COYOTE RI JANUARY 2024 NEWSLETTER
HAPPY JANUARY COYOTE SUPPORTERS
HAPPY NEW YEARS!
COMMERCIAL SEX WORK & FIRST AMENDMENT NEWS
Are you a survivor of #JoeyThePlayer? Raise your voice and submit a Victim Impact Statement by February 1st, 2023 to: HONORABLE JUDGE MARTINOTTI C/O AUSA SHAWN BARNES 970 BROAD STREET # 806 NEWARK, NJ 07102 Link
The Backpage Defendants Never Stood a Chance Link
Backpage Defendants: Prosecutorial Misconduct Demands Acquittal or New Trial Link
Ohio Vice Cop Who Got Away With Killing Sex Worker & Then Pleads Guilty in Kidnapping Case Link
“Merseyside Police treat violence against sex workers as a hate crime, and this result shows that violence against women and girls will simply not be tolerated, whatever the circumstances. Link
Landmark UN Report Calls for Sex Work Decriminalization Link
Victoria Von Helkine is an Adult entertainer and model who was falsely convicted of murder Link
Here’s what happened when an OnlyFans star booked a stadium for a party Link
The Global Fight Against Violence Targeting Sex Workers Link
The Tale of Priceless – Where does the money go in a well-funded church organization that was supposed to be providing services for sex trafficking victims Link
The first successful prosecution of a stealthing case involved a client stealthing a sex worker Link
Spain to Require Digital ID for Adults to Access Online Porn Link
As LA City Attorney targets the Figueroa Corridor, where will sex workers go? Link
A Killer Cop and International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers Link
SWOP Behind Bars Holiday Recipe Roundup Link
OnlyFans model arrested for using the platform in a country where it’s banned (Turkey) Link
Sisters in support: Decriminalizing sex work from inside Kampala brothels Link
Sex worker advocate Priscilla Alexander dies Link
Pornhub’s parent company admits it profited from sex trafficking Link
Former Pasco police officer found guilty of 1986 murder of a sex worker in Spokane Link
UW La Crosse chancellor was fired for doing porn. Can you be fired for doing legal things? Link
New anti-drag laws were deemed unconstitutional in every state where they were challenged this year. Link
COYOTE PROGRAM SERVICES
The COYOTE CLOSET provides clothing, hygiene items, and harm reduction supplies for over 150 street-based workers, and poor/homeless people per month. Our closet is almost bare. We need toothpaste, deodorant, gloves, and handwarmer, to make outreach packages for January. Please consider purchasing an item from our Amazon wishlist. Also please consider cleaning out your closets and donating your old clothes. (Contact Bella at 401-525-8757 to schedule drop off/ pick up for clothing donations) Thank you.
COYOTE’s outreach team will be at Kennedy Plaza- Burnside Park every Friday from noon to 1 p.m. (WEATHER PERMITTING) We will be handing out female hygiene products, hygiene packages, naloxone, condoms, bottles of water & snacks for anyone who is in need. #reimaginingcommunities
Thank you, Lindsey, Sammie, Day, and the rest of our weekly outreach team.
COYOTEs “Health and Safety Education Specialist, Lindsey Berry facilitates our re-entry empowerment program for the women at the RI ACI every week. COYOTE RI is now providing case management to assist the women in getting copies of their birth certificates and social security cards, which are required to get their state ID. Without a state ID, they can not get a job or apply for SNAP, Medicaid, and other public services. We are also providing the women being released from the RI ACI with a 100 Savers Gift Card for clothing and a 100 Stop & Shop gift card for food and household items. We are also assisting many of them in accessing sober houses & safe housing. #creatingcommunity
“Healing Hustlers” is an online weekly support group for sex workers and survivors.
Sister 2 Sister, is a weekly online support group for Formerly Incarcerated Women to find resources & community by COYOTE RI & Once Incarcerated Anonymous. Thank you LaResse Harvey for facilitating this support group.
COYOTE RI SEX WORKER STORYTELLING PODCAST
Episode 34: Meet Antonia Crane: A sex worker for nearly 30 years who is also an author and activist! Link Sex workers, former sex workers, and trafficking Survivors who would like to be interviewed please email, <communications@coyoteri.org>
UPCOMING EVENTS
Save the Date!
