Policing and Crime Bill

POLICING & CRIME BILL

Dear Friends, your support is urgently needed today and tomorrow.

Prostitution clauses are being debated in the Lords tomorrow afternoon, Tuesday 3 November.  This is our last chance to get changes in the Lords.  A number of Peers oppose the clauses and will be speaking against them.  But they need others to join them.  

We have heard that Peers are getting emails every day from those who want to criminalise men who pay for sex.  They need to hear from those of us who don't agree with criminalisation.  

If you haven't written opposing this and the other prostitution clauses in the Bill please WRITE TODAY.  If you have already written, WRITE AGAIN. 

You can find the emails of the Peers at: http://www.prostitutescollective.net/PolicingandCrimeHowToOppose.htm [1]

Let Peers know the strength of your conviction and the breadth of opposition to the Bill.  You can use the model letter but they would take note of your letter much more if you write about your our personal experience and views: http://www.prostitutescollective.net/PolicingandCrimeModelLetter.htm [2].

Over 40 organisations have signed a statement against the Bill.  If you are part of an organisation or can sign in a professional capacity and haven't added your signature yet, please do so right away at: http://www.prostitutescollective.net/Organisations_vs_PCB.htm [3]

We hope you have seen the following information:

1. Lobby and Briefing for Peers, 6-7pm this evening in Committee Room 3A in the Lords http://www.prostitutescollective.net/PCB%20--%20Hear%20the%20Evidence.htm [4].  Please come along if you possibly can.  Come into Parliament through the main St Stephens entrance, giving yourself at least half an hour to get through security.   
2. Demonstration against the Bill on Tuesday afternoon 12-2 in Parliament Square. http://www.prostitutescollective.net/Demo_Vs_PCB.htm [5]   We would appreciate your support as there will be a pro-criminalisation demonstration at the same time.  We will be going into the public gallery in the Lords after the demonstration to listen to the debate and you are welcome to join us. 
3. Nick Davies's excellent Guardian investigation, our response to it and other good comments and letters.  Davies exposed how figures on trafficking, which have been used to justify the Policing and Crime Bill and the raids and deportations against sex workers, were fabricated.  Our letters have not been published   http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/oct/20/trafficking-numbers-women-exaggerated [6].
4. Our response to Denis MacShane MP who is telling lies about our work and continues to peddle the same discredited trafficking claims.  http://www.prostitutescollective.net/Response_to_Denis_McShane.htm [7]
5. Watch the Newsnight debate between Mr MacShane and Niki Adams (ECP).  It has attracted a lot of attention.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtaEdI3aiwg [8]

Hoping to see you this evening and on Parliament Square between 12 noon-2pm tomorrow. 

Many thanks and best wishes,

Safety First,

Cari Mitchell

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