Author Archives: sxhxcollective7

“Sex Workers Have Never Counted on Cops. Let’s Learn From Their Safety Tactics.”

One of our organizers spoke with Mike Ludwig for Truthout, about sex worker mutual aid and safety outside the carceral state:  “In the face of criminalization and whorephobic violence, sex working people have always sought to create our own systems of support and protection outside of the cops, criminal legal processes and societally accepted channels becauseContinue reading ““Sex Workers Have Never Counted on Cops. Let’s Learn From Their Safety Tactics.””

Donna’s Twitter Takeover!

Did y’all know our comrade Donna Gary is holding down Twitter for us through the 28th?!  From Donna: Taking over the Support Ho(s)e twitter for the next 8 DAYS! I go way back with this lovely disruptive org! Learn more about how this poet gal got involved as a co-conspirator with sex workers, particularly incarceratedContinue reading “Donna’s Twitter Takeover!”

Chrystul is FREE!

What amazing news!!! Chrystul Kizer is free, out on bail, and with comrades and family! We’re with you Chrystul, we have your back! From our comrades the Chicago Community Bond Fund: Chrystul Kizer is a Black 19-year-old survivor of sexual violence currently facing criminal prosecution for actions taken in self-defense. For almost two years, Chrystul has beenContinue reading “Chrystul is FREE!”

Recording Now Available: DIY Resistance: Sex Workers + Organizers Talk Artmaking and Mutual Aid for International Whores’ Day

ICYMI one of our organizers and several of their dear comrades talked zine making (including Alisha’s!!!) and sex worker organizing!  This live conversation and Q&A around artmaking as resistance, mutual aid, and “whorestories” of zine-making took place on June 3 in conjunction with International Whores Day NYC 2020 Digital Rally. The recorded conversation can beContinue reading “Recording Now Available: DIY Resistance: Sex Workers + Organizers Talk Artmaking and Mutual Aid for International Whores’ Day”

Aubri Esters, Presente!

“Informed by her own experiences using drugs and living on the streets, and fierce when necessary, she let her eloquent voice ring out in City Hall, on a state commission, and in groups advocating on behalf of those who suffer, often unseen, at society’s neglected margins.” Read the full article in memory of Aubri’s lifeContinue reading “Aubri Esters, Presente!”

Free Chrystul Kizer Updates

From one of our comrades with Free Chrystul Kizer Yesterday Chrystul’s request for a reduced bail was DENIED by the judge. Graveley used yesterday’s hearing as a way to deny Chrysul’s survivorhood as a survivor of sexual exploitation, to deny risks she faced/s to the coronavirus in pre-trial jail & deny Chrystul’s right to self-defense. WEContinue reading “Free Chrystul Kizer Updates”

#8ToAbolition

We are amplifying #8toAbolition “While communities across the country mourn the loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Jamel Floyd, and so many more Black victims of police murder, Campaign Zero released its 8 Can’t Wait campaign, offering a set of eight reforms they claim would reduce police killings by 72%. As police and prisonContinue reading “#8ToAbolition”

No time for electoral exceptionalism

Imagine telling fellow sex workers to “vote” or “get serious”—implying that supporting protestors and their diversity of tactics is not?—at a time like this (or really anytime).  The shit we’ve seen and heard. No. Just no. Cut the respectability nonsense.  To #Decriminalize all survival we must #AbolishThePolice. Full stop.  Defund, disarm, dismantle forever.  Wanting more to read onContinue reading “No time for electoral exceptionalism”

Support Ho(s)e IWD 2020 Statement

[Intro]  Hey y’all, I’m sharing on behalf of our collective, both inside and outside members, but I want to give a special s/o to our comrade Alisha Walker who contributed heavily to the writing and shaping of this statement.  Alisha “LeLe” Walker is an incarcerated former sex worker and current inside organizer with the SupportContinue reading “Support Ho(s)e IWD 2020 Statement”

DIY Resistance: Sex Workers + Organizers Talk Art-making and Mutual Aid

Mark your calendars for 💥”DIY RESISTANCE: Sex Workers & Organizers Talk Art-making & Mutual Aid for International Whores’ Day”💥 June 3rd 2020 / 8-9 p.m. EDT Join a live conversation and Q&A around artmaking as resistance, mutual aid, and “whorestories” of zine-making with Red Schulte, curator of the The International Whores’ Day Zine and co-organizer of the International Whores Day NYCContinue reading “DIY Resistance: Sex Workers + Organizers Talk Art-making and Mutual Aid”

“If U Only Knew How They Were Really Doing Us”: Inside/Outside Communication During A Pandemic

ICYMI: Red & Alisha wrote a piece for Tits and Sass, that also features words by our comrade, Lorena*.  “This pandemic is yet another horrifying worst case scenario. It exists on top of Alisha’s incarceration being its own terror and the assault on her life being another. And of course, all of this exists in theContinue reading ““If U Only Knew How They Were Really Doing Us”: Inside/Outside Communication During A Pandemic”

Get ready for IWD 2020!

