COYOTE RI JULY 2024 NEWSLETTER
HAPPY JULY COYOTE SUPPORTERS
I
COYOTE ANNOUNCEMENTS
OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR INCARCERATED AND FORMERLY INCARCERATED WOMEN & GIRLS AND THE WALKER/HARDY FAMILY
With extremely heavy hearts, The National Council shares that we have lost Willie “Pop” Hardy and his wife Phyllis “Grandma” Hardy. Grandma our beloved matriarch, mentor, mother, sister, friend, aunt, grandmother, and more to all who had the privilege of knowing her. "Grandma" was known for her unwavering strength and determination to the end. Her passion for ending the incarceration of women and girls was unparalleled. She tirelessly communicated with hundreds of incarcerated women monthly, offering them help with information, hope, and support. Pops, presence, and dedication were instrumental in shaping the very fabric of The National Council's work.
Our Condolences to Bella Robinson’s family. Her younger sister Cindy was found dead by police conducting a welfare check on June 15th, 2024. She had been out of touch with friends for a few weeks, so the date of her death is uncertain. She was taken to a morgue where she would be autopsied and her daughter was told she'd get results from the coroner in a week or two. Bella’s niece is raising money for her mother's service and to clean out her mother's apartment. Those who want to donate, can use a cash app or Venmo and put “For Cindy” in the memo and COYOTE will ensure the donations get to Bella’s niece. $CoyoteRI2010 & Venmo- Bella-Robinson-13- Thank you
SEX WORK & FIRST AMENDMENT NEWS
Joey Torres was sentenced to 25 years in prison and 15 years of supervised release: Once the women were in New Jersey, Torres refused to pay them. When the victims asked for payment, Torres became aggressive, often assaulting and raping them Link
Karma is bitch Matt Gaetz, who voted yes on FOSTA HR1865 in 2018 Link
Numerous women interviewed in Rep. Matt Gaetz's DOJ sex trafficking investigation: Link
The Ethics Committee responded, denying Matt Gaetz’s lie Link
'If They Can Control the Flow of Information, They Can Control You': BASED Politics Sues To Stop TikTok Ban Link
Sentencing for veteran newspaperman Michael Lacey and two co-defendants in the Backpage case is less than a month away, scheduled for July 9 at 9:30 a.m. in Phoenix's federal court. Link
Biden DOJ Cuts Deal With Progressive Shelby County DA To Cease Prosecutions For Aggravated Prostitution In Shelby County Link
Esty to ban sale of most sex toys, explicit content, and more Link
The Myth of Argentine Yoga School Cult Link
Judge Tosses Biometric Data Suit Against X Link
Workers Work Magazine Features “Sex Work is Work” Link
Queer and Online: Undoing the Male Gaze in Erotic Content Creation Link
Parents, Not Lax Regulations, To Blame for Tweens, Excessive Screen Time Link
Woodhull Files Amicus Brief 6/18/24 Doe V Grindr Link
Los Angeles Will Pay $300,000 to Settle a Lawsuit Against Journalist Over Undercover Police Photos Link
Former Nashville Cop Arrested foir Appearing in OnlyFans Clip Link
Data Privacy Bill Markup Cancelled After House Leadership Opposition Link
Why librarians at Harvard and elsewhere are racing to save vintage porn Link
Rex Heuermann was charged with killing two more women Link
Apple is fixing a years-old parental control bug that lets kids avoid web filters Link
TikTok Accused by Utah of Profiting From Child Sex Trafficking Link
PRