Memorial and Community Discussion: Int'l Day to End Violence Against Sex Worker

International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is meant to call attention to hate crimes and violence against sex workers all over the globe. Originally thought of by Dr. Annie Sprinkle and started by the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle Washington, it has grown to be a day for strategizing to end these acts as well as remember the victims. Over thirty cities around the world have participated in this event.

This year Sex Workers Outreach Project is expanding events to cover the entire week of December 17th so that we may diversify the forums for discussion around violence against sex workers.

The Community Discussion portion of this year's events on 12/15 in Berkeley is intended to act as an update about sex work issues is the Bay Area since the Measure Q. Put on the ballot in 2004 by Sex Workers Outreach Project-USA, this initiative would have made prostitution arrests the lowest priority of the Berkeley Police Dept. In the spirit of Measure Q, SWOP-USA would like this event to expand the dialogue around these issues with the overarching goal to end violence against sex workers.

Below is the entire schedule of events around International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers:

Berkeley:
Thursday, December 15th: 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
Memorial and Community Discussion
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists
1924 Cedar x Bonita

Oakland:
Saturday, December 17th: 10 AM-2 PM
Ending Violence, Discrimination and Stigma Around Sex Work
YWCA,
1515 Webster St.
Panel discussion in the morning followed by lunch and afternoon strategizing. $5 donation requested.

San Francisco:
Saturday December 17th : Dusk
Candlelight Vigil
Civic Center Plaza
Polk and Grove St In front of City Hall

Mark your calendars and keep your eyes peeled for more information about these events!

What can YOU do to participate in the INTERNATIONAL DAY TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST SEX WORKERS?

One of the ways to contribute to this event is to submit original artwork and or written word to be displayed at the candle light vigil in Civic Center at dusk on December 17th. Make yourself heard in the fight against this violence. Please submit your personal response to violence against sex workers, your vision of a better future for sex workers, and your message to the victims and/or perpetrators of these tragedies.

You can send or drop off your submissions Sex Workers Outreach Project USA, 333 Valencia St. Ste. #445 San Francisco, CA 94103 by December 10th. Please call in advance to let us know you are coming 415-341-7656.If you would like to volunteer to help at these events or if you would like to donate money, please email robyn@swop-usa.org or kelly@swop-usa.org