’t let that day go by and not remember the women that were murdered,” said Robyn Few Executive Director of Berkeley based Sex Workers Outreach Project. “A lot of prostitutes fall victim to murderers and serial killers, the public just doesn’t hear about it. It’s a problem that has reached epidemic proportions. Something has got to be done.”
This year vigils, memorials and other events are taking place in Berkeley, CA, Cambodia, Cape Town, South Africa, Denver, CO, Cleveland, OH, Huntsville, AL, Manchester, U.K., Montreal, Canada, New York City, NY, Oakland, CA, San Francisco, CA, and Washington D.C., with more cities joining every day. “This event has already become cemented in the sex worker rights movement. The idea is to raise awareness about the violence that plagues sex workers and alter the cultural consciousness to accommodate the changes necessary to alleviate it,” said Michael Foley SWOP Director and former manager for the Measure Q campaign to decriminalize prostitution in Berkeley.
This year’s Cleveland area events include a vigil on the corner of W. 44th & Lorain Avenue on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006 at 6:00 pm, and a reading of names of sex workers who have lost their lives due to the nature of their work. Information and educational materials will be distributed during and after the vigil.
WHO: Sex Workers Outreach Project and sex worker advocates around the world.
WHAT: Memorial to observe the 4th International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers: Remember, Respect and Empower.
WHERE: SE corner of West 44th & Lorain Avenue, on Cleveland’s west side.
WHEN: Sunday, December 17, 2006 at 6:00 pm.
Contact Vanessa at (216)650-3963 or om4padme1 (at) netzero.com.
Please join our Myspace community at http://www.myspace.com/4thintlday
www.myspace.com/4thintlday
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