Wow. Arizona has got to be one of the most punitive, misogynistic, homophobic, right-wing states in the country, and I just spent the past couple of days hanging out with the handful of women here brave enough to publicly take on the state legislature and the director of the Department of Corrections. Friends of Marcia Powell and the Sex Workers’ Outreach Project demonstrated Friday at the ADC, calling Ryan out on his own turf to take a stand against violence against sex workers. He had a week to respond to their letter before the rally. In the end it appears as if he’s too much of a coward to face - or to defend - the women in red.
Okay, so maybe I’m baiting him now. His decision to ignore them wasn’t cowardice so much as it was really cold strategy, an evasive maneuver by someone who could take us out in a heartbeat. He’s not afraid, and knows full well he can hurt us more than we can hurt him - it’s cowardice of another kind. Which is still not good news for the good guys. I don’t know why I kept thinking that if Ryan was one of those 16 guards who passed through Lumley yard the day Marcia died, he would have been the one to stop and offer her the assistance that could have saved her life. I want to believe that somewhere in there is a spark of humanity and compassion that we could connect on. I’ve given him more benefit of the doubt that perhaps I should have. If he is not the man I hope he is – and is instead the man I think he is, the alternatives to my fantasy mean that more prisoners will suffer and die until he’s gone - and who knows if the person who replaces him will be any better?
I thought of all the lawmen in this state, Ryan might be one who would take the women from SWOP seriously, and treat them with respect. He did stop not long ago when I sent word that I needed help with something, and he responded professionally (albeit a bit gruffly – I think that’s just him), but I think that was a fleeting connection. I guess he’s as much a politician as the rest of them, though. That’s the kind of prostitution that should really be criminalized, because it damages people and destroys lives. He’s been there so long, and dug in so deep, that nothing new or different may ever come out of him than what we got from Stewart – in which case we just need to seize the legislature, the governorship, local jurisdictions, and the economic system we have in order to take over and dismantle the whole prison industrial complex…which is why I wanted to believe there was something decent in him to work with. Now we’re back to looking at this whole beast again, not sure which part to start hacking away at first. I think since no one but the families seem to be on Ryan for prisoner rights – and Arpaio and Thomas already have strong constituencies of people opposing them - we’ll stick with Ryan and the ADC for awhile.
I know I’ve been too soft on him thus far, but cut me a break – he reminds me of my old man. Besides, I’m an abolitionist – I think we should give cops the same consideration we give criminals who want to redeem themselves; most people have the capacity to change for the better, given the right conditions and support network. If a convicted felon can do it, so can Ryan. If he wants to – that’s the key. But we’re running out of time before the next state prisoner is neglected, abused, suicides, or is murdered.
It looks like for now Ryan’s prisoners will have to try to outlast and outlive his tenure before there’s another opening for real change. Ryan personally quashed the idea of an early prisoner release this year for non-violent offenders, and legislators are now afraid to put their name on a bill that would give people more good time they can earn, with his adamant assertion to the media that the public would be at risk with an early release program. His lack of response to the letter from SWOP also strongly suggests that he doesn’t – and never really did – care much about the women ending up there – either why they’re there to begin with, or what happens to them once they become his prisoner. I’d retract it all happily if he proves me wrong, but I’m not expecting much anymore.
Ryan even provided a legislative committee this week with the “evidence” for the argument (via some guy speaking for prosecutors) that “mandatory minimum sentences” and mass incarceration are what’s brought down violent crime in this state. Never mind that our rates of violent crime are still among the highest in the nation – kind of makes you want to see what others did to bring their rates down, since most states are deciding now that mass incarceration doesn’t really pay off. And the information from ADC that was presented in the Committee on Sentencing this week included an estimate that only 2% of Arizona’s state prisoners are first-time non-violent offenders. That’s hard to believe, given the number of people I personally know who went to prison as first time, non-violent offenders.
What’s minimum security for, anyway – aren’t all those folks low-risk/non-violent? Why do we even have minimum security if we can do a better job helping addicts and alcoholics clean up in community-based settings – where they can work and pay off fines and restitution a whole lot faster than in prison? And what about the mentally ill folks who we all know don’t belong in prison? It seems as if the Director of the Department of Corrections would want to mount a public campaign bringing attention to the inappropriate incarceration of the mentally ill (since they take up a lot of space and staff time in his prisons, and are so often victimized or put into isolation), and try to have their cases reviewed for transfer from criminal courts to probate (or mental health court, whatever folks call it here) – or for clemency, even. I consider many of them among the wrongly-convicted, too.
So Ryan’s putting his stuff out there for prosecutors to throw around, scaring everyone about the possibility of an early prisoner release endangering the community, and I can’t even get him to tell me who – of the 10,000 people he has working for him – I can talk to about how many prisoners are qualified for compassionate release, and why they keep dying in prison for non-violent crimes. I think we need to make sure they’re getting home in time enough to live a little and love their family before they die.
As for the community: you don’t know what you missed Friday because your media didn’t think it was “news”. They must still be pondering the significance of Tiger’s affair; what a revelation. It’s not as if we weren’t juicy enough, either - signs proclaiming “My ass is mine”, Coca-cola-style t-shirts reading WHORE, women in tight red dresses, bisexuals, ex-felons, anarchist men and women decked out in black, and men and women of all ages armed with chalk parading about on the ADC’s patio for an afternoon, waving to passersby and shouting “sex worker rights are human rights!” - that isn’t news in this state?
I can’t help but wonder what else is going unreported here - there’s a whole world out here that folks don’t know exists. We even created a little commotion with the legislature’s pages and security staff when we decided to deliver copies of SWOP’s letter to Ryan to them. No one (all white men) knew what to do or say; they certainly couldn’t take their eyes off us. The capitol police even tailed us until we left the grounds – and we were only a group of four, all of us over 40, I think. It was clear that we were asking something extraordinary when we asked that they deliver copies of the letter to a few mailboxes; the term “sex worker” kept distracting them, I think. And all the red, I’m sure. We certainly livened up their day, at least – one Republican aide was almost asleep on the couch when we first walked in. Good to see our tax dollars hard at work.
Anyway, the past few days with the SWOP folks have been amazing but exhausting – I’m just beginning to recover. I’m still sorting out and writing up what transpired, and where I think we'll go from here, so bear with me as I think out loud (I’m about to piss a lot of people off, but it’s not my intent to hurt anyone, so hold on…):
First, don't stress about the media blackout, really - the Phoenix New Times was a disappointment, but it made visible an elusive element in the structure of Arizona's liberal elite that seems to be deeply threatened by women's resistance: the patriarchy. Not many people ever talks about it here, do they? I bet when they do no one really pays attention. I think it’s the lack of support from the supposedly "feminist" men out here - not oppression by the sexist pigs - that most impedes progress on issues of great pertinence to women. The anarchist men are an exception as are a number in the anti-war movement. SWOP was prepared for a media blackout (so, New Times, I guess you are just like everyone else), and took their own footage, including interviews and the walk through the capitol buildings. It should be edited and posted after the first of the year – I’ll set up a link when it’s ready. In the meantime, I’ll also be posting this on AZ Indymedia, and wherever else I can. I expect we’ll be on our own for media now.
Trivializing things that are important to women is perhaps one of the few ways “liberal” white men can retain power. Since we would otherwise not put up with it, who but criminalized women will they be able to have power over if everyone else is free? They aren’t going back to the top of the hierarchy for a good long time once they fall, that’s for sure, whether they’re liberal or not. If I had it my way, it wouldn’t be a hierarchy – which is probably why I hang with anarchists. Perhaps I should be more understanding and patient with liberal white men, because they have so much to lose in some respects, and still commit themselves to our liberation movements – but we pay the greater price for lost time.
So, they can catch up with the revolution again when they stop whining about being unappreciated. We appreciate you for what you do if you do anything, not just because you’re white men who are willing to be counted on our side. Some men will sign up for anyone’s side if they think they’ll get the goodies in the end – and women happen to be the goodies for most of you. Ultimately, though, those who would deny us liberation and basic human rights can’t possibly really win, so whatever your motives, you’re better of with us anyway.
In any event, since this past week was all about remembering the dead and bringing the living out of the closet of shame, SWOP didn't stage either the memorial or rally as a mainstream “media event”, and were pretty low-key in their own promotions (though high enough profile in the demonstration, to be sure). I think most of their outreach was to their own constituency – they really weren’t expecting anyone else to care about Marcia or any of them, and were thrilled that Marcia has friends now where she seemed to have none before – except for a few other prisoners. I was the only one who seemed surprised not to see more familiar faces from Phoenix; the women from SWOP were pretty happy with the turnout, though, and their friends came up from Tucson to join us. Both events were intimate gatherings as a result -one just more public than the other. Between the two, this has been the most moving, powerful, and educational demonstration that I've ever been a part of - and I’ve done plenty in my years of activism. This even tops the Cronkite thing, and we had just a handful of people.
"No Human Involved" is the classification of homicide victims once used for murdered prostitutes, by the way - the other two options were "male" or "female". That's where the real story is that the media completely missed: Marcia just wasn't considered human by some guards when she was left out to die: she was, by one corrections officer's account after she died, a "biological serial killer." The pink underwear in Tent City, the cages in the state prisons, the police brutality in the streets, sexual and physical abuse by guards, assaults by other prisoners (the real criminals you put us with), the mandatory minimums for prostitution, the requirement that women convicted of prostitution register as sex offenders (do the johns have to so as well?) – it’s all about disempowering and discrediting women – one way of which is demeaning what is feminine when found in men (one of many kinds of misogyny practiced by Joe Arpaio).
I also think maintaining prostitution laws are about enabling the extra thrill that men get from “illicit” sex with brazen and defiant women. Really - what would all these cowboys do if we were no longer outlaws? Tie up their Rotary Club wives? Go after kids? C’mon, guys. Grow up. Some of you are just criminalizing and killing us for kicks – you’re the kind of people who need to be stopped before you contaminate the rest of the community...
The women of SWOP know exactly what the label the prison guards gave Marcia meant, by the way, and what the implications of such a characterization are. I knew when I heard it, too. That was her death sentence, and it was given to her long before she was even dragged into court and sent to prison – it just took awhile to pass it on and carry it out. It was handed down by the good people of this state in the name of “protecting families,” not just a few bad guards having fun. I doubt any of them even meant to kill her.
It's unfortunate that the community members who cared so much about how Marcia lived and died that they made a place for her ashes didn't pick up on any of this, support the SWOP demonstration, and learn what they could from these amazingly perceptive, independent, and fierce women. They may help us keep the same kind of thing from happening again. My life has been blessed by their presence, and I’ve made friends and allies that I know I’ll be working with down the road. I'm certainly more clear about who I can count on to stand with us the next time we position ourselves in public opposition to the state's top cop - who isn't Sheriff Joe. Ryan's the real cop, with far more authority, durability, and credibility among law enforcement officers on policy issues than Arpaio - and he has the keys to all the prisons.
Phoenix New Times loves to hate Ryan, and will thus probably help keep him around - they sure didn't want to let the rest of the Left know that SWOP was even going to be here, and it wasn't for lack of information. Sheriff Joe’s the money-maker these days - he’s just a clown with a badge and dying career now, but he’s still a big seller. Thomas too – I suspect a good many folks will turn out for the protest against him today – certainly the Phx New Times will be there – they saw the dollar signs and promoted the event. I don’t know why I expected that the New Times would have a different bottom line than the Republic – maybe just because they present themselves that way. White men sitting behind desks should not be trusted – much less anointed - to amplify the voices of the voiceless: they just make a production of the BS they think will sell to their audience (indicating that their function is to entertain us), and ignore the rest.
The Phoenix Anarchists aren't shy or afraid when it comes to pushing a social justice agenda, though, and they showed up in force Friday. They always bring a spirit of creativity, revolution, and solidarity to such events: they do whatever they can to stop people from being exploited and abused, without apology. Stan was good to see - he represents the Food Not Bombs connection with Marcia, the people who knew her from something other than her criminal record. There was also overlap among us with Copwatchers (all undercover), the anti-war movement, and even labor. I'm beginning to think that what I see most out here, however, are the exceptional individuals and small groups of comrades (Marcia's Friends, all along) who support numerous liberation movements – I don’t know how much actual cross-movement organizing is really going on, though I still think there’s some cross-fertilization at least from the overlap of activists who all go to each other’s events.
But I'm still new here, and feel like I'm on the outside looking in much of the time, so I may be missing something. The Anti-Sheriff Joe coalition is indeed an authentic amalgamation of different movements drawn together for a common cause; that's where I drew a lot of my initial impressions about cross-movement organizing happening here, which I think in that particular case are still valid. People have done a lot of good work together to end his racist reign on power (though I don't hear much about his misogyny and homophobia, as glaring as they are). Beyond the entertainment value, protesting Sheriff Joe has united members of the community, bringing forth a collective vision for a better Arizona. Still, it's a mistake to think that he's the source of the problem here that has us locking away so many unruly women and people of color in this state.
The rapidly rising rate of incarceration of women hasn't really even been on the anti-Joe agenda, though, so far as I can tell, nor has there been much feminist analysis of what's at the source of Arpaio's popular appeal - it's not just his racism. It's the other -isms that we are blind to, not what we and the world can see so well, that will prevent us from moving forward with a truly progressive agenda, leaving us circling the wagons in hopes that we just outlive the Right wing - we sure don't out-gun them here. Because of our blindness to our own biases and prejudice, and our investment in our own self-interest, too many people settle for compromises which allow them at the expense of our comrades. That’s been a problem for a long time. Covering white middle class liberal ass certainly won’t produce the magic formula that will liberate us all. Our collective chances are much better if we throw our lot in with the sex workers than if we hang with the people who “love” them who are secure enough in their own position with the status quo.
I think Arpaio is becoming more the distraction that keeps us from getting to the real thing than he is the problem himself; we are more at the source of the problem than he is now, because we know better. Our problem is in the silence that we greeted the sex workers with when they asserted that their rights are human rights, too. It's in the permission that male liberals - regardless of ethnicity - give each other to denigrate women's resistance and leadership while slapping each other on the back about how anti-racist they are. It's in the feminists who fail to see how critical they are to ending violence against sex workers - male, female, and transgendered - and how central to all other feminist struggles that particular task is.
The activist community here didn't respond with much more than a memorial service and calls for a softer, gentler prison when Marcia died, which troubles me. Perhaps no one knew what to do. The women at Perryville have been calling us for help ever since then, and we're the ones who have been ignoring them. The population of women in Arizona’s prisons is exploding – where are Arizona's women's rights' groups now? Over 50% of women prisoners in America are mothers - where are the family-centered organizations out here? Most women in prison have been physically or sexually abused - where are the victims' rights organizations out here? Ironically, their collective narrow-minded advocacy has helped brutalize many survivors of trauma and abuse, which doesn't tend to result in anyone’s "rehabilitation." If anything, it further traumatizes and marginalizes victims, transforming their pain into rage that will in turn victimize others. And why are none of them speaking out about state violence - who speaks for the victims of the state?
