Sex workers have been in Soho, central London, for at least 200 years. During that time there has been constant attempts to arrest women and raid and close down the premises where we work. Since the 1980s women in Soho have been part of the ECP’s network and we have spearheaded campaigns against evictions and landgrabs. For example, in 2013, we mobilised against mass police raids which forced the closure of flats where women were working in relative safety. Most were re-opened, and the lie promoted by the police that the raids were aimed at saving victims of trafficking was thoroughly discredited. See more here: ‘Soho Fights’.
A group of prostitutes have been evicted from their house in London’s Soho district. Protestors gathered in the area – which is known as an unnofficial red-light district – to denounce the evictions. The English Collective of Prostitutes who organised the protest are saying criminal activity still remains to be proven and that this move […]
Demonstrators gather outside office of one of the main property owners in the area calling for them to stand up to the police. A new crackdown on sex workers in London’s historic red light district risks putting women in danger and changing the character of Soho, sex workers and activists said on Wednesday. Sex workers from […]
Women at 26 Romilly Street were evicted last night. Demo 11-12 TODAY. See info below. “Don’t put us out on the streets. Save Soho” Soho sex workers and supporters protest against evictions and the destruction of Soho by developers. PROTEST: 11am, Wednesday 9 OctoberOutside Soho Estates, Portland House, 12-13 Greek Street, London, W1D 4DL Women […]
Mama Quilla shows that theatre still has the capacity to address public issues. —The GuardianOn 17 October 2009, Mama Quilla, funded by the Arts Council and Camden Council presented:”A Day of Debate and Performance. Should Prostitution Be Decriminalised?”As early as 2000, Westminster Council had made attempts to cleanse Soho of its sex workers by the compulsory […]
A judge has ruled that a Soho brothel shut down by police earlier this month can reopen for business.Metropolitan police officers used antisocial behaviour legislation that came into effect at the end of last year to issue a closure notice on two flats in Dean Street, Soho, where sex is sold. But yesterday Mr Justice […]
Keith Dovkants The working girls of Soho were in jubilant mood today after scoring a famous victory over the forces of law and order. Indeed, today may count as a significant date in the 350-year-long history of Soho as a haven for the world’s oldest profession. After all, how often has a judge ordered the police […]
An application by the Metropolitan Police and Westminster Council for a Closure Order against two flats at 61 Dean Street, Soho, was dismissed today, 18 February 2009. (Excellent report in the Evening Standard below.)With the help of Soho sex workers and other local people, the English Collective of Prostitutes and Legal Action for Women gathered evidence […]
On 18 December, three police officers from Charing Cross Clubs and Vice Unit visited a flat in Romilly Street, Soho, London and issued a written notice against Ms Tracey Ramsey* who works as a receptionist there, that they intend charging her with “controlling prostitution for gain”. Soho has been one of the safest places for […]
In February 2001, we organized an emergency picket to protest against police and immigration raids against 60 immigrant women in Soho, London. The protest got widespread sympathetic media coverage and as a result the raids were publicly condemned and their legality challenged by women’s groups, prominent lawyers, MPs and church people. Many deportations were stopped […]