Red Light District Sex Workers Hold Massive Protest in Amsterdam

Netherlands – The commercial sex workers in Amsterdam have protested against the planned transfer of their famed red light district to an out-of-town “erotic center”, in what is seen as part of a battle for the city’s soul.

Dozens of people, many wearing masks to shield their identity, 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?” as quoted from Guardian site. 

The 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 of its image as a “sin city” while reducing the number of tourists and rates of petty crime in the area.

Halsema 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 being made scapegoats for the criminals and crowds surrounding their neon-lit booths.

The mayor has long opposed the centuries-old red light district, known as De Wallen, where sex workers stand in windows waiting for customers.

The city council has remarked three possible sites for the erotic centre, which would have 100 rooms for sex workers. One sex worker, who identified herself as Lucie, dismissed the idea as “one big gentrification project”.

“It’s mainly about combating 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," Lucie expressed. 

In addition, the European Medicines Agency has been caught up in the controversy after it emerged that 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.

The relocation of the red light district is an attempt by Amsterdam to change its image as a party city because many tourists visit this country for sex and drugs. 

Mayor Halsema has long been known to oppose the entertainment district. To realize the plan, the local city government also launched a "stay away" campaign to reduce drunken tourists. The campaign drew criticism from the UK after Amsterdam targeted British men aged 18-35.