Triple-X History

2nd Annual RED UMBRELLA MARCH
For Sex Work Solidarity, June 14, 2014

Vancouver Sex Workers and Friends Take to the Streets Protesting Bill C-36

It was a typical Vancouver Saturday in June. Grey and wet, downtown streets bustling with umbrellas. But by the time my taxi pulled up beside the Vancouver Art Gallery, the crowd of umbrellas had all turned to red! A moment later, the annual World Naked Bike Ride flew along Robson Street passing by the art gallery steps.

Annual World Naked Bike Ride in Vancouver, Saturday, June 14, 2014. Photo: Jason Payne, PNG

Red umbrellas and placards littered the steps of the Art Gallery. Katrina Pacey, from PIVOT Legal Society had just finished speaking. As emcee Pivot Legal Society Chair, Kerry Porth introduced Member of Parliament for Vancouver East, Libby Davies, Triple-X director, Anna Smith brandished a sign that read: "Exit strategy for Peter MacKay, Minister for No Justice." With a bullhorn, Libby addressed the brightly-dressed crowd who were listening intently and cheering.

MP Libby Davies speaking out against Bill C-36 at the Red Umbrella March. Photo: Sarah Allen

Next, a young man, Tom, well dressed in a black suit and red tie, told his personal story for the first time. He became a sex worker in order to pull his life together and stay off drugs.

"I was truly broken and doing sex work was the only way for me to build my life again. Having the ability to make my own money, pick my own hours, choose my clients and set limits gave me back a sense of power and control that I had lost to my addiction."

His story moved the crowd who responded with loud applause and cheers.

Professional dominatrix, Velvet Steele whips up the crowd at the Red Umbrella March. Photo: elfeministo

The final speaker was the incomparable Velvet Steele, a professional dominatrix and star from the TV series, Kink. Velvet gave the government hell, whipping up the crowd until myself, Triple-X president, Andy Sorfleet and Kerry Porth took up the Triple-X banner and forged our way to the edge of Robson and stepped into the street. We led the crowd through the Granville Street entertainment district before turning onto Pender, Vancouver's once historic area for brothels.

Triple-X directors lead the parade through the Granville Street entertainment district. Photo: Steve Bosch, PNG

Once on Pender, Sex Workers United Against Violence headed up the march which had grown to over 200 people. A sea of red umbrellas filled Hastings Street with chants: "Sex workers' rights are human rights," "Keep your laws off my body," "Harper's laws have got to go," "Start with rights, end with freedoms," "My clients are not criminals" and "Only rights can stop the wrongs."

Sex Workers United Against Violence lead the march down Hamilton Street. Photo: Charlie Smith, Georgia Straight

The red umbrella parade winded past the old Carnegie Public Library onto Main Street and over the bridge that leads to CRAB (Creating Real Accessible Beach) Park which overlooks the Burrard Inlet. Once in the park, marchers gathered for a final round of chants led by Esther Shannon from FIRST: "Who's beautiful? We are! Who's united? We are! Who's powerful? We are! Who's going to win? We are!!"

Triple-X director, Will Pritchard, prepared watermelon and orange slices, and the crowd took the opportunity to mingle a bit, expressing their joy in the event's huge success, before drifting off to enjoy the rest of their Saturday.

I would like to mention also the most excellent Vancouver police escorts on bikes, motorcycles and a cruiser which stopped and directed traffic and kept our parade safe through Vancouver's busy downtown.

A big congratulations to you all!

All the organizers and participants who attended the finale in CRAB Park. Photo: Emma Campbell, Combination Films

The Red Umbrella March was organized by the following Vancouver groups: Triple-X Workers' Solidarity Association of B.C., Downtown Eastside Sex Workers United Against Violence, Pivot Legal Society, Providing Alternatives, Counselling and Education Society, B.C. Coalition of Experiential Communities, FIRST: Feminists Advocating for the Decriminalization of Sex Work.

For more photos visit us on Twitter: @XXXWorkers.

The Red Umbrella March was part of a national day of action, with events in cities across Canada, including in Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Hamilton and Halifax.

• Protest planned in response to Bill C-36 – Red Umbrella Rally and March for Sex Work, Georgia Straight, June 12 - 19, 2014
• Bill C-36 brings out Vancouver protesters who oppose Conservative crackdown on sale of sex, Georgia Straight, June 14, 2014
• Photos: Vancouver sex trade workers parade – Red Umbrella Rally and March for Sex Work, The Province, June 15, 2014
• Sex workers take to Canada's streets to protest prostitution legislation, The Province, June 15, 2014
• Why Sex Work Should Not Be a Crime, Red Umbrella March Leaflet, 2014.
• Press Release: Red Umbrella March for Sex Work Solidarity, June 10, 2014.
• Poster: Red Umbrella March. Saturday, June 14, 2014
• Lettersize Poster: Red Umbrella March. Please print and post!
• 2013 Red Umbrella March. Press and photos from June 8, 2013.