February 3rd-5th, 2024 Stop the Raids Super Bowl LVIII Link. Organizations and individuals interested in participating in the action to stop harmful law enforcement raids ahead of the Las Vegas Super Bowl 2024 should contact info@esplerp.org
The FreeHer March/Rally 2024, will take place on April 24, 2024, in DC. It is the 10th anniversary of the first FreeHer Rally, which took place in 2014. The purpose of this national march and rally is to uplift the national FreeHer campaign to end the incarceration of women and girls and shift resources currently spent on women's jails and prisons, to investment in Reimagining Communities and what different looks like for addressing poverty, mental illness, lack of educational resources, and lack of housing. We are marching to encourage President Biden and state governors to exercise their clemency power to release women who are aging, elderly, terminally ill, long-timers, and incarcerated women who are Survived and Punished. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help get 1,000 women to DC for the 2024 FreeHer March/Rally Link
COYOTE’S LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
You can follow the bills that COYOTE RI supported and opposed in 2023, here
Find your local legislator here
Support for S.1723 Truth and Healing Commission Link
Fight for Drug Policy Based in Fact, Not Fear: Support the TEST Act. Tell your Senators to support this new bill to find new solutions that will save lives! Link
RESEARCH
ATTENTION US SEX WORKERS & SURVIVORS:
COYOTE is collecting stories to support a bill for immunity for sex workers and sex trafficking survivors reporting violent crimes to police. Surveys are a way that we can bring the voices of criminalized people who would rather remain anonymous to lawmakers. If you are a sex worker, former sex worker or survivor, please participate in this short, 8-question survey. Link
PRIOR RESEARCH
COYOTE’s Immunity Tool Kit Link
“Prostitution and Prostitution Related Charges in Rhode Island 2000 - Present” link
“Policing Modern Day Slavery; Carceral Care in Rhode Island” [link].
COYOTE’s “Four Years of FOSTA Survey Report” link
ESPLERPS 2023 Report "Californians for Privacy: How the War on Sex Work Is Stripping Your Privacy Rights." Link
The Double-Edged Sword of Health and Safety: COVID-19 and the Policing and Exclusion of Migrant Asian Massage Workers in North America Link
Editorial: Gains and Challenges in the Global Movement for Sex Workers’ Rights Link
Shadow Report Committee on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Optional Protocols July 12th Meeting with the United States State Department. Link
COYOTE’s RESOURCE LIST
2023 RI Housing Factbook Link
What is a “Driving Privilege Card” in Rhode Island and is it Safe? Link
Eviction Prevention Rhode Island (EPRI) Starts June 2023 Link
RI ACLU advocacy101 link
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: FAIR CHANCE LICENSING Link
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: BAN THE BOX Link
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: STUDENTS AND TECHNOLOGY via RI ACLU link
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: STUDENTS AND TRUANCY COURT via RI ACLU - link
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER ARREST? Link
Also, see- ACLU Death By Incarceration.
Free Tablets & Phones for Those on Snap or Medicaid Link
Guide to Abortion Privacy- Digital Defense Fund link
Digital Security and Privacy Tips for Those Involved in Abortion Access link
Need an abortion? Depending on where you live, they can offer you different service options. Link
FREE Anti Racism Workshops link
Let's Talk About Self-Harm Link
Credit score Facts vs. myths: 5 Things to Know Link
Anonymous (OIA) in CT OIA Housing Ambassador Program pdf
The Unspoken Complexity of “Self-Care” link
SEX WORKER & LGBT RESOURCES
Making Incarcerated Sex Workers our Priority: Calls for penpals! Help us write letters to incarcerated sex workers! Penpalling is an easy and effective way to show support and solidarity for sex workers. We are currently providing case management to over 100 incarcerated sex workers. For more information email info@coyoteri.org or apply for a penpal with SWOP Behind Bars Link
Sign up to host a penpal party with SWOP Behind Bars Link
Ramona created a video with tips for being a penpal.