June 2nd is #InternationalWhoresDay!  A day to celebrate SWer resistance + organizing against state violence!  Follow @iwdnyc (on Twitter + IG) & RSVP for the digital rally: http://tinyurl.com/IWDNYC2020 Support IWD NYC speakers (including US!!!), organizers and zinesters by donating here: https://gofundme.com/f/iwd-nyc-digital-rally #IWDNYC2020

Red’s Birthday Fundraising Efforts

It’s almost one of our organizer’s birthday! Let’s help them celebrate by raising much needed funds for S&P NY and for Alisha’s post-release fund!  From Red:  If you want to celebrate with me, please consider making a donation of any amount to Survived & Punished New York‘s Summer Mutual Aid Commissary Drive and/or to Justice forContinue reading “Red’s Birthday Fundraising Efforts”

Chicago Zine Fest’s Zinester Directory

Justice for Alisha Walker is listed in Chicago Zine Fest’s Zinester Directory! Don’t forget the only way to get our zines right now is by ordering them via Quimby’s Bookstore! #CZF2020 is just around the corner! While you wait for the weekend festivities why not join our NEW #Zinester Directory, a spreadsheet of active zinesters to browse in perpetuity! Submit nowContinue reading “Chicago Zine Fest’s Zinester Directory”

“‘We’ve Always Taken Care Of Each Other’: How Sex Workers Are Coping During COVID-19”

On March 27, Congress passed The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2 trillion economic relief package intended to help workers, families, and small businesses with the economic impacts of COVID-19. But federal regulation dating back to the ’70s bars anyone whose work is of a “prurient sexual nature” from receiving reliefContinue reading ““‘We’ve Always Taken Care Of Each Other’: How Sex Workers Are Coping During COVID-19””

Clemency Process Update

The official clemency process is dubious and daunting, but we’re still pursuing it. If you’re an anti-racist lawyer who’s serious about showing up (ie down to advise and help file pro bono) for incarcerated sex working people, get in touch. As we navigate those “official” channels, help support our popular defense campaign by putting pressureContinue reading “Clemency Process Update”

Zine Reading + Talk Back with Alisha Walker

The recording from our zine reading and talk back with our comrades Red and Alisha Walker, hosted by Bluestockings Bookstore, Café, & Activist Center is now LIVE online! We made sure to include lots of resource links in the video’s description too! Zine Reading + Talk Back with Alisha Walker Transcript Matilda:Here we go. Good morning,Continue reading “Zine Reading + Talk Back with Alisha Walker”

“We got masks today.”

Alisha just called with an update! As of Saturday, May 2nd, 2:30pm est: Each incarcerated person inside Decatur has been given one (and only one) “medical grade” mask with their name and ID number written across the front of it in sharpie (so all they can smell are the marker fumes). She also mentioned that theContinue reading ““We got masks today.””

Let Sex Workers Survive

Join inside and outside comrades from the Support Ho(s)e Collective for a zine reading, history of organizing and a conditions update from inside an Illinois prison on Friday, April 24th 2020.  This event will be held over Zoom, please RSVP for a meeting link. Participant Bios :Red (they/them) makes zines that center sex worker organizing,Continue reading “Let Sex Workers Survive”

#FreeThemAll: Defending Criminalized Survivors Webinar

Join the #FreeThemAll: Defending Criminalized Survivors Webinar.  We’ll be talking about our work building a grassroots defense campaign with Alisha and inside/outside sex worker organizing.   Learn more about current survivor defense campaigns and how you can take action to #FreeThemAll! #SurvivedAndPunished Register at bit.ly/DefendSurvivors2020 

The EARN IT Act is a Trojan Horse Designed to Permanently Shatter The Privacy of Internet Users

https://www.slixa.com/blog/law/earnit-act-2020-breaks-encryption-for-sex-workers/ One of our organizers spoke with Kate for this piece, “Many of us…have [now] taken up this work against EARN IT. We see this newly proposed bill as a part of the dangerous legacy of SESTA/FOSTA, the PATRIOT Act and other insidious state surveillance efforts; bent on censorship and punishment.“

#LetThemGo

TAKE ACTION: We’re joining the movement to demand Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, Governor Andrew Cuomo grant #ClemencyNow to all those vulnerable to #COVID19 (EVERYONE IN JAILS/PRISONS). This is a public health crisis & it’s been time to #LetThemGo #ClemencyCoast2Coast #FreeThemAll4PublicHealth Use the toolkit at bit.ly/ClemencyCoast2Coast to get involved!

Today, we’re turning 4 years young as a collective!!!

We’re taking time today, in spite of the fear and anxieties swirling within us to take stock of the last four years. Today, we’re turning 4 years young as a collective!!!  In late March of 2016, we organized our first demonstration in solidarity with Alisha Walker and all criminalized/incarcerated sex workers who had survived violence.Continue reading “Today, we’re turning 4 years young as a collective!!!”

