Stella, and the sex worker project at Séro-Zéro, who both offer support and information to sex workers, the Coalition for the Rights of Sex Workers, and the International Union of Sex Workers, are organizing a vigil in memory of murdered sex workers, and in solidarity with the Sex Worker Outreach Project (SWOP-USA), for the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. This vigil will take place in front of the Palais de Justice at 1 Notre-Dame East in Montreal, on December 17, 2003, at 5:00 p.m.

We intend to make Paul Martin aware of the intolerable situation for sex workers due to the current laws on prostitution. We are appealing to our Prime Minister for the decriminalization of activities related to sex work, as well as the application of real and concrete means of fighting against violence, in all contexts where sex work is practised, without discrimination. The decriminalization of sex work will allow sex workers equal access to health services, social services, labour rights and protection under the law.

we invite you to participate in the vigil and/or our demands:
1. print the letter
2. sign the last part of the letter in agreement
3. post the letter to the following address:
Mr. Paul Martin
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Montreal, December 16, 2003

Mr. Paul Martin
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

Upon your arrival as Prime Minister of Canada, Stella and the sex workers project at Séro-Zéro, Montreal community organizations providing support and information to sex workers, along with the Coalition for the Rights of Sex Workers and the International Union of Sex Workers, would like to make you aware of the intolerable situation for sex workers due to the current law on prostitution.

These laws, and the manner in which they are applied, put sex workers’ lives in danger by legitimizing and perpetuating abuse and violence against women. Very recently, in Canada and elsewhere, these laws have allowed individuals, most recently the Green River killer in Seattle, Washington, to justify the murder of prostitutes. This killer declared, “I also 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.