We need to reframe this whole "victim-perpetrator" analysis of crime to embrace the complexities of oppression, exploitation, racism, misogyny, classism, and other manifestations of fear and of hate as we try to identify the real crimes and criminals in our social landscapes. At present, we're putting victims in prison with their perpetrators, knowing full well that a certain number of them – particularly the most effeminate and vulnerable among the men - will be raped, beaten, and even killed...yes, misogyny kills men, too. If every judge was required to calculate the brutality with which some of the people they sentence to prison will be greeted, or the likelihood that they’ll develop a terminal illness and die there for having shoplifted, perhaps they would think twice about what they consider “just” punishment for violating norms that the privileged few have written into their laws. Maybe they would then elevate their duty to protect the innocent over their satisfaction with punishing who they think is “guilty.” They all need to spend a few days in prison without their robes on before they hand down another sentence like Marcia’s.
When liberation movements try to appeal to the mainstream, these are the first folks to get cut out of the deals - bottom line, even the Left doesn't like deviants who might make them "look bad". Emboldened by mainstream "allies" who are appalled by injustice, revel in the glory of rescuing the downtrodden, and enjoy hearing the sounds of their own protests, these sex workers are some of the most courageous fighters we have, and deserve respect. Once we distance ourselves from their red dresses and umbrellas, however – because we think they’re too in-your-face about it, or that their resistance doesn’t matter to anyone else - we isolate them and make it clear that no one will rise to their defense - or even notice if they're attacked. We are the ones who permit violence – we could stop a lot of it too. Instead we turn away, and let the full force of state and social repression come down on them.
We did that to our revolutionaries a generation ago – they are now our elders, and we have left them to die in prison. Our comrades with SWOP around the world face being targeted, beaten, arrested, imprisoned and killed for demanding that they be treated with respect and dignity, and only their fellow sex workers and a few good souls will honor them and remember their names - much less record their own names and faces publicly beside them in opposition to their treatment. That’s a sad commentary for a liberation movement to leave behind. I think we can expect to see folks from Puente the next time around, though – it seems they didn’t get the word in time to support us (that would be my responsibility – I guess I didn’t confirm with anyone there), but when we ran into a couple of their activists downtown after the demo, they were with us all the way. We’ll be counting on that – and they know we’re there with them, too.
I think the anarchists understand the phenomenon of the Left’s rejection and abandonment better than anyone because they've been hung out to dry a few times - which is why they are such reliable comrades to those of us whom even the progressives reject when the going gets tough. Women as “victims” are useful tools to garner sympathy for a movement or cause of any kind, left or right: our cries galvanize our men to come to our rescue, while the outrage that our suffering elicits prompts other women to assert their own critique. But when women who have been victimized (as well as gay and transgendered people among us) take up arms and lead the charge - especially prostitutes, who represent the secrets and sinful pleasures of so many - we defy progressive norms, too. We fail to be appropriately ashamed and vulnerable, which must emasculate some of the men who would otherwise come to our aid, and appears to threaten some of the women.
Along those lines, I think that the biggest challenge the Sex Workers Outreach Project posed to the community in Phoenix was to the progressives, not to Ryan. He conducted himself in perfect harmony with his title, position, and career trajectory. He consulted on Iraqi prisons, so even a gesture from him would carry more water with me than a gesture from the Left – I can guess what that gesture will be when you’re all done reading this, and I don’t think it will be an embrace. There certainly should be no confusion as to why so many of Ryan’s employees ignored Marcia as she called for help last May, anyway. He doesn't need to listen to what a bunch of whores have to say to him about the law, his leadership, or his prisons - especially not the ones who have behaved so badly as to become his prisoner. He doesn't even have to acknowledge our voice or presence except to do head counts - he can just pretend that we’re invisible and our objections to mistreatment are irrelevant; from there it's remarkable who follows his lead – everyone from the front-line guards to the Phoenix New Times.
A common enemy and collective strategy to defeat it doesn't necessarily make allies or friends, of course, and doesn’t substitute for cross-movement organizing. Not that I’m a great organizer, personally. The folks I’ve seen bridge the gaps most between groups are actually the anarchists (who comprise a large part of the anti-war movement, and wear a multitude of colors) – and they aren’t organizing, per se - they’re being. That’s kind of how I want to be. I don’t know enough yet about anarchy to declare it as my own political creed, but the anarchists here support liberation movements without much prejudice. Whether they're explicitly invited to or not, if they hear about an action against state oppression, they’re on it with their own artistic flair. That’s their tradition. As expected, Friday they were there.
In doing as they have, anarchists have built extensive networks across communities of resistance and can be counted on to vehemently and persistently, individually and collectively, register their opposition to racism, sexism, state violence, fascism, imperialism, war, exploitation of labor, environmental degradation, and just about every other evil thing perpetrated by the state, corporations and individuals in power on this planet. They’ve never forgotten about those we allowed to be taken prisoner, either – whole the rest of the left still clung to Clinton, they were all but abandoned. We should all be grateful to our anarchists for saying and doing all the things that the rest of us are afraid to, but that cannot be left untouched if we are to get anywhere. We may express our shock at anarchists’ brashness and lack of proper respect for authority (thank god for their example, frankly), but we’d all be toast without them; they put themselves between us and violence all the time, yet we are so quick to discount or disparage them as not being “realistic” in their actions or their vision. I happen to think they’re among the few people here with a real clue, and I’m glad someone has their eye on a better future than the rest of us seem willing to settle for.
With that I should stop offending everyone that isn’t an anarchist or criminal and put up my pictures – this is probably a sufficient drubbing for my friends on both the Left and the Right, assuming I have any remaining who will speak to me now.
Those of you who missed the SWOP letter to ADC Director Ryan, by the way, it’s not too late to catch up - read it and take notes - this begins here, it doesn’t end here. They told the truth, which has a lot of power no matter how much people try to render it invisible. They really gave us a lot to build on, and I’m not all that hostile once I settle down again - folks are welcome to drop in any time and tell me what they think. Just keep in mind that I’m much more the agitator than the organizer these days, so don’t expect diplomacy from me. I’ve lost my patience and temper with age, so if you have some ideas about how to do this better, get to work, because we could use a little more help out here. We aren’t exactly the most popular cause in town to begin with (unless we’re dead or not resisting), and I’ve probably just set myself up to be hit from all sides now, so if you don’t step up or get out of the way you’ll probably get hit by cross-fire.
You know how to find me.
Back in a bit with photos (running to the Disbar Andy Thomas rally now). Thanks again to all who showed up to support us – I knew I could at least count on the anarchists, my roomies, and Food-Not-Bombers to be there; they really haven’t missed a beat this whole time. And of course, thanks to my partner in crime, Linda, who has gone out on a limb to make sure real justice is finally at home here. I think we’re all in for a long, hard ride if we’re going to make that happen
Showing posts with label international day to end violence against sex workers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label international day to end violence against sex workers. Show all posts
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thom Hartmann: Sex Workers Outreach Project
Slipping this on e under the post on the rally - this a the link to the December 18 Thom Hartmann radio show that covered the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, interviewing one of the organizers right before the rally Friday. I just can't figure out how to listen to it once I get there.
7th Annual International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers Thom is joined by Deevi Danes, Project Manager with Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP), sex worker for over ten years and advocates for prisoners and sex worker rights, There is a rally today to remember Marcia Powell, a sex worker who died after being left in an uncovered outdoor cage in 107-degree heat at Arizona's Perryville women's prison.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
2009 Sex Worker Remembrance List
December 18, 2009. Rally at Arizona Department of Corrections,
1601 W. Jefferson St. Phoenix.
High Noon.
1601 W. Jefferson St. Phoenix.
High Noon.
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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.
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.
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.
Fight Terror: End Violence Against Sex Workers.
December 17, 2009. International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. http://swop-tucson.org
December 18, 2009. Rally at Arizona Department of Corrections, 1601 W. Jefferson St. Phoenix. High Noon.
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In 2003 “Green River Killer” Gary Ridgeway confessed to having strangled ninety women to death and having “sex” with their dead bodies.
