I missed sex workers postest.
When the nextand may I speak?
Eric,
Sorry you missed it! I got there late myself -- the whole thing went only about 45 minutes -- but I was able to say a few words, and got in part of an interview. I'm sure you could have spoken. Don't know when/if a similar event may next take place, but if I hear of something I'll try to post it here. There are a couple other sex-work related political things going on tomorrow -- see below.
Anyway, the protest went fairly well -- about 25 or so folks showed up, and we held up signs and banners, gave interviews, posed for the media, and used a couple bullhorns a bit. Rachel West told us she picked that corner because the cops have lately made something like 40 prostitution arrests around there. Although the turnout wasn't huge, I thought it wasn't too bad for a street corner protest publicized only by Internet and press release. And despite having only a couple dozen protesters, at least 5 media outlets were represented and quite possibly more (Channel 11, another TV station I think, KQED, KPFA radio stations and an affiliated(?) magazine, a Chinese daily, and the Chronicle, according to my observations and the business cards I saw collected).
Can you imagine getting that much press for a similar-sized Libertarian event without a big name present, or some kind of high-profile event happening? I can't. All the journalists I saw seemed friendly and willing to listen. The Libertarians on the LPC Executive Committee who voted not to allow the sex worker panel I'm organizing on the official schedule at our convention have their heads in the sand. They're so afraid of not being "taken seriously" that they won't open their eyes and see the opportunity staring them in the face.
Along with us, there were a few anti-sex activists there as well heckling, and some people from the hospital across the street came by complaining about us making too much noise. Why is it that when loud emergency vehicles needlessly use their sirens, or city workers start jackhammering in the street at an ungodly hour of the morning so they'll look like they're working hard for the nice taxpayer salaries they're getting, these busybody neighbors don't seem to care, but just let anyone be out there exercising their free speech rights, or enjoying a party, and and people get all worked up about it? I'm so sick of these double standards.
So what's up with you? Any campaign events coming up? You mention being out there talking with people, but we don't hear much in the way of specifics. Let us know how we can help you promote liberty as a mayoral candidate.
Love & liberty,
<<< starchild >>>
P.S. - Events tomorrow:
10am-1230pm - Hearing in City Hall Rm. 416 on Kink.com, which bought the old Armory building in the Mission, raising a storm of controversy among the usual NIMBY neighbors who want a more "respectable" business there instead. Come if you can to show support for an honest business being able to do their thing without official harassment.
7pm - UC Berkeley conference on "human trafficking" featuring anti-sex work stalwart Norma Hotaling and other enemies of consenting adults doing their thing; some folks from our side may show up to provide a counter voice (see details in message from Holly Pottle below). Also below, details on a similar all-day conference happening at SF State next Monday the 12th. Word is you can still register for that, and crash the event for their free breakfast even if you don't want to stay.
Starchild:
What were the hecklers saying?
Eric,
Sorry you missed it! I got there late myself -- the whole
thing went
only about 45 minutes -- but I was able to say a few words, and got
in
part of an interview. I'm sure you could have spoken. Don't know
when/if a similar event may next take place, but if I hear of
something
I'll try to post it here. There are a couple other sex-work
related
political things going on tomorrow -- see below.
Anyway, the protest went fairly well -- about 25 or so folks
showed
up, and we held up signs and banners, gave interviews, posed for
the
media, and used a couple bullhorns a bit. Rachel West told us she
picked that corner because the cops have lately made something like
40
prostitution arrests around there. Although the turnout wasn't
huge, I
thought it wasn't too bad for a street corner protest publicized
only
by Internet and press release. And despite having only a couple
dozen
protesters, at least 5 media outlets were represented and quite
possibly more (Channel 11, another TV station I think, KQED, KPFA
radio
stations and an affiliated(?) magazine, a Chinese daily, and the
Chronicle, according to my observations and the business cards I
saw
collected).
Can you imagine getting that much press for a similar-sized
Libertarian event without a big name present, or some kind of
high-profile event happening? I can't. All the journalists I saw
seemed
friendly and willing to listen. The Libertarians on the LPC
Executive
Committee who voted not to allow the sex worker panel I'm
organizing on
the official schedule at our convention have their heads in the
sand.
They're so afraid of not being "taken seriously" that they won't
open
their eyes and see the opportunity staring them in the face.
Along with us, there were a few anti-sex activists there as
well
heckling, and some people from the hospital across the street came
by
complaining about us making too much noise. Why is it that when
loud
emergency vehicles needlessly use their sirens, or city workers
start
jackhammering in the street at an ungodly hour of the morning so
they'll look like they're working hard for the nice taxpayer
salaries
they're getting, these busybody neighbors don't seem to care, but
just
let anyone be out there exercising their free speech rights, or
enjoying a party, and and people get all worked up about it? I'm
so
sick of these double standards.
So what's up with you? Any campaign events coming up? You
mention
being out there talking with people, but we don't hear much in the
way
of specifics. Let us know how we can help you promote liberty as a
mayoral candidate.Love & liberty,
<<< starchild >>>P.S. - Events tomorrow:
10am-1230pm - Hearing in City Hall Rm. 416 on Kink.com, which
bought
the old Armory building in the Mission, raising a storm of
controversy
among the usual NIMBY neighbors who want a more "respectable"
business
there instead. Come if you can to show support for an honest
business
being able to do their thing without official harassment.
7pm - UC Berkeley conference on "human trafficking" featuring anti-
sex
work stalwart Norma Hotaling and other enemies of consenting
adults
doing their thing; some folks from our side may show up to provide
a
counter voice (see details in message from Holly Pottle below).
Also
below, details on a similar all-day conference happening at SF
State
next Monday the 12th. Word is you can still register for that, and
crash the event for their free breakfast even if you don't want to
stay.