Updates from Alisha!

Tuesday, 3/24 Afternoon Call  LeLe, and many others inside, elected to get flu shots that were being offered by Decatur yesterday.  Last night through this morning Alisha and others she knows on unit, including a close friend experienced allergic reactions as a result of the shots ranging from mild to serious. Alisha’s friend went intoContinue reading “Updates from Alisha!”

Updates from LeLe

3/21 Morning Call  Decatur has implemented “Administrative Quarantine” furthering their lockdown practices. The incarcerated mothers with babies have been released. Many had no where to go, LeLe heard some had been sent to shelters/hotels but has no way of confirming this. She’s worried for them. She’s worried for herself and those left caged. They prisonContinue reading “Updates from LeLe”

Updates from Alisha!

3/18/2020 More updates from Alisha, as of this afternoon!  Red and LeLe had a check-in call, LeLe’s voice was bright and hopeful. Alisha let us know that so far no one inside Decatur is sick/showing signs of symptoms, commissary is still open, and soap is still available. LeLe is super worried about her fellow incarceratedContinue reading “Updates from Alisha!”

Updates from LeLe during this on-going pandemic:

Red spoke with Alisha on Friday (3/13), and LeLe said Decatur is going on lockdown. All in-person visitation has been cancelled, and video visits are tentatively going forward, but that it is unclear if GTL tech staff will be allowed into the prison for technical support and administration of video visitation. LeLe also mentioned thatContinue reading “Updates from LeLe during this on-going pandemic:”

Happy 27th Birthday LeLe

Much love to everyone who tuned into our #HoPowerHour today on Twitter to celebrate Alisha’s birthday with us! Follow us there too, if you don’t already: @supporthosechi Thank you for amplifying LeLe’s resilience and story! Here’s to building more radical care that uplifts all those who love themselves so much, they survive, by any means. #HappyBirthdayLeLe

LeLe’s Birthday Cards

Thanks to everyone who celebrated Alisha (and her birthday) with us this evening (Feb. 8th) at Bluestockings Bookstore, Café, & Activist Center. After the upsetting news we got earlier today about LeLe being targeted for ticketing harassment again, this gathering generated much needed love, rage, comradeship and 🍰! We love you LeLe! We’re with you!No oneContinue reading “LeLe’s Birthday Cards”

Happy 27th Birthday LeLe

Help us wish our friend and organizing comrade Happy Birthday! Join us for Happy Birthday, LeLe! Letter Writing at Bluestockings Bookstore, Café, & Activist Center on Saturday, February 8th from 5:30 – 6:30pm! Not in NYC? Here are some ways to support and show birthday love for Alisha: Please write to Alisha by mail:Ms. Alisha Walker #Y12381Decatur CorrectionalPO BOX 3066Decatur,Continue reading “Happy 27th Birthday LeLe”

SxHx Letter Writing Resource Living Document

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OlRrrm2fkk7sjKyRiTwxrdBKQY58eIooc62_OtWsKRs/edit This is our working document of best practices for writing to comrades inside (especially former sex working/trading comrades who are criminalized survivors).  See also the amazing resource that Survived & Punished has debuted around organizing your own letter writing events: https://survivedandpunished.org/toolkit-for-organizing-letterwriting-events/

From yesterday’s (01/02/2020) trip to see Alisha.

It may be a new year, but we’re our same old “fuck prison” selves. LeLe sends love and appreciation to everyone who sent holiday solidarity! Below are some reflections from Red about their visit: Finally getting together my notes and reflections (that I can share on here) from our visit. Reeling from the news ofContinue reading “From yesterday’s (01/02/2020) trip to see Alisha.”

“Resolution Condemning SESTA-FOSTA”

BE IT RESOLVED, NLG condemns SESTA-FOSTA and all attempts to further criminalize people’s involvement in the sex trade. NLG is in solidarity with the plaintiffs in Woodhull Freedom Foundation et al. v. United States and all others harmed by SESTA-FOSTA. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, in line with the 2016 NLG Resolution Supporting the Abolition of Prisons, theContinue reading ““Resolution Condemning SESTA-FOSTA””

Kink Out: Leather Lit Day

Where our NYC comrades will be next!Kink Out: Leather Lit Day at MoMA PS1! From Kink Out: As an extension of Kink Out’s residency at MoMA PS1, LEATHER LIT DAY on January 11th, brings together kink and sex working people and allies for a day of storytelling, zine making, and community building. PROGRAM2–5pm zine making, facilitated by NikoContinue reading “Kink Out: Leather Lit Day”

We Supported Sex Worker Brilliance in 2019

So thankful for the support and resourcing that Third Wave Fund unapologetically gives to sex worker organizing! Eternally grateful for the care and labor of everyone involved in the Sex Worker Giving Circle. Support them here, so they can continue to fund our movements: https://thirdwavefund.giv.sh/96cd 🌹 Grantees Announcement! We’ve committed over $800,000 to sex worker-led groups in justContinue reading “We Supported Sex Worker Brilliance in 2019”

