October 20, 2023
Amsterdam’s sex workers marched through the city center on Thursday to protest plans to move the famed red light district to an out-of-town “erotic centre.” The protesters, many wearing masks to shield their identity, chanted slogans such as “Sex workers are not to blame!” and “If sex workers are not to blame, then why are we being punished?”
Dozens of sex workers, carrying banners and voicing their concerns, marched towards City Hall, with one banner reading, “If sex workers are not to blame, then why are we being punished?” This protest is a response to Mayor Femke Halsema’s proposal to move the red light district to a purpose-built location, with the aim of shedding Amsterdam’s image as a “sin city” while reducing the influx of tourists and curbing petty crimes in the area.
However, Mayor Halsema faces opposition from not only the sex workers but also local residents who don’t want the new “erotic center” in their neighborhood. Sex workers argue that they are unfairly being scapegoated for the criminal activity and overcrowding that surrounds their neon-lit booths.
The red light district, known as De Wallen, has been a centuries-old fixture in Amsterdam, with its iconic neon-lined windows in canal-side houses where sex workers wait for customers. The city council has earmarked three potential locations for the erotic center, which would offer 100 rooms for sex workers.
One sex worker, who identified herself as Lucie, dismissed the idea as “one big gentrification project,” asserting, “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.”
Even the European Medicines Agency (EMA) became embroiled in the controversy when it was revealed that one of the potential sites for the erotic center was near its headquarters. The EMA expressed concern, stating that it could affect the safety of employees working late at the office.
More than 20,000 people have signed a petition against the relocation of the red light district. They are calling for better crowd control in the area and increased police surveillance, particularly at night.
Mariska Majoor, a former sex worker turned advocate for sex workers’ rights, revealed that protests against moving the district have been ongoing for 16 years, with the city’s stance shifting over time. “The authorities had a plan to reduce part of the brothels already in 2007. Then it was because of the fight against people trafficking and abuse, and now it’s about the fight against mass tourism,” she told AFP.
The decision to move the red light district is part of Amsterdam’s broader efforts to transform its image from a party capital. The city has also launched a “stay away” campaign to discourage stag nights and inebriated tourists, which generated controversy in Britain after the council mentioned its intention to target British men aged 18-35.
The protest also attracted residents from out-of-town areas who are concerned about the prospect of living next to the new “erotic center.” Cynthia Cournuejouls, a 42-year-old mother living to the south of the city, voiced her opinion, saying, “We don’t want the biggest brothel in Europe in our neighborhood. We just don’t want it. We want to keep it here.”
The city government has said that the move is necessary to reduce crime and nuisance behavior in the red light district, which has become increasingly popular with tourists in recent years. However, sex workers argue that the move will only make them more vulnerable and will push the sex trade underground.
“We are being displaced from our homes and our workplaces,” said one protester, who identified herself as “Red Rose.” “We are being stigmatized and criminalized. This is not what Amsterdam is supposed to be about.”
The protest comes as the city council is set to vote on the proposal to move the red light district. The council is expected to approve the proposal, but sex workers have vowed to continue their fight.
“We are not going to give up without a fight,” said Red Rose. “This is our city, and we have the right to work here.”
The controversy over the red light district is part of a larger debate about the future of Amsterdam. The city has become increasingly popular with tourists in recent years, and some residents are concerned that the city is losing its soul. The city government is trying to balance the needs of tourists with the needs of residents, but it is a difficult task.
The proposed move of the red light district is seen by some as a sign that the city is trying to cater to tourists at the expense of residents. Sex workers argue that they are being pushed out of the city center in order to make way for more hotels and restaurants.
The city government has denied that this is the case. They say that the move is necessary to improve the quality of life for all residents, including sex workers.
However, sex workers are skeptical of these claims. They say that the city government is only interested in making money from tourism, and that they don’t care about the welfare of sex workers.
The protest on Thursday is a sign that sex workers are not going to let the city government push them around. They are determined to fight for their right to work in the city center and to be treated with dignity and respect.
As the debate continues, Amsterdam remains a city at odds with itself, grappling with questions of identity, culture, and the future of its historic red light district.
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