Amsterdam’s sex workers Thursday protested against the transfer of their famed red light district to an out-of-town “erotic centre”, in what is seen as part of a battle for the city’s soul.
Many wearing masks to shield their identity, dozens of sex workers marched through the streets towards City Hall, one carrying a banner saying: “If sex workers are not to blame, then why are we being punished?”
Mayor Femke Halsema wants to uproot the red light district and move it out of town to a purpose-built “erotic centre”, aiming to rid Amsterdam’s image as “sin city” while reducing the number of tourists and petty crime in the area.
But she has found herself up against local residents who do not want the new centre on their doorstep, as well as sex workers who feel they are scapegoats for the criminals and crowds surrounding their neon-lit booths.
Halsema has long opposed the centuries-old red light district, known as De Wallen, with its neon-lined windows in canalside houses where sex workers stand waiting for customers.
The city council has earmarked three possible sites for the erotic centre, which would have 100 rooms for sex workers.
One sex worker who identified herself only as Lucie dismissed the idea as “one big gentrification project.”
“It’s mainly about combatting the crowds in De Wallen, but that is not the sex workers’ fault so I don’t see why we should be punished for it,” said Lucie, who declined to give her last name.
Even the European Medicines Agency got caught up in the controversy after it emerged one possible site for the erotic centre was near its headquarters.
The EMA voiced outrage, saying it could affect the safety of people working late at the office.
More than 20,000 have signed a petition against the transfer of the booths, calling instead for better crowd control in the area and greater police surveillance, especially at night.
Moving of the red light district is Amsterdam’s latest effort to transform its image as a party capital.
It has also launched a “stay away” campaign to discourage stag nights and boozy tourists, which caused a stir in Britain after the council said it would start by targeting British men aged 18-35.
© Agence France-Presse