He stated, “I picked prostitutes as victims because they were easy to pick up without being noticed. I knew they would not be reported missing right away and might never be reported missing. I picked prostitutes because I thought I could kill as many of them as I wanted without getting caught.”
Sadly, some Seattle area prostitutes, their boyfriends or pimps, knew the Green River Killer was Gary Ridgeway for years. But they were either afraid to come forward for fear of being arrested themselves, or when they did come forward the police didn’t believe them over the “upstanding family man” Gary Ridageway. It seemed as though the police weren’t working very hard to find the Green River Killer. If the victims had been teachers, nurses or secretaries or other women, I suspect--as Ridgeway did-- that the killer would have been caught much sooner. Ridgeway remained at large for twenty years.
From working as a prostitute myself for two decades I know that violent crimes against sex workers often go unreported, unaddressed and unpunished. There are people who really don’t care when prostitutes are victims of hate crimes, beaten, raped and murdered. They will say:
“They got what they deserved.”
“They were trash.”
“They asked for it”
“What do they expect?”
“The world is better off without those whores.”
No matter how people feel about sex workers and the politics surrounding them, sex workers are a part of our neighborhoods, communities and our families and always will be. Sex workers are women, trans people and men of all shapes, sizes, colors, ages, classes and backgrounds who are working in the sex industry for a wide range of reasons. Many of us are out and proud, and spend a lot of time trying to explain to the public that we freely choose our work and we are not “victims.” But the truth is, some of us have been, or will become, real victims of rape, robbery and horrendous crimes.
When Ridgeway got a plea bargain in 2003, he received a life sentence in exchange for revealing where his victims’ bodies were thrown or buried. As the names of the (mostly 17- to 19-year old) victims, were disclosed, I felt a need to remember and honor them. I cared, and I knew other people cared, too.
So I contacted Robyn Few, the founder of the Sex Worker Outreach Project (SWOP) based in San Francisco and we made December 17th as the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. We invited people everywhere to conduct memorials and vigils in their countries and cities. Robyn co-produced an open-mike vigil on the lawn of San Francisco’s City Hall.
Since 2003, each year hundreds of people in dozens of cities around the world have participated in this day to end violence-- from Montreal where people marched with red umbrellas, to protests against police brutality in Hong Kong, a candlelight vigil in Vancouver, a memorial ritual in Sydney, a dance to overcome pain and trauma in East Godavery, India. More events are planned for 2008, the sixth year of the event.
The concept for the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is simple. Anyone can choose a place and time to gather, invite others to gather and share their stories, writings, thoughts, poems, and memories of victims, related news and performances. Or people can do something personal, alone at home, such as lighting a candle or taking a ritual memorial bath. We encourage discussions among friends, by email, on blogs. People are encouraged to list their events at the SWOP website so others can attend them, and to share the power of their actions. People can also participate by making a donation to a group that helps sex workers by teaching them about dangers and how to best survive. Two such non-profits are St. James Infirmary and AIM Healthcare. (Editor’s Note: Read more about the St. James Infirmary in this article in On The Issues Magazine.com.
This December 17, 2008 many sex workers will converge in Washington, D.C. on for a National March for Sex Worker Rights where marchers “will take a stand for justice, and the freedom to do sex work safely. We are calling for an end to unjust laws, policing, the shaming and stigma that oppress our communities and make us targets for violence.” People are encouraged to join SWOP and other activists in Washington and to endorse this march.
Every year when I create or attend a gathering on December 17, it is a deeply moving experience. I take some moments to feel grateful that I worked as a prostitute for so many years and came out alive. I remember those who didn’t survive and I fear for those who won't unless real changes are made -- namely safer working conditions and the same police protection other citizens get without recrimination.
November 18, 2008
December 18, 2009. Rally at Arizona Department of Corrections, 1601 W. Jefferson St. Phoenix. High Noon.
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December 17, 2009. International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. http://swop-tucson.org
December 18, 2009. Rally at Arizona Department of Corrections, 1601 W. Jefferson St. Phoenix. High Noon.
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A very good article from last year's International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, explaining the history of the event... from On the Issues Magazine.com (progressive women's mag): ------
On The Issues Magazine - Fall 2008 Stopping the Terror: A Day to End Violence Against Prostitutes
by Annie Sprinkle
In 2003 “Green River Killer” Gary Ridgeway confessed to having strangled ninety women to death and having “sex” with their dead bodies.
He stated, “I picked prostitutes as victims because they were easy to pick up without being noticed. I knew they would not be reported missing right away and might never be reported missing. I picked prostitutes because I thought I could kill as many of them as I wanted without getting caught.”
Sadly, some Seattle area prostitutes, their boyfriends or pimps, knew the Green River Killer was Gary Ridgeway for years. But they were either afraid to come forward for fear of being arrested themselves, or when they did come forward the police didn’t believe them over the “upstanding family man” Gary Ridageway. It seemed as though the police weren’t working very hard to find the Green River Killer. If the victims had been teachers, nurses or secretaries or other women, I suspect--as Ridgeway did-- that the killer would have been caught much sooner. Ridgeway remained at large for twenty years.
From working as a prostitute myself for two decades I know that violent crimes against sex workers often go unreported, unaddressed and unpunished. There are people who really don’t care when prostitutes are victims of hate crimes, beaten, raped and murdered. They will say:
“They got what they deserved.”
“They were trash.”
“They asked for it”
“What do they expect?”
“The world is better off without those whores.”
No matter how people feel about sex workers and the politics surrounding them, sex workers are a part of our neighborhoods, communities and our families and always will be. Sex workers are women, trans people and men of all shapes, sizes, colors, ages, classes and backgrounds who are working in the sex industry for a wide range of reasons. Many of us are out and proud, and spend a lot of time trying to explain to the public that we freely choose our work and we are not “victims.” But the truth is, some of us have been, or will become, real victims of rape, robbery and horrendous crimes.
When Ridgeway got a plea bargain in 2003, he received a life sentence in exchange for revealing where his victims’ bodies were thrown or buried. As the names of the (mostly 17- to 19-year old) victims, were disclosed, I felt a need to remember and honor them. I cared, and I knew other people cared, too.
So I contacted Robyn Few, the founder of the Sex Worker Outreach Project (SWOP) based in San Francisco and we made December 17th as the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. We invited people everywhere to conduct memorials and vigils in their countries and cities. Robyn co-produced an open-mike vigil on the lawn of San Francisco’s City Hall.
Since 2003, each year hundreds of people in dozens of cities around the world have participated in this day to end violence-- from Montreal where people marched with red umbrellas, to protests against police brutality in Hong Kong, a candlelight vigil in Vancouver, a memorial ritual in Sydney, a dance to overcome pain and trauma in East Godavery, India. More events are planned for 2008, the sixth year of the event.
The concept for the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is simple. Anyone can choose a place and time to gather, invite others to gather and share their stories, writings, thoughts, poems, and memories of victims, related news and performances. Or people can do something personal, alone at home, such as lighting a candle or taking a ritual memorial bath. We encourage discussions among friends, by email, on blogs. People are encouraged to list their events at the SWOP website so others can attend them, and to share the power of their actions. People can also participate by making a donation to a group that helps sex workers by teaching them about dangers and how to best survive. Two such non-profits are St. James Infirmary and AIM Healthcare. (Editor’s Note: Read more about the St. James Infirmary in this article in On The Issues Magazine.com.
This December 17, 2008 many sex workers will converge in Washington, D.C. on for a National March for Sex Worker Rights where marchers “will take a stand for justice, and the freedom to do sex work safely. We are calling for an end to unjust laws, policing, the shaming and stigma that oppress our communities and make us targets for violence.” People are encouraged to join SWOP and other activists in Washington and to endorse this march.
Every year when I create or attend a gathering on December 17, it is a deeply moving experience. I take some moments to feel grateful that I worked as a prostitute for so many years and came out alive. I remember those who didn’t survive and I fear for those who won't unless real changes are made -- namely safer working conditions and the same police protection other citizens get without recrimination.
November 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Special Arizona Legislative Session tomorrow.
Just in from the AZ Capitol Times blog. What better day than the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers for a new special session to begin? That means they'll all be at the Capitol that day...
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Brewer makes official call for 5th special session
By Jim Small - jim.small@azcapitoltimes.com
Published: December 15, 2009 at 5:33 pm
to address the continuing budget crisis will begin Thursday morning, but the votes to approve a package of bills that include a temporary sales tax increase don’t appear to be in line.
Legislative Republicans and Democrats haven’t agreed on much this year, but both are puzzled by Gov. Jan Brewer’s proclamation earlier today that the two parties have set aside their differences and hashed out a deal that would allow a sales-tax increase she favors to be sent to the ballot in March.
“(The) House does not have the votes at this time (and) nothing has changed since yesterday when we told (Brewer) the same thing. We continue to talk to members,” House Speaker Kirk Adams told Arizona Capitol Times.
“I don’t know why she is saying that. We’ve been very upfront and clear about it. As of now, we do not have the votes.”
Earlier today, media outlets reported Brewer was saying she had been assured by Adams and Senate President Bob Burns that they have secured the necessary Democratic votes to send the temporary one-cent sales tax hike to the ballot.
But that came as news to Democratic leaders.
“She hasn’t asked for a single (vote). We haven’t gotten a call,” said House Assistant Minority Leader Kyrsten Sinema. “She hasn’t talked to anybody.”
She added that neither Brewer nor GOP leaders have agreed to negotiate terms for a bipartisan agreement.
The special session will be the fifth of the year, and the fourth to deal with budget problems. The Arizona Constitution limits what lawmakers can do in a special session to only those thing the governor identifies in the call.
The call issued today includes: adjustments to the current year’s budget; a ballot referral to let voters decide the fate of a temporary sales tax increase; and a ballot referral to temporarily suspend a constitutional provision that prevents lawmakers from cutting voter-approved spending.
Published: December 15, 2009 at 5:33 pm
to address the continuing budget crisis will begin Thursday morning, but the votes to approve a package of bills that include a temporary sales tax increase don’t appear to be in line.
Legislative Republicans and Democrats haven’t agreed on much this year, but both are puzzled by Gov. Jan Brewer’s proclamation earlier today that the two parties have set aside their differences and hashed out a deal that would allow a sales-tax increase she favors to be sent to the ballot in March.
“(The) House does not have the votes at this time (and) nothing has changed since yesterday when we told (Brewer) the same thing. We continue to talk to members,” House Speaker Kirk Adams told Arizona Capitol Times.
“I don’t know why she is saying that. We’ve been very upfront and clear about it. As of now, we do not have the votes.”
Earlier today, media outlets reported Brewer was saying she had been assured by Adams and Senate President Bob Burns that they have secured the necessary Democratic votes to send the temporary one-cent sales tax hike to the ballot.
But that came as news to Democratic leaders.
“She hasn’t asked for a single (vote). We haven’t gotten a call,” said House Assistant Minority Leader Kyrsten Sinema. “She hasn’t talked to anybody.”
She added that neither Brewer nor GOP leaders have agreed to negotiate terms for a bipartisan agreement.
The special session will be the fifth of the year, and the fourth to deal with budget problems. The Arizona Constitution limits what lawmakers can do in a special session to only those thing the governor identifies in the call.
The call issued today includes: adjustments to the current year’s budget; a ballot referral to let voters decide the fate of a temporary sales tax increase; and a ballot referral to temporarily suspend a constitutional provision that prevents lawmakers from cutting voter-approved spending.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Week of Humanity and Action. Dec 13-19.
December 14 (note change from Tuesday to Monday - everyone has a different answer):
5th Special Legislative Session convenes.
Agenda includes finishing off the pesky teachers' union in retaliation for their political activism, fine-tuning legislation that helps the racist patriarchs further consolidate power (including the criminalization of dissent), and shifting tax burdens further onto the backs of the poor through sales tax hikes and upper-income tax breaks. This, while draining impoverished community resources and lives to feed dying small towns being offered no economic hope themselves without being told they have to buy into the practice - and should even share the profits of - of mass incarceration.
Legislators like Kavanagh talk from the affluent fortress of Fountain Hills about the need to make"sacrifices" with budget and tax cuts, while the people he's got the moral fortitude to starve (in order to protect his own interests) are our elderly, young children, minorities, and young mothers... generally, the same people who always get sacrificed by men like him and Pearce: members of the poor and working classes. They seem to fail to appreciate that growing numbers of us have recently fallen out of the middle class, and are taking a second look at these goons and their lawmaking. There's even a quiet but gathering storm of "moderates" in Republican strongholds, as more and more people across party lines are hit by gaps in health care coverage, mortgage scandals and foreclosures, and job layoffs...people who never thought it would happen to them or their families.
I think a lot of incumbents will be surprised to find that their usual BS doesn't have much traction anymore. Instead of offering solutions , these people are talking about spending more money for more prison terms for the kinds of economic crimes people commit to survive desperate times. Then they go selling jobs as agents of state violence and control to people in their own districts as if hosting a prison will be a blessing to their community, while helping the rest of Arizona be "safe".
Safe from who? I wonder who we are so afraid of, sometimes, considering the kinds of sentencing laws we've allowed them to pass. Do we need to use state violence to protect us from all those drug-addicted and mentally ill women in Perryville? Do we really think state violence would "help" them? Are we in that much danger from migrants willing to cross a desert and work in 115 degree heat while our citizens stand on a corner with a beggar's sign? Do we really want to be spending nearly 10% of our state budget on corrections instead of sending it to health care and education? I know there are dangerous, bad people who would cause further harm if left to run amok in society, but that doesn't account for the majority of people who we're told are filling our prisons these days.
So what kind of vision do Arizona's rising - or falling - leaders have for our future? Do they even listen to the versions we would choose? Why aren't they bringing us jobs offering education or hope to others, instead of punishment? Think of how many more people we could employ in rewarding, emancipating fields of work if we redirected some of our incarceration dollars. That would contribute so much more to the health of all of our communities.
Whether or not they realize it in their elected offices yet, the tide has begun to turn. We aren't all falling for this again.
I think that sums it up, so try to make your voices heard this weekend and throughout the week. Votes will be coerced out of every Republican legislator before they even walk in the doors Monday morning, but this is a long-term strategy we're working on here, not just a special session. If the people in power lack courage and imagination to lead the community where we say we really want to be, then we need to step up with our public challenges to their manipulation of prejudices and fears, and form our own visionary task forces drawing on research and reality and respect for human rights - not more right-wing rhetoric - to help us guide public policy...
December 17: International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (Tucson Memorial).
For those of you who want to demonstrate solidarity with the women from SWOP - or simply honor Marcia and other sex workers victimized by violence without engaging in public protest, contacting a legislator, or writing a letter - take a trip down to Tucson for this event Thursday night. It will be worth the drive. Then come back and write up a post for us about the experience - I really want to see how it is through others' eyes, and the more perspectives we exchange at this point, the better. Requests for anonymity will be respected.
December 18: Sex Workers Outreach Project Protest at the AZ DOC in Phoenix.
Click on above link for more info. Details will be posted later today - focus on your legislator this weekend. Please reinforce in writing and on the phone that sex workers' and prisoners' rights are human rights - we aren't asking for anything special: just a little more respect and humanity.
