STAR-STAR – the First Sex Workers Collective in the Balkans is organising traditional Red Umbrella March on 17th December (Monday) to mark the International Day to Stop Violence against Sex Workers. Sex workers, human rights activists and supporters are going to march in the centre of Skopje with red umbrellas to remember victims of violence and reinforce the message that crimes against sex workers will be not tolerated.
STAR-STAR, along with its supporters and activists, joins the global action to solidarity with sex workers around the world, to fight against the violence and discrimination that this marginalised group faces on a daily basis.
We would like to send a message: “DECRIMINALIZATION NOW!” and encourage the institutions and general public to open the issue about regulation of sex work. Sex workers think that the decriminalisation of sex work is the best policy for improving the health, well-being and human rights of sex workers. These efforts are based on the needs of sex workers to ensure protection of their human rights, to create safe living and working conditions, and prevent violence and exploitation.
RED UMBRELLA MARCH
MONDAY, 17TH DECEMBER, 12:00 PM
PLACE: IN FRONT OF THE MEMORIAL HOUSE OF MOTHER THERESA
MONDAY, 17TH DECEMBER, 12:00 PM
PLACE: IN FRONT OF THE MEMORIAL HOUSE OF MOTHER THERESA
Inaugurated by Dr. Annie Sprinkle and started by the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA, the first annual day was in 2003 and was held as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle, Washington. The killer said: “I wanted to kill as much as I could. I knew that no one would immediately report them missing, and even maybe they will never be reported. I collected prostitutes because I thought I could kill as much as I want without getting caught.” Gary Leon Ridgway was sentenced to life imprisonment and was fined $ 10,000 for each victim on December 18th, 2003.
Sex workers along with our supporters, invite you this year to join the Red Umbrella March and become part of our efforts to regulate sex work in Macedonia, and to eradicate violence against sex workers. We will not stop marching until sex workers are guaranteed with safe working conditions and full enjoyment of human rights.