California Rallies to Stop Criminalizing Loitering, Support Massage Parlors
Details
From sunrise to sunset on June 2 (International Whore's Day!), sex work rights advocates will be holding rallies in several California cities.
The "freeway blogging" (aka banner drops) over local freeways in Sacramento, Los Angeles, and here in the SF Bay Area will:
• Support decriminalizing sex work
• Demand specific legislative reforms, including...
- pass SB 357 in California (stop profiling & targeting sex workers with loitering laws)
- repeal FOSTA-SESTA, the bad federal law passed in 2018 that endangers Internet speech.
• Support massage parlors and their workers in the wake of the shooting incident in Atlanta in which eight workers and others were killed, and the ongoing government harassment and persecution of these businesses and the people (frequently undocumented Asian immigrants) who work at them.
SB 357, introduced by California State Senator Scott Wiener has introduced SB 357, would repeal the laws criminalizing of loitering related to sex work. (Police have often arrested or cited people for loitering with intent to commit prostitution.)
We'll be out bright and early to get the attention of morning commuters (break of dawn for those who dare, but join us any time during the day).
Ideas for items to bring: Red umbrellas (international symbol of decriminalizing sex work!), water, snacks, sun screen, t-shirts or other clothing with supportive messaging, sexy & attention-getting outfits (have fun!), chalk, noise-makers, protest signs, comfortable shoes, cameras, phones, laptops, iPads, etc., for sharing the action online...
Other locations
For those in other parts of the state, actions will also be taking place in:
• Sacramento, at Occidental, Howe Ave., and 59th Street, over I-50
• Los Angeles, at Beaudry and Wilshire, over Interstates 101 and 105