Remember to bring red umbrellas (and/or wear red or black). I'm sure if you have one to loan or donate and can't make it to the rally Friday, if you leave it at Conspire or the Firehouse (here's the Firehouse Gallery facebook site) this week and said it was for the Sex Workers' protest, the folks there would eventually figure out you were trying to get them to me - I need to hit them with some flyers this weekend anyway. I'll stop by both places Thursday for umbrellas or other creative contributions for the rally before heading to Tucson for the memorial.
If you're coming with a group, please drop me a line and let me know how many of you there might be. Bring your guerilla theatre troupes along! Copwatchers should come armed with their cameras, and I'd love it someone could film and edit the event to make a short video for the archives, so we don't just have whatever the mainstream media gives us. That way more than just a handful of people can walk up and be there - it could be Googled forever.
Look forward to seeing everyone. Remember to put your humanity to action this week, and call on others to do the same.
5th Special Legislative Session convenes.
Agenda includes finishing off the pesky teachers' union in retaliation for their political activism, fine-tuning legislation that helps the racist patriarchs further consolidate power (including the criminalization of dissent), and shifting tax burdens further onto the backs of the poor through sales tax hikes and upper-income tax breaks. This, while draining impoverished community resources and lives to feed dying small towns being offered no economic hope themselves without being told they have to buy into the practice - and should even share the profits of - of mass incarceration.
Legislators like Kavanagh talk from the affluent fortress of Fountain Hills about the need to make"sacrifices" with budget and tax cuts, while the people he's got the moral fortitude to starve (in order to protect his own interests) are our elderly, young children, minorities, and young mothers... generally, the same people who always get sacrificed by men like him and Pearce: members of the poor and working classes. They seem to fail to appreciate that growing numbers of us have recently fallen out of the middle class, and are taking a second look at these goons and their lawmaking. There's even a quiet but gathering storm of "moderates" in Republican strongholds, as more and more people across party lines are hit by gaps in health care coverage, mortgage scandals and foreclosures, and job layoffs...people who never thought it would happen to them or their families.
I think a lot of incumbents will be surprised to find that their usual BS doesn't have much traction anymore. Instead of offering solutions , these people are talking about spending more money for more prison terms for the kinds of economic crimes people commit to survive desperate times. Then they go selling jobs as agents of state violence and control to people in their own districts as if hosting a prison will be a blessing to their community, while helping the rest of Arizona be "safe".
Safe from who? I wonder who we are so afraid of, sometimes, considering the kinds of sentencing laws we've allowed them to pass. Do we need to use state violence to protect us from all those drug-addicted and mentally ill women in Perryville? Do we really think state violence would "help" them? Are we in that much danger from migrants willing to cross a desert and work in 115 degree heat while our citizens stand on a corner with a beggar's sign? Do we really want to be spending nearly 10% of our state budget on corrections instead of sending it to health care and education? I know there are dangerous, bad people who would cause further harm if left to run amok in society, but that doesn't account for the majority of people who we're told are filling our prisons these days.
So what kind of vision do Arizona's rising - or falling - leaders have for our future? Do they even listen to the versions we would choose? Why aren't they bringing us jobs offering education or hope to others, instead of punishment? Think of how many more people we could employ in rewarding, emancipating fields of work if we redirected some of our incarceration dollars. That would contribute so much more to the health of all of our communities.
Whether or not they realize it in their elected offices yet, the tide has begun to turn. We aren't all falling for this again.
I think that sums it up, so try to make your voices heard this weekend and throughout the week. Votes will be coerced out of every Republican legislator before they even walk in the doors Monday morning, but this is a long-term strategy we're working on here, not just a special session. If the people in power lack courage and imagination to lead the community where we say we really want to be, then we need to step up with our public challenges to their manipulation of prejudices and fears, and form our own visionary task forces drawing on research and reality and respect for human rights - not more right-wing rhetoric - to help us guide public policy...
December 17: International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (Tucson Memorial).
For those of you who want to demonstrate solidarity with the women from SWOP - or simply honor Marcia and other sex workers victimized by violence without engaging in public protest, contacting a legislator, or writing a letter - take a trip down to Tucson for this event Thursday night. It will be worth the drive. Then come back and write up a post for us about the experience - I really want to see how it is through others' eyes, and the more perspectives we exchange at this point, the better. Requests for anonymity will be respected.
December 18: Sex Workers Outreach Project Protest at the AZ DOC in Phoenix.
Click on above link for more info. Details will be posted later today - focus on your legislator this weekend. Please reinforce in writing and on the phone that sex workers' and prisoners' rights are human rights - we aren't asking for anything special: just a little more respect and humanity.
Remember to bring red umbrellas (and/or wear red or black). I'm sure if you have one to loan or donate and can't make it to the rally Friday, if you leave it at Conspire or the Firehouse (here's the Firehouse Gallery facebook site) this week and said it was for the Sex Workers' protest, the folks there would eventually figure out you were trying to get them to me - I need to hit them with some flyers this weekend anyway. I'll stop by both places Thursday for umbrellas or other creative contributions for the rally before heading to Tucson for the memorial.
If you're coming with a group, please drop me a line and let me know how many of you there might be. Bring your guerilla theatre troupes along! Copwatchers should come armed with their cameras, and I'd love it someone could film and edit the event to make a short video for the archives, so we don't just have whatever the mainstream media gives us. That way more than just a handful of people can walk up and be there - it could be Googled forever.
Look forward to seeing everyone. Remember to put your humanity to action this week, and call on others to do the same.
US Attorney for AZ Burke tiptoes around Arpaio
NEXT WEEK
December 15: Fifth Special Legislative Session Begins
----------------------
Though I didn't make Dennis Burke's swearing in as the new U.S. Attorney for Arizona yesterday, I did make the after-party -- a reception at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine in downtown Phoenix.
Here you go, in the meantime, is a recent post by Stephen Lemons at the Phx New Times - follow it back to the source and dig arond the stuff on Arpaio and Wilcox if I don't get to it tonight. Stephen's calling shit what it is - I know he's got a bunch of people watching his back, but you don't have to commit a crime to go to prison in thist place - which is pretty much what he says below. I haven't been making all this stuff up. This Sheriff really is nuts and he's going to try to take as many of us down with him as he goes.
Hmm. Burke is lacking something here...
Stephen, however, rocks.
Stephen, however, rocks.
------------------
Dennis Burke Admits There's "a Problem" with Joe Arpaio's Rampage; Source Says the U.S. Attorney's Office Will Act in a Matter of Weeks
By Stephen Lemons in Feathered Bastard
Fri., Dec. 11 2009 @ 1:30PM
Though I didn't make Dennis Burke's swearing in as the new U.S. Attorney for Arizona yesterday, I did make the after-party -- a reception at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine in downtown Phoenix.
The reception, sponsored by Congressman Ed Pastor and Phoenix political consultant Ronnie Lopez, was attended by over 100 political movers-and-shakers, as well as lawyers and judges. Before remarks by Lopez and Burke, I spotted Burke mingling with the crowd, and approached him to ask about the two-ton purple gorilla in our county --
Sheriff Joe Arpaio -- and whether Burke's office was going to do anything about Arpaio's rampage against his political enemies, the judiciary, and so on.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio -- and whether Burke's office was going to do anything about Arpaio's rampage against his political enemies, the judiciary, and so on.
I mentioned the MCSO's recent raid on the offices of Chicanos por la Causa, and the climate of fear and intimidation that's dominant in Maricopa County as Arpaio and his willing henchman, County Attorney Andrew Thomas, harass judges, file racketeering complaints on their foes, and arrest practically anyone who opposes their rule of terror.
"People are afraid," I told him. "They're waiting for your office to do something about this man."
Burke replied that he could "neither confirm nor deny" any investigation under way by his office into the sheriff, but invited me to "read into what I just said."
