[news] jamie lee hamilton press release

[sharai]

January 21, 2004
> 
> 
> Press Release
> 
> Prostitute Advocate Seeks Mayor' Summitt To Combat
> Crimes of Hate on Local Sex Trade Workers
> 
> Vancouver, BC
> 
> "Once again Vancouver has a black eye as prostitutes
> are left battered, bruised and beaten while the
> rampaging torture inflicted on them by serial
> sadists
> continues without any political action to combat
> these
> serious and henious crimes", claims Jamie Lee
> Hamilton, a well known sex trade worker advocate.
> 
> The City of Vancouver has the dubious reputation as
> the dirtiest,seediest and most violent city in the
> world when it comes to harm of prostitutes. 
> 
> To back up her claims, Hamilton cites the senseless
> slaughter and murders of over 60 women from the
> Downtown Eastside while political leaders made
> comments such as 'oh they just moved away' or 'we
> are
> not going to fund a Location service'. And now
> following on the worst serial killing in Canada is
> the
> fact that over 50 known sex workers in the Downtown
> Eastside once again have been brutally raped,
> tortured
> and maimed while Law officers stood by and refused
> to
> take action as prostitutes cried for help only to be
> informed 'well what do you expect-you agreed to
> provide services so it's not really rape' or 'you
> know
> how dangerous this scene is so why do you do it' or
> 'get out if you can't stand the heat'.
> 
> Says Hamilton, "Pathetic and Troubling is that NOT
> one
> officer, when it could have made a difference took
> the
> time to take a report or do follow up. Yet the city
> after the fact is embarking on a public relations
> campaign and is spending hundreds of thousands of
> dollars to deflect what is sure to be ample calls of
> concern".  
> 
> Hamilton poses these questions:
> 
> Could these horrendous crimes have been prevented
> and
> subsequently lives saved? Can the city  decrease
> violence against sex workers? Most importantly, can
> the city stop the organized commodification,
> degradation and exploitation of Sex Trade workers?.
> A
> public police inquiry would shed light but as we
> know
> from the Pickton case the police will hide behind
> the
> veil of protecting the rights of the accused and
> therefore prevent public inquiry' until after
> lengthy
> court cases are complete.  
> 
> Jamie Lee Hamilton is calling for immediate action.
> The Mayor must strike a Summitt on Sex Trade Safety.
> This group should include representation from active
> sex workers, Councillors Roberts and Woodsworth,
> politicians and concerned community members. Failure
> to act will undoubtedly lead to further tragic harm.
> 
> -30-
> 
> For more info Jamie Lee Hamilton )604)781-6624
> 
> 

-----------------------------------------------------
"Love is profoundly political. Our deepest revolution will 
come when we understand this truth. Only Love can 
give us the strength to go forward in the midst of 
heartbreak and misery. Only Love can give us the 
power to reconcile, to redeem, the power to renew weary 
spirits and save lost souls.The transformative power of 
Love is the foundation of all meaningful social change."
---Bell Hooks