December 17th Protest Vigil and Community Gathering

Just got home from our December 17th protest vigil and community gathering. I kept thinking about what LeLe said on the phone this morning, “Tell people I’ve only got one more D17 inside, then I’ll be out there with y’all fighting. Remind people about all the hos in county and all us in here!”  I’mContinue reading “December 17th Protest Vigil and Community Gathering”

International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers Statement

People asked us for the piece that Red shared this evening for International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, below is their introductory statement and Alisha’s poem. Tonight I’m reading a poem written by my friend and comrade Alisha Walker. Alisha is a self-described queer, mixed, Black woman and unapologetic whore. She is aContinue reading “International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers Statement”

TODAY! Chicago! December 17th!

Please join us in solidarity for International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. There will be a protest vigil and community gathering. We’ll gather in Millennium Park beginning at 4:30pm at the Millennium Monument corner of Randolph & Michigan (looks like a colonnade), for a vigil action to hold space for those we’ve lostContinue reading “TODAY! Chicago! December 17th!”

Reflecting on December 17th

It is at once a preposterous and necessary act, to demand an end to violence against sex workers.  I cannot help but be reminded, at this moment in the midst of the extended decrepitude of American moral authority and prerogative, of another, equally preposterous and necessary ask, on behalf of Black lives, and wonder howContinue reading “Reflecting on December 17th”

Julie Reading Our Collective’s Statement

Our collective’s statement read by our dear comrade Julie at last night’s vigil to remember Yang Song —so much love to Red Canary Song for holding space. Yang Song Statement Transcript Julie:Hi, everyone. The Support Ho(s)e Collective sends its love and solidarity to Red Canary Song and all of you today who want an endContinue reading “Julie Reading Our Collective’s Statement”

Our Statement at Song Yang’s Vigil

Our collective’s statement, that our comrade Julie read, for this evening’s vigil action for Yang Song: The Support Ho(s)e Collective sends its love and solidarity to Red Canary Song and all of you today who want an end to the harassment and criminalization of our immigrant, migrant, and sex working communities. Like our comrades inContinue reading “Our Statement at Song Yang’s Vigil”

Mourning the Death of Yang Song

Today, in Flushing Queens comrades will gather to mourn the death of Yang Song and share collective outrage at the continued criminalization of massage and sex working migrant people. We send love, support and righteous anger as we rise up alongside our comrades today. Alisha wanted to share these words with folx as they headContinue reading “Mourning the Death of Yang Song”

Song Yang’s Vigil

From our comrades Red Canary Song* Vigil for Yang Song * Time: Saturday 11/30 3-6PMLocation: 40th Road (near the LIRR tracks), FlushingRain Location: Chinese Democracy Club/Flushing Quaker Meeting House We are gathering for a vigil to honor the life of Yang Song, who passed away after a police raid at the massage parlor where sheContinue reading “Song Yang’s Vigil”

Red Canary Song: Fly in Power

Please save the date Saturday, November 30th and show up to hold space with Red Canary Song as community uplifts the memory of #YangSong and continues the fight against criminalization of massage and sex working migrant people. Vigil action from 2-5PM on 40th Road near the LIRR tracks in Flushing, Queens. Watch this video created collaboratively by KinkContinue reading “Red Canary Song: Fly in Power”

BOW DOWN: QUEER KINK SEX WORKER PANEL

Next Week! Many thanks to Kink Out & the Leslie Lohman Museum for organizing and hosting!   One of our comrades will be speaking on this panel discussing art, politics and queer liberation organizing!  Tuesday, November 19, 20196:30-8:30 PM Bow Down is a conversation between queer kink sex workers who discuss their particular field ofContinue reading “BOW DOWN: QUEER KINK SEX WORKER PANEL”

It’s been just under a week since sex workers and accomplices converged on Harvard!

Hacking//Hustling @ Harvard was a truly life-giving and labor-affirming convening. Here are just a few candids from the convening! In one, you can see Red holding a mic to the phone, sharing the floor with LeLe. So much love and appreciation to everyone who helped Hacking//Hustling realize this convening. So much love to those whoContinue reading “It’s been just under a week since sex workers and accomplices converged on Harvard!”

