Sex worker protest planned in response to Bill C-36

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      Sex workers and those who support them will gather on the front lawn of the Vancouver Art Gallery at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday (June 14) to express their displeasure with the Conservative government's legislated attack on their livelihoods.

      The Red Umbrella March is being held to demonstrate public support for sex workers fighting Bill C-36. If the bill becomes law, it will criminalize even discussing the purchase of sexual services, including over the telephone or on the Internet.

      The Triple-X Workers' Solidarity Association of B.C. has claimed that the legislation is unconstitutional because it will force sex workers underground, where they will be more vulnerable to predators.

      Justice Minister Peter MacKay introduced Bill C-36 earlier this month in response to the Supreme Court of Canada striking down three prostitution-related laws: those against communicating in public for the sale of sex, living off the avails of prostitution, and operating a common bawdyhouse. In the ruling, written by Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, the court found that these laws violated sex workers' constitutional rights to freedom of expression and to life, liberty, and security of the person.

      At the Red Umbrella March, there will be speakers in front of the art gallery. From there, demonstrators will walk through the Downtown Eastside, where serial killer Robert Pickton searched for his victims.

      The red umbrella is the international symbol for the sex workers' rights movement.

      Comments

      2 Comments

      Jim Grant

      Jun 11, 2014 at 12:02pm

      For all those protesting here is a link to the government's own report from 2006.

      http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/Committee/391/SSLR/Reports/RP2610157/3...

      They obviously have no interest in the reality of sex work but are trying to vilify all the participants and shame the larges group, clients, into silence. A technique often associated with sleazy lawyers trying to keep women from pressing rape charges. This act will encourage and prolong a rape culture by making it impossible to get legal consent from a sex worker, this not only affects sex workers but society as a whole as the message clearly is sent that consent doesn't matter. As well not only are the proposed changes to the penal code most likely unconstitutional, they are also more or less unenforceable without applying personal bias and discrimination first on the part of the enforcement agents interpreting vague terms and then the courts re-interpreting these terms.

      This legislation must not pass!

      Edward

      Jun 15, 2014 at 9:23pm

      While they may not be any way to change this before the next Federal election. We can try and make sure that Harper does not get our votes. He must not be allowed to remain as Prime Minister of this nation one minute longer.