I pressed him, pointing out that he had made statements to the press listing what the priorities of his office will be mortgage fraud and border violence, laudable efforts to be sure, but what about political corruption and intimidation...?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
AZ Week of Action: Dec 13 - 18
This special legislative session will be during the week of the Sex Outreach Workers Project protest at the Department of Corrections on the 18th – which means the Capitol will be a site for actions by all sorts of groups in the days leading up to the event. Might as well just make that a Week of Action. Anyone who already has stuff planned for that week, please let me know.
Despite having no plan other than Governor Brewer's one-cent sales-tax increase that has failed time and time again in the Republican-led Senate -- and something called the "I didn't pay enough fund," where legislators are asking for taxpayer donations and is frankly the worst idea we've ever heard of -- legislators will duke it out once again to try to find a solution.
Considering the state maxed out a $700 million loan from Bank of America in less than a week, you would think legislators would view the situation as a bit urgent and not schedule proceedings for two weeks from now. Until the state has a budget and can pay back the loan, the interest owed to Bank of America will continue to rack up...
We do need support at the ADC on the 18th - especially women we can all blend in with. Scattered solidarity actions leading up to and happening on the 18th are as good as joining the protest at the ADC, though - especially for the folks who are already working away on people like Arpaio - just tie something into an action that week that demonstrates visible solidarity with sex workers demanding an end to brutalization, and send us pictures so we can show everyone that you're out there. We need to make our resistance more visible, as Puente and allies have done.
The "International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers" is actually on the 17th, when there will be a more somber event and memorial in Tucson, which people are welcome to - the red umbrella image on this page links to SWOP-Tucson, where you can get the flyer. I think we'll come up with a common symbol (umbrella?) or color (red or black?) or sign (end violence against...) or something that other groups can use to demonstrate the connection between seemingly unrelated events. Those are just some thoughts for now.
The "International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers" is actually on the 17th, when there will be a more somber event and memorial in Tucson, which people are welcome to - the red umbrella image on this page links to SWOP-Tucson, where you can get the flyer. I think we'll come up with a common symbol (umbrella?) or color (red or black?) or sign (end violence against...) or something that other groups can use to demonstrate the connection between seemingly unrelated events. Those are just some thoughts for now.
Contact me with other ideas.
The women with SWOP - USA
But they may need to be asked to do so, first.
We could use a hand getting all this together next week, so if you’ve been wondering how you can help, I have all sorts of ideas. Please contact me if there's anyone out there interested in doing some community organizing - we need you now through Christmas, at least.
---------------
New Special Session Expected to Begin December 14, but Don't Get Your Hopes Up About Any Arizona Budget Solution
By James King in Budget Blunders
Thu., Dec. 3 2009 @ 8:50AM
Arizona's lackluster Legislature is looking to call its next special session the week of December 14 to discuss ways to bridge the state's $1.6 billion budget gap.
Despite having no plan other than Governor Brewer's one-cent sales-tax increase that has failed time and time again in the Republican-led Senate -- and something called the "I didn't pay enough fund," where legislators are asking for taxpayer donations and is frankly the worst idea we've ever heard of -- legislators will duke it out once again to try to find a solution.
Considering the state maxed out a $700 million loan from Bank of America in less than a week, you would think legislators would view the situation as a bit urgent and not schedule proceedings for two weeks from now. Until the state has a budget and can pay back the loan, the interest owed to Bank of America will continue to rack up...
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Friends Of Marcia Powell: Organizing Update
The report I'm tucking below this post came in Monday afternoon from Doug Kilgore at the AEA (legislative update). I guess they'll all head straight over to the legislature Tuesday from the Governing Arizona event, which 1/3 of them are slated to be at. The group that's putting it all together claims to be promoting "Better decisions through economic, scientific, and engineering analysis."
Now, what the %$*#@ does that mean? That set me off for three hours last night and got me up again this AM - I'm just about to hit send on this and shut the thing down.
Those sound like the frameworks that have been most employed in developing the kind of public policies that will likely continue to kill a certain portion of the population through hunger, malnutrition, and medical neglect, and incarcerate more of our people for longer stretches with less access to community resources and "rehabilitation" opportunities than ever, institutionalizing people in the name of justice from childhood to death at a faster rate than any other nation in the world.
To hear us proclaim the virtues and liberties of our democracy and neo-liberal capitalism (as if the two can really co-exist in the same time and space), you'd think we were a pretty noble and honorable people - not the most criminalized, imprisoned nation on the planet. Even those who think they live "free" here are so often trapped by their fear that they have to strike out at others with hate crimes.
Worse, the well-intended-but-ignorant help perpetuate this societal disease by voting in the legislative architects who carry more blueprints for "better" prisons and punishments through the use and threat of state violence. Eventually it comes back to bite us all one day - or our kids and grandkids, more likely.
At present incarceration rates (which are expected to increase in the AZ prison population, not hold them steady of even try to reverse the trends), one in every one hundred children in Arizona will end up in prison at some point in their lives. That's similar to the incidence of schizophrenia in the American population, only the psychic trauma experienced by going to prison is prescribed and inflicted under court order, as one is placed in literal bondage and cast into exile, with citizens' consent and regular reaffirmation through the passive or reckless election of brutal judges most of us never even heard of. Who pays attention that all that, anyway?
Who even has time?
We do, among us. We have the time and the talent to pull this off. The question is whether or not we have the collective will. Retired people, people with disabilities, stay-at home parents (to a lesser degree, granted - that's more than full time work if you do it well), part-time workers, students, artists, street musicians, and guys who hang out at the bar from 2pm to 6pm because they have no sense of purpose and have no one to drink with all have a little time for a good cause.
We have work to be done that is meaningful, if that's what someone out there has been longing for - it just won't pay the rent, and could spell trouble for current state prisoners, psychiatric patients, or parolees. You might want to keep your heads down for a little while or you may risk being caught in crossfire. Take care of yourselves first. Then each other. Be safe. We'll need to tag off now and then anyway, so get out and off-paper before you pick any more fights - especially with cops, lawmakers, and judges. There will always be room for you in this one.
We need the truth of lived experience more than anything to be told on this journey - and that's what you have the most of. Prisoners and loved ones, corrections officers and probationers - quietly practice telling your story, if you think it's something you can put to work for justice more effectively than it can be used against you. They hold it against us anyway by shutting us down with shame. You'll be punished long after you've done your time, unless we change the tone out here. I don't keep many secrets myself for that very reason - my life has been one of survival and resistance, it has forced me to draw creative talent I never knew I had from the bottom of my soul, and has given my voice authenticity - and hence, its power. Our hard-earned lessons are not something to be ashamed of if they can be used as a way to make things better for others. Just keep it all real.
There is good reason to be afraid, by the way. That's why they call it "courage". Do not be fearless; that has always made me reckless. That goes for everyone. And don't be shy with your struggling comrades - we don't have time. Take me aside even, if you think I've crossed - or am about to cross - some kind of line I may not see.
Folks on the inside have to gauge how thing are for themselves. As everyone from Mumia to Paul Wright have documented, prisoner organizing is not usually well-received by administrators or prison guards. It leads to dangerous things like "empowerment" and "solidarity". Thoughts of resistance are contraband - printed words can really cause trouble. Print them when and where you can and send them to us anyway, as long as you know and can bear the possible consequences. We'll show support how we can, but you'll have to decide yourselves, collectively and individually, whether or not to compromise your safety and freedom. We can't protect you well enough to guarantee safe passage. We can only try to make you visible, and amplify your voice so it is heard everywhere in the world that there is Google, and read everywhere in America that a Breast Cancer Research Ribbon stamp will carry it.