Letter Writing with Survived & Punished New York and Red Light Reader

So much love and appreciation to everyone who came out and joined us for our letter writing event last night, co-hosted by our dear comrades Survived & Punished New York and Red Light Reader. The evening was filled with food, and stories and meeting new comrades and catching up with old friends. Together we wrote 77 letters toContinue reading “Letter Writing with Survived & Punished New York and Red Light Reader”

Today’s Video Visit

Just had a video visit with Alisha this morning! Of course the quality of the video was terrible and the sound kept cutting in and out, again. This has become expected, but no less frustrating.  We caught up on organizing tasks for our collective, what she’s reading now (digging into some romance novels after finishingContinue reading “Today’s Video Visit”

No New Jails NYC Statement

The Support Ho(s)e Collective sends its love and solidarity to our comrades in the No New Jails NYC coalition and to all of you today who want an end to the criminalization and caging of our sex working and hustling communities. Our collective is comprised of current and former sex workers and militant co-conspirators. WeContinue reading “No New Jails NYC Statement”

SxHx Letter Writing Resource: LIST OF BEST PRACTICES, HOW TO’S, RESOURCES AND LEARNED LESSONS FOR CORRESPONDING WITH COMRADES INSIDE

bit.ly/SxHxLetterWriting  Things to keep in mind before you begin writing: These letters are important gestures, but they can do work beyond that. Receiving mail can be a form of harm reduction, it signals to the prison guards that your comrade has people on the outside who are concerned with their well-being. It can also signalContinue reading “SxHx Letter Writing Resource: LIST OF BEST PRACTICES, HOW TO’S, RESOURCES AND LEARNED LESSONS FOR CORRESPONDING WITH COMRADES INSIDE”

Happy Sex Worker Pride from some of our organizers!

Here’s to building toward more radical Ho love now! More on the 1st annual International Sex Worker Pride:  NSWP is launching a fourth International sex worker rights day, Sex Worker Pride, taking place on 14th September each year. This day will celebrate sex workers’ self-determination and enhanced visibility and show the achievements of sex worker-led organisations.Continue reading “Happy Sex Worker Pride from some of our organizers!”

No New Jails Rally

We rallied alongside our comrades in No New Jails NYC this morning! We believe in police and prison abolition, full stop. One of our organizers, was proud to have been in community with Bluestockings Bookstore, Café, & Activist Center and Survived & Punished New York in crafting their respective statements of solidarity with the No New Jails NYC coalition! There will beContinue reading “No New Jails Rally”

No New Jails City Council Public Hearing

Join our comrades No New Jails NYC for their No New Jails City Council Public Hearing TOMORROW! We’ll be joining the gathering directly before the hearing! We will be meeting in City Hall Park from 8:00-9:30am to lift our voices alonside those going in to share statements, rage and community love. We will give each other strength!

Under The Red Umbrella Documentary

This past week the amazing crew from Under The Red Umbrella Documentary visited us and spoke with a couple of our organizers (we missed you Donna Gary + Aaron, and of course, Decatur is still preventing LeLe from being a part of any sort of video documentation)! We talked at length about how we formed as a collective, howContinue reading “Under The Red Umbrella Documentary”

One of our organizers went out to see Alisha on August 10th:

Yesterday was a solo trip to see Alisha. Those drives are filled with corn fields and rage. It’s tradition though at this point; a full range of photos documenting visits over the years, so who am I to not take one even though I felt and looked worse for wear. We had a great longContinue reading “One of our organizers went out to see Alisha on August 10th:”

Decrim vs. End Demand

ALL OUT NYC!!! Join our comrades DecrimNY for a teach-in and canvass tomorrow!  https://www.facebook.com/events/880317355672359/ Decrim NY is working to end criminalization of sex work because it will make sex workers and trafficking survivors safer from violence by clients and the police. It also decriminalizes mutual aid strategies like sharing a home with a sex worker!Continue reading “Decrim vs. End Demand”

Super Mom Myths

Join Moms United and Northside Transformative Law Center for a dinner, panel and facilitated discussion, in a fully accessible location, about the ways in which moms, overwhelmingly poor moms and disproportionately moms of color are criminalized out of abusive/coercive circumstances. This includes legal theories of “failure to protect”, as well as accountability laws in whichContinue reading “Super Mom Myths”

LeLe sent us updated photos!

Look at our beautiful comrade! Have you been looking for ways to support Alisha? Please donate toward commissary and visitation needs here: https://www.gofundme.com/support-alisha-walker You can also contribute via Venmo now: @SxHxCollective Please sign and share this petition created by a supporter:www.care2.com/FreeAlisha Please write to Alisha by mail:Ms. Alisha Walker #Y12381Decatur CorrectionalPO BOX 3066Decatur, IL 62524 Please writeContinue reading “LeLe sent us updated photos!”

Cine Respaldo film series

From our comrades Los Colibríes Community Garden:  Last night we were fortunate to be able to host the third film in the Cine Respaldo film series, Live Nude Girls Unite! So grateful for all the folks who came out; for Red from Support Ho(s)e / Justice for Alisha Walker, who provided dope insight into the film &Continue reading “Cine Respaldo film series”

Live Nude Girls Unite

Join us for the third event in the “Ciné Respaldo” film series, centering women and femmes in revolutionary struggle. Live Nude Girls, Unite! (2000) documents a San Francisco strip club’s attempt to unionize. Fed up with issues from racial discrimination, to safety / privacy concerns, to unpaid sick leave, the sex workers organize and exploreContinue reading “Live Nude Girls Unite”

A few of us roadtripped to see Alisha yesterday!

