OAKLAND, Calif.—Representatives from BAPS (Bay Area Pros Support) and sex worker clinic the St. James Infirmary plan to gather with other community organizations and supporters on June 2, International Sex Worker's Day, to rally in opposition of the recently signed-into-law FOSTA/SESTA measure ostensibly aimed at fighting online sex trafficking.
Organized by BAPS representatives Maxine Holloway and Arabelle Raphael, the protest intends to highlight the harmful consequences FOSTA/SESTA inflicts upon sex workers and point up what Holloway and Raphael say are ties between injustices against sex workers and those faced by minorities, disabled persons, the poor and drug using communities. In a joint statement, the two said, "We live in a time where civil liberties are threatened by legislation and doctrine. From net neutrality, Black Lives Matter, the Bay's housing crisis to immigration laws, marginalized groups are experiencing heightened levels of persecution and violence. It is crucial that we recognize sex workers within these struggles."
Commented St. James Infirmary HIV services manager Cary Escovedo, "When sex work and sex trafficking are conflated, there is harm done to both populations. FOSTA does nothing to help survivors of sex trafficking, rather pushing it deeper underground. And it puts consenting adult sex workers in danger. Without ways to advertise and screen clients, many providers are going to the streets into unsafe situations."
The rally and march will begin at noon on Saturday, June 2, with participants gathering at Oscar Grant Plaza, located at 1 Frank H Ogawa Plz, Oakland, CA 94612. A press conference will be held at 1 p.m. featuring Celeste Guap, The Electronic Frontier Foundation, St. James Infirmary and more. Cat Brooks has confirmed her attendace to the march as well.
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