No Human Involved? Look Again.

Today is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers - what's so hard about that to get on board with? I was hoping our progressive media, at least, would be more on top of it. No sign yet that they are, so we protested. We hope they decide to look further into the story soon. They did a good job telling part of the story about what happened to Marcia - we really hope they decide to help tell the rest.

Tomorrow (December 18, 12 Noon) the women of the Sex Workers Outreach Project are rallying at the AZ Department of Corrections. A lot of people here did a lot of hand-wringing about Marcia Powell when she died, and again when that horrible report detailing her torment came out - but that was it. At least these women are trying to hold the state accountable for how women and prisoners can be so routinely and thoroughly dehumanized - treated by some guards as sources of entertainment when they suffer. Those folks in the community who really care about what's happening to both the men and women in prison should come to the rally and connect with us. There are many different ways to be activists - not everyone has to behave like an anarchist.

As for the New Times, we hope they at least read the stuff we sent them, and call if they have questions. It would be swell if they could slip in an honorable mention of the significance of this day, and give info for the planned protest for tomorrow. We're asking allies to bring red umbrellas and/or red carnations, and/or wear red, to show solidarity.

Hope to see New Times at the ADC actually covering the event - it seems to be what you do best, and we didn't think anyone but you would care, much less get it. If you get it, then you owe it to the rest of us to fill us in. A lot of lives are on the line.