We brought her a copy of Emily Thuma’s “All Our Trials” and some of her favorite magazines (unfortunately the racist mailroom at Decatur censors Source Magazine now, so we couldn’t bring that one in to her). We spent over 5 hours with our friend, and have lots to share in reflection posts soon! Want toContinue reading “A few of us roadtripped to see Alisha yesterday!”

Sex Worker Giving Circle x Pride

From our comrades and funders Third Wave Fund: Come party with us and the 2019 Fellows at our SWGC x Pride event on 6/25 from 6-8 pm Friends and Lovers!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀We’ll be honoring 50 years of Stonewall, Pride, & the legacy of sex worker leaders like Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera. And, we’ll celebrate the SWGC, theContinue reading “Sex Worker Giving Circle x Pride”

TODAY last day of the NY legislature!

Help Decrim NY get rid of the racist and trasphobic “walking while trans” ban (by passing S2253) and expand relief for survivors of trafficking (by passing S4981a)! Police perpetrate the most violence against folx in the sex trades–help shut that down by supporting DECRIM! Take 2 Minutes to CALL Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins 518-455-2585 and citeContinue reading “TODAY last day of the NY legislature!”

Protect Trans Community: Make 2 Calls Today

Today Decrim NY is doing a call storm to urge state legislative leadership to pass our two bills (repeal the “walking while trans” ban and expand criminal record relief for trafficking survivors) before the end of the session. The loitering repeal bill has passed out of committee in the Assembly, while the record relief bill has passedContinue reading “Protect Trans Community: Make 2 Calls Today”

A resounding thank you to everyone who showed up for sex worker comrades last night!

Thank you to Decrim NY, Red Canary Song and our hosts Bluestockings Bookstore, Café, & Activist Center for making this possible! Over 100 people turned out and shared space. Amazing artists, activists and organizers talked Decrim, police/prison abolition, direct action, creative resistance, queer liberation, honoring trans elders and leadership, supporting incarcerated criminalized survivors and even wheatpasting tactics! WeContinue reading “A resounding thank you to everyone who showed up for sex worker comrades last night!”

Tomorrow is International Whores Day!!!

During the Morning/Afternoon, join Queens community members at the #TGNCSilentWalk during the Queens Pride March: https://www.facebook.com/events/2099088717070335/ Then head over to Bluestockings Bookstore, Café, & Activist Center by 7pm for an indoor program organized by Justice for Alisha Walker, Decrim NY and Red Canary Song! Come celebrate sex worker resistance, zines, art and organizing! We’ll be wheatpasting the lower east side afterward withContinue reading “Tomorrow is International Whores Day!!!”

Looking for ways to support Alisha?

Please donate toward commissary and visitation needs here:https://www.gofundme.com/support-alisha-walker Please sign and share this petition created by a supporter:www.care2.com/FreeAlisha Please write to Alisha by mail:Ms. Alisha Walker #Y12381Decatur CorrectionalPO BOX 3066Decatur, IL 62524 Please write to Alisha via Connect Network email:https://web.connectnetwork.comusing Alisha’s ‘inmate number’ Y12381 and state IL Share this video about Alisha’s case, created by us, BarnardContinue reading “Looking for ways to support Alisha?”

Craftivism: Hacking//Hustling partnered with the Support Ho(s)e Collective

Hacking//Hustling and the Support Ho(s)e Collective hosted an evening of radical craftivist making at Bluestockings Bookstore, Cafe, and Activist Center on May 8th, 2019! Current and former sex working/trading people of all industry or survival strategies were joined by co-conspirators and accomplices to collage and hold space together. Check out the art that was madeContinue reading “Craftivism: Hacking//Hustling partnered with the Support Ho(s)e Collective”

Sex Work Centered Craft Night

Join Hacking//Hustling and the Support Ho(s)e Collective for an evening of radical craftivist making! Current and former sex working/trading people of all industry or survival strategies welcome! Co-conspirators and accomplices please join us, but be mindful of the space you’re sharing. Bring collage making materials and let’s make art for our movement! 

Survival is not a crime!

Beautiful images of beautiful resistance and love. Endless thanks to everyone who made today’s gathering what it was. Deep gratitude to Moms United Against Violence and Incarceration and to all our co-sponsoring comrade organizations. Photos by Love & Struggle Photography.  ### Alisha sent us the follow to share on her behalf, since the state of Illinois is stillContinue reading “Survival is not a crime!”

