December 17th , 2006 - International Day to End Violence Against sex workers

Every day, many of us face prejudice and social stigma, police repression and some of us even end up in prison. We believe it is time for the violence to end. As a sign of solidarity, we will be marching at the same time as several groups of sex workers around the world. The MARCH OF THE RED UMBRELLAS was inspired by a demonstration organized by the Comitato per i Diritti Civili delle Prostitute, a group of Italian sex workers.

We call for the decriminalization of activities related to sex work, as well as the application of real and concrete means of fighting against violence, in all contexts where sex work is practised, without discrimination. Decriminalization would make it possible for sex workers to have full access to health and social services, and basic work and social protection. We call for justice and dignity, for the respect of basic human rights, for safety and protection for all sex workers!

The MARCH OF THE RED UMBRELLAS will start at 6 p.m. at Papineau metro. Bring your red umbrella! Together, we will get to the Café Cléopâtra (at the corner of St. Catherine and St. Laurent), for the launch of LA PUTAIN DE COMPILE, which will start at 7 p.m.

Produced by the Panthères roses with the collaboration of Stella and Les Lucioles, LA PUTAIN DE COMPILE aims to make us hear the voice of sex workers who reject the victim position transmitted openly in public debates and traditional medias. This DVD gathers films without pretending being objective (quite the opposite) and exhaustive. More infos here.