On the outside, we need to start taking notes about sentences handed down by judges, and on the courtroom and behind-closed-doors conduct of prosecutors. That will mean going to court a lot, and being accessible to defendants and family members as a conduit - not a source - of information. Public defenders need to be held accountable, too. We should set up a new website, and be posting follow-up steps or tasks on important cases on the internet so friends and families can keep up with their loved ones while they keep holding down their own jobs and taking care of the kids. There should be no votes left un-cast for lack of information about a district's candidates - not just on the internet, but in real space, too.
There are already other people gathering and managing all that information in non-partisan manners - we just need to add our two cents, format it all and put it into context, then into our people's hands. Hit community centers, coffee shops, meetings of peace and justice groups you're in, union halls, and so on. We don't want to generate endorsements - others can do that. We don't need to be the ones running town hall meetings - unless that's your thing, like the Unitarians in Surprise. It would be great if a few folks came by this week to help me brainstorm some ideas for upcoming events and make cool fliers for stuff going on between now and the Dec 18 International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.
My schedule's pretty flexible - drop me a line, sooner rather than later. If you're with a group I've been hanging with until recently, I won't crash your meetings uninvited for awhile - you all need to decide your own tactics, priorities, etc. and how to approach this call to sustained action without me being in the conversation you have about it. I'm asking for your help, not giving you directions.
All that stuff I talked about up there has working models on the street across the country, and is building a solid base of information for research, which is well underway and some is published. It would just take me more time than I have tonight to set up the links for you, so you'll have to start work soon if you're into this.
Begin by Googling Courtwatch. I've talked about it here recently. The Times Picayune in New Orleans had a great write up last year abut the program there - the website doesn't look active, though - but hit it if you find it - definitely check out the article. Then think some more and take it from there. Drop me a line if you have any questions or good ideas.
Hope to see more of Marcia's Friends out and about soon. Remember, I'm loaded with great arts and crafts supplies, sidewalk chalk - you name it. I'll hook you up.
Thanks.
Peg
Now, what the %$*#@ does that mean? That set me off for three hours last night and got me up again this AM - I'm just about to hit send on this and shut the thing down.
Those sound like the frameworks that have been most employed in developing the kind of public policies that will likely continue to kill a certain portion of the population through hunger, malnutrition, and medical neglect, and incarcerate more of our people for longer stretches with less access to community resources and "rehabilitation" opportunities than ever, institutionalizing people in the name of justice from childhood to death at a faster rate than any other nation in the world.
To hear us proclaim the virtues and liberties of our democracy and neo-liberal capitalism (as if the two can really co-exist in the same time and space), you'd think we were a pretty noble and honorable people - not the most criminalized, imprisoned nation on the planet. Even those who think they live "free" here are so often trapped by their fear that they have to strike out at others with hate crimes.
Worse, the well-intended-but-ignorant help perpetuate this societal disease by voting in the legislative architects who carry more blueprints for "better" prisons and punishments through the use and threat of state violence. Eventually it comes back to bite us all one day - or our kids and grandkids, more likely.
At present incarceration rates (which are expected to increase in the AZ prison population, not hold them steady of even try to reverse the trends), one in every one hundred children in Arizona will end up in prison at some point in their lives. That's similar to the incidence of schizophrenia in the American population, only the psychic trauma experienced by going to prison is prescribed and inflicted under court order, as one is placed in literal bondage and cast into exile, with citizens' consent and regular reaffirmation through the passive or reckless election of brutal judges most of us never even heard of. Who pays attention that all that, anyway?
Who even has time?
We do, among us. We have the time and the talent to pull this off. The question is whether or not we have the collective will. Retired people, people with disabilities, stay-at home parents (to a lesser degree, granted - that's more than full time work if you do it well), part-time workers, students, artists, street musicians, and guys who hang out at the bar from 2pm to 6pm because they have no sense of purpose and have no one to drink with all have a little time for a good cause.
We have work to be done that is meaningful, if that's what someone out there has been longing for - it just won't pay the rent, and could spell trouble for current state prisoners, psychiatric patients, or parolees. You might want to keep your heads down for a little while or you may risk being caught in crossfire. Take care of yourselves first. Then each other. Be safe. We'll need to tag off now and then anyway, so get out and off-paper before you pick any more fights - especially with cops, lawmakers, and judges. There will always be room for you in this one.
We need the truth of lived experience more than anything to be told on this journey - and that's what you have the most of. Prisoners and loved ones, corrections officers and probationers - quietly practice telling your story, if you think it's something you can put to work for justice more effectively than it can be used against you. They hold it against us anyway by shutting us down with shame. You'll be punished long after you've done your time, unless we change the tone out here. I don't keep many secrets myself for that very reason - my life has been one of survival and resistance, it has forced me to draw creative talent I never knew I had from the bottom of my soul, and has given my voice authenticity - and hence, its power. Our hard-earned lessons are not something to be ashamed of if they can be used as a way to make things better for others. Just keep it all real.
There is good reason to be afraid, by the way. That's why they call it "courage". Do not be fearless; that has always made me reckless. That goes for everyone. And don't be shy with your struggling comrades - we don't have time. Take me aside even, if you think I've crossed - or am about to cross - some kind of line I may not see.
Folks on the inside have to gauge how thing are for themselves. As everyone from Mumia to Paul Wright have documented, prisoner organizing is not usually well-received by administrators or prison guards. It leads to dangerous things like "empowerment" and "solidarity". Thoughts of resistance are contraband - printed words can really cause trouble. Print them when and where you can and send them to us anyway, as long as you know and can bear the possible consequences. We'll show support how we can, but you'll have to decide yourselves, collectively and individually, whether or not to compromise your safety and freedom. We can't protect you well enough to guarantee safe passage. We can only try to make you visible, and amplify your voice so it is heard everywhere in the world that there is Google, and read everywhere in America that a Breast Cancer Research Ribbon stamp will carry it.
On the outside, we need to start taking notes about sentences handed down by judges, and on the courtroom and behind-closed-doors conduct of prosecutors. That will mean going to court a lot, and being accessible to defendants and family members as a conduit - not a source - of information. Public defenders need to be held accountable, too. We should set up a new website, and be posting follow-up steps or tasks on important cases on the internet so friends and families can keep up with their loved ones while they keep holding down their own jobs and taking care of the kids. There should be no votes left un-cast for lack of information about a district's candidates - not just on the internet, but in real space, too.
There are already other people gathering and managing all that information in non-partisan manners - we just need to add our two cents, format it all and put it into context, then into our people's hands. Hit community centers, coffee shops, meetings of peace and justice groups you're in, union halls, and so on. We don't want to generate endorsements - others can do that. We don't need to be the ones running town hall meetings - unless that's your thing, like the Unitarians in Surprise. It would be great if a few folks came by this week to help me brainstorm some ideas for upcoming events and make cool fliers for stuff going on between now and the Dec 18 International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.
My schedule's pretty flexible - drop me a line, sooner rather than later. If you're with a group I've been hanging with until recently, I won't crash your meetings uninvited for awhile - you all need to decide your own tactics, priorities, etc. and how to approach this call to sustained action without me being in the conversation you have about it. I'm asking for your help, not giving you directions.
All that stuff I talked about up there has working models on the street across the country, and is building a solid base of information for research, which is well underway and some is published. It would just take me more time than I have tonight to set up the links for you, so you'll have to start work soon if you're into this.
Begin by Googling Courtwatch. I've talked about it here recently. The Times Picayune in New Orleans had a great write up last year abut the program there - the website doesn't look active, though - but hit it if you find it - definitely check out the article. Then think some more and take it from there. Drop me a line if you have any questions or good ideas.
Hope to see more of Marcia's Friends out and about soon. Remember, I'm loaded with great arts and crafts supplies, sidewalk chalk - you name it. I'll hook you up.
Thanks.
Peg
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