Incarcerated Mother’s Day Vigil (6th Annual)

We’re so humbled to be co-sponsoring and participating in this beautiful event again! Some of our Chicago comrades will be there to share Alisha’s words and her story on her behalf. Join us along with our comrades Moms United Against Violence and Incarceration, Chicago Books to Women in Prison, Chicago Workers’ Collaborative, Circles & Ciphers, Love & Protect, Uptown People’sContinue reading “Incarcerated Mother’s Day Vigil (6th Annual)”

Take Back The Night

One of our NYC collective members will be speaking this Saturday! On April 6th, Donna, will be speaking at Pratt’s Take Back The Night event! This year, their theme surrounds the lived experiences of sex workers specifically in the areas of destigmatizing, humanizing, and decriminalizing sex work. Donna will be speaking about the case ofContinue reading “Take Back The Night”

Red Canary Song Teach-In

We were proud to join our comrades in Red Canary Song 红莺歌 at their teach-in this past Friday, March 29th, to counter the carceral anti-massage (and sex) worker narratives being pushed by CM Koo and the NYPD in Flushing, Queens! RCS distributed hundreds of pages of resources, know your rights documents, statements from migrant massage workers, informationContinue reading “Red Canary Song Teach-In”

Here’s a little recap from NYC Feminist Zinefest 2019 yesterday!

Our NYC crew (Aaron, Donna and Red) raised $300 for Alisha’s commissary and communications needs through our zine sales! Many thanks to all the wonderful zine fest organizers– who also invited one of our organizers to hold a workshop and zine reading on how to not be a jerk to sex workers! Red highlighted AlishaContinue reading “Here’s a little recap from NYC Feminist Zinefest 2019 yesterday!”

“Read Revolting Prostitutes:Your Socialism Depends on It”

In the days and weeks immediately following Verso’s announcement of the release of Revolting Prostitutes: The Fight for Sex Workers’ Rights, sex work-centered social media erupted in unprecedented and rightful excitement. Several months after its release, the buzz continues. April 1, 2019 / by Brit Schulte Read the full article here.

Today we’re turning 3 years young as a collective!!!

In late March of 2016, we organized our first demonstration in solidarity with Alisha Walker and all criminalized/incarcerated sex workers who had survived violence. It was our first formal action as a collective.  Since then, we’ve fundraised, visited, developed friendships and organized alongside LeLe, protested, found pro bono legal aid for her, and launched aContinue reading “Today we’re turning 3 years young as a collective!!!”

Video Visit with Alisha Walker

The morning of Saturday, March 23rd, Alisha called and said she’s being refused a slip for our rescheduled video visit this evening. Right now there is nothing closer to Hell for someone on the outside, trying to reach someone caged, than talking to prison COs on the phone, and trying to get answers to anythingContinue reading “Video Visit with Alisha Walker”

Write a card or letter in support of Alisha Walker

Alisha’s mail and video visits are being targeted for disruption and censoring—please continue to flood her with letters of love and support! (Refrain from using markers/crayons/paint/glitter) s/o @MomsUnitedChi for this beautiful graphic!  If you have the means, please consider making a donation to her commissary and visitation fund: https://www.gofundme.com/support-alisha-walker Take the time to sign this petition andContinue reading “Write a card or letter in support of Alisha Walker”

Today is International Sex Workers’ Rights Day!

We’re celebrating by taking action with Decrim NY to remove harmful loitering statutes in New York State. On Tuesday, March 5th, a bill to repeal loitering for the purposes of prostitution is set to go through its first vote in the Assembly Codes committee. This statute is used by police to criminalized Black + brownContinue reading “Today is International Sex Workers’ Rights Day!”

Defending Survivors, Liberating Futures: S & P National Convening

3/3/2019  We’re still processing all of the beauty and strength that was the Survived and Punished’s Defending Survivors,Liberating Futures: S & P National Convening this weekend!  Thank you to everyone who held that space! Thank you to Mariame Kaba who uplifted Alisha, and other survivors in song. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table and signed clemency petitionsContinue reading “Defending Survivors, Liberating Futures: S & P National Convening”

On February 25th, Decrim NY launched!

We are proud coalition members.  Decrim NY advocates and organizes to shape New York City and State policy and public opinion around people in the sex trades. We seek to improve the lives of people who perform sexual labor by choice, circumstance, or coercion, people profiled as such, and communities impacted by the criminalization ofContinue reading “On February 25th, Decrim NY launched!”

NYC Feminist Zine Fest 2019

Really want some swag to show off your support? Mark your calendars and join us again at NYC Feminist Zine Fest 2019 on 3/31 to pick up our zines and merch to support #AlishaWalker and our work! From NYC FZF: Save the date & spread the word! NYC’s biggest & most-feminist-themed zinefest is BACK! Come join us for aContinue reading “NYC Feminist Zine Fest 2019”

TODAY! Join the Free Chrystul Kizer Defense campaign!

https://www.facebook.com/events/146046696320709/ Continue the birthday love for Alisha by showing up for other criminalized survivors!  Join us as we engage in a public visibility demonstration to let Milwaukee know that we will not let criminalized survivor Chrystul Kizer be disappeared! We will be gathering at the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and Locust Street inContinue reading “TODAY! Join the Free Chrystul Kizer Defense campaign!”

Alisha Walker Was Criminalized For Surviving – Demand Her Release Now!

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/143/022/268/ TODAY celebrate Alisha’s birthday by signing and sharing this newly created petition! The community member who created this is working with us to ensure actions and urgent updates can be sent out to all those who sign! 