Also, see SWOP Behind Bars' new video on “How to get Identification Documents after being Incarcerated”
SWOP Behind Bars Quick Start Guide to Writing Incarcerated People Link
You've Got (Jail) Mail! Link
Midwest Rainbow News, Incarcerated LGBTQ People Link
Also check out our sister organization: Once Incarcerated
Guide to Hiring Sex Workers and Survivors Link
More Resources Link
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
COVID UPDATES Link
CDC Respiratory Virus Updates Link
MONKEYPOX UPDATES Link
POLIO UPDATES Link
REPRODUCTIVE/ABORTION RIGHTS UPDATES Link
PUBLIC HEALTH NEWS (updated monthly) Link
CAMPAIGNS
Please sign the petition in support of the RI H6064 Link and check out our Immunity Tool Kit @ http://bit.ly/3BH5QPC
URGENT CALL TO ACTION: Please sign this petition: Save 3,000 from Unjust Incarceration Link
TELL CONGRESS to say NO TO BAD INTERNET BILLS Please sign the petition Link
Please sign the ACLU’s Petition “ MASTERCARD: SEX WORK IS WORK. END YOUR UNJUST POLICY”
Tell the Senate: the Solution to Kids’ Privacy Isn’t More Surveillance. Take action here
Demand politicians vote against this harmful Bill that seeks to criminalize the purchase of sexual services in South Australia Link
TEST Act of 2023! Fight for Drug Policy Based in Fact, Not Fear: Support the TEST Act. Tell your Senators to support this new bill to find new solutions that will save lives! Link Sign-on Letter Urging Senate to Cosponsor the Temporary Emergency Scheduling and Testing of Fentanyl Analogues Act of 2023 (TEST Act) Link For more information email mperez@drugpolicy.org
Please sign the petition “No Penobscot County Jail Expansion” Link
Stop Bill S-224: Stop harmful amendments to the human trafficking offense- Please Sign the Petition Link
Tell Congress to stop using TikTok to drive fear and war toward China! Sign the petition Link
Sign the Petition! Federal Prison Sentencing Reform link
Sign the petition: Say no to a national 30% sales tax. link
Another domestic sex trafficking victim who is a minor was charged, while her abusers were not arrested. Please sign the petition link
Send a Letter: Tell your Congressperson to sign on to the demand for clemency now! #FreeHer
Please sign this petition “Clemency Works RI
Please join us in ensuring eligible voters impacted by incarceration access their right to vote! Petition
Please, sign this petition. Tell Congress to fix Supplemental Security Income to fight poverty. Link
IN THE LOCAL NEWS
A perfect storm: RI homelessness soared 70% over the past four years, federal data shows Link
North Providence Town Council will decide the fate of a tent encampment. Merry Christmas. When you are unhoused, sometimes being noticed is worse than being ignored. Link
Fund Transit, Save RIPTA, Says New Coalition Link
Sabotaging the Future: Environmental, scientific, and labor leaders ask for lawsuit to be withdrawn against wind project Link
State treasurer suspended top cannabis regulator after she allegedly made racist remarks Link
As poverty soars to record levels, Providence celebrates the holiday season Link
"We don't need a warrant. You live in a tent." Providence Police violated the civil rights of unhoused people this morning. Link
Rhode Island's AG, seen as likely contender for governor in '26, toils over health care plan Link
Still no answers from Smiley Administration on police officers violating unhoused people's rights Link
Rhode Island Free Clinic provides essential dental care to thousands of uninsured adults Link
Disabled, sick with cancer, and being evicted while unhoused. Cranston Police gave Bobby and Kate until Wednesday to leave their encampment. Link
Forty-one students begin second sit-in at University Hall, demand divestment Link
Downtown Providence Starbucks becomes first in Rhode Island to unionize Link
JVP-Rhode Island: RI Congressional delegation represents the Israel lobby and weapons industry, not constituents Link
Court sides with town in a decades-old dispute over mining, earth removal in North Smithfield Link
Oped: Washington Bridge response reveals authoritarianism and skewed priorities Link
Riders question the proposed new bus hub location on I-195 land. The troubled efforts to move Rhode Island's main transit hub continue, despite concerns from riders Link
The RI Heritage Hall of Fame voted to induct Gen. Michael Flynn. Now, members are resigning. Link
POWR names and shames the top holiday evictors in Providence Link