February 11th is #AlishaWalker’s birthday!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-alisha-walker TODAY we ask you to give+share her commissary/visitation fund! Our goal is to raise $2400 by the end of this month so we can prioritize creating a specific re-entry fund for LeLe! Being able to guarantee month-to-month $$$ needs would be huge. This would mean we could focus our attention on establishing a re-entry fundContinue reading “February 11th is #AlishaWalker’s birthday!”

Happy Birthday Cards of Love

Thank you to all who came out to @bluestockings (even though it was cold because their heater broke!) to write Happy Birthday cards of love and support to Alisha! Not NYC or Chicago based but still want to send letters of love and support? Check out this resource from @survivepunish and organize your own letter writing event: https://survivedandpunished.org/guide-to-writing-letters/ … –Alisha’s birthdayContinue reading “Happy Birthday Cards of Love”

Happy Birthday LeLe

It’s Alisha’s Birthday Month! She’ll turn 26 on February 11th! All February we’re going to be signal-boosting ways to support and center LeLe.Be watching for events, resources, and ways to donate directly to her commissary and visitation fund! For Day One! Check out Happy Birthday LeLe! Card Writing Party! at Bluestockings Bookstore, Café, & Activist Center TODAY at 4:30pmContinue reading “Happy Birthday LeLe”

Statement from our comrades Survived & Punished NY:

Cuomo Denies Clemency to Criminalized Survivors of Gender Violence For the eighth straight year, Governor Cuomo has refused to use his clemency power to combat the rampant criminalization of efforts to survive sexual and domestic violence. Survived and Punished NY denounces the governor’s decision to double down on his inaction, effectively abandoning incarcerated survivors of gender violence.Continue reading “Statement from our comrades Survived & Punished NY:”

“We Won Clemency for Cyntoia Brown—Now Let’s Free all Survivors”

In sev­en months, Cyn­toia Brown will be released from prison, hav­ing been grant­ed a full com­mu­ta­tion to parole by exit­ing Ten­nessee Gov­er­nor Bill Haslam. Cyn­toia has already served 15 years of a life sen­tence. When she was a teenag­er, Cyn­toia expe­ri­enced con­tin­u­al vio­lence and was engaged in sur­vival work. At the age of 16, she shot John­ny Allen, a 43-year-old client who sheContinue reading ““We Won Clemency for Cyntoia Brown—Now Let’s Free all Survivors””

From Peepshow Podcast: Episode 38 is our first episode of 2019!

This week we feature an interview with Red, a New York City-based Marxist/feminist community organizer sex working art historian. Red’s organizing efforts sit at the intersection of art, politics, and labor. In addition to a discussion of the prison industrial complex as it relates to sex work politics, we talked to Red about the workContinue reading “From Peepshow Podcast: Episode 38 is our first episode of 2019!”

URGENT ACTION NEEDED

There are 4 days left for @JohnKasich to sign the clemency petition for #AlexisMartin, who was a teen survivor of #trafficking when sentenced for 21-life for the actions of her exploiter. Call (614) 466-3555 & let him know WE ARE WATCHING! For more case details see: http://www.ohiojpc.org/ohio-supreme-court-ruling-demonstrates-deep-misunderstanding-of-human-trafficking/ 

#FREEChrystul: DROP ALL CHARGES AGAINST CHRYSTUL KIZER AND RELEASE HER IMMEDIATELY

From our comrades in the Free Chrystul Kizer Defense Campaign and Black & Pink MKE:  BACKGROUNDChrystul Kizer is a black teenage survivor of violence. At only 17-years old, she was charged with multiple felonies for defending herself from an older white man who has been accused of ongoing physical and sexual abuse of not onlyContinue reading “#FREEChrystul: DROP ALL CHARGES AGAINST CHRYSTUL KIZER AND RELEASE HER IMMEDIATELY”

We stand with Cyntoia Brown and ALL criminalized survivors!

Please call/write/physically go to the TN governor’s office to demand clemency and her immediate release! Follow Moms United Against Violence and Incarceration, Love & Protect, SWOP Behind Bars and Survived and Punished for more on how you can help! Cyntoia Brown (29 years old now) was 16 years old when she was imprisoned for killingContinue reading “We stand with Cyntoia Brown and ALL criminalized survivors!”

“Help me stay connected to my community.”

Alisha reflects on the importance of visitations and the heartbreaking reality of being kept apart from loved-ones, she sent us this statement today: My family is everything to me. They we’re the push behind my hustle, and my motivation to keep pressing through hard times. No matter what I do or where I go myContinue reading ““Help me stay connected to my community.””

Remembering Yang Song

Thank you for holding space with us yesterday as we honored and remembered Yang Song. Yang was brave in the face of police harassment and violence. She reported her assaults and sought legal help for herself and by extension those she worked alongside, even after receiving more threats. She demonstrated such care and honor forContinue reading “Remembering Yang Song”