RI Pay for Success program seeks to reduce persistent homelessness Link
Judge says DeSantis spread false information while pushing trans health care restrictions Link
Boston-area police Lt. James Feeley charged with rape of a child under 14 Link
IN THE NATIONAL NEWS
I Calculated How Much of My Money the U.S. Sent to Kill Palestinians. You Can Too. As Americans, our money is paying for Israel’s atrocities in Gaza. How much did you give? Link
Moms for Liberty leader turns out to be a convicted sex offender Link
In-sane. "The Texas Supreme Court has paused a judge's decision to temporarily block the state from enforcing its strict abortion ban in the case of a woman who is seeking to terminate a pregnancy in which her fetus has a fatal diagnosis." Link
Texas Troopers Killed 74 People in Vehicle Chases Since Implementing Controversial Border Program Link
Midnight Highway: What I Didn't Say About the Fort Hood Deaths Link
Texas Supreme Court considers abortion challenge Link
A Los Angeles Jail Let a Woman Die of Withdrawal, Then a Coroner Allowed Her Body To Decompose Link
Retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, has died Link
Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress on bipartisan vote Link
“Lower East side residents of the late-1800s and early-1900s would be surprised, and some bemused, to discover that their apartments had been converted into museum space.” Link
I Faced Death by Incarceration. The UN Heard My Plea to Abolish Life Sentences. Link
Henry Kissinger, MONSTER Of Monsters, Dies At Age 100 Link
The consequences of US warmongers Link
CHLP Made the Call and the DOJ Answered Link
It's the Government's Business Whether You Invest in Chinese Companies Link
Fix the Border Crisis by Making Legal Immigration Easier Lin
Militant Rocket Hit Base Linked to Israeli Nuclear Missile Program Link
Some who took out parent PLUS loans to send their kids to college expect to die with debt Link
US Senate confirms first Latina to conservative-majority 5th Circuit Link
South Korea: Court upholds police officer's suspension for 'barmaid' comment:Over 1 in 5 civil servants punished for sexual violence in the past five years were police officials. Link
Taking Refuge: Transgender Newcomers Find Safety, Services and, Community in Vermont Link
Prosecutors Agree He Shot a Man in Self-Defense. They're Still Trying To Put Him in Prison. Link
MPD officer sentenced to 32 years in prison for child sex abuse on a 9-year-old Link
House Proposal Would Expand Federal Warrantless Spying Authority Link
Woman Claims Newcastle Hospital Tried To Have Her Involuntarily Committed For Whistleblowing Link
The Supreme Court will rule on limits on a commonly used abortion medication Link
Island County Sheriff's sergeant accused of raping 2 women resigns Link
Supreme Court Upholds State Bans on Conversion Therapy, Rejecting Washington Challenge Link
Abortion Rights Activists in Florida have managed to get the needed amount of signatures to get abortion rights on the Nov 2024 ballot!! Link
Dozens of Texas businesses back challenge to abortion ban: Fifty-one businesses have signed onto an amicus brief. Link
Rudy Giuliani ordered to pay $148M to Georgia poll workers Link
FDA May Review MDMA for the Treatment of PTSD Link
With a new COVID variant on the horizon, low vaccination rates and stark disparities could make for a ‘miserable winter’ Link
NYC City Council limits criminal background checks for tenants Link
Biden pardons marijuana use nationwide. Here's what that means for people with convictions Link
Florida Sex Scandal Shakes Moms for Liberty, as Group’s Influence Wanes Link
A Forgotten Chapter of Abortion History Repeats Itself Link
Sentencing Commission Again Proposes Restricting Judges' Use of Acquitted Conduct Link
A Spanish company and the CIA were found guilty of violating the rights of Julian Assange’s visitors Link
A little girl learns a Christmas lesson about the Fifth Amendment. Link
Here is How You Can Support COYOTE RI! If you’d like to schedule a meeting with COYOTE RI, email <info@coyoteri.org> You can also use the above email if you want to volunteer to get involved with COYOTE RI. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to COYOTE RI with our AB Charities link, or, also consider purchasing an item off our Amazon wish list for outreach supplies. Thank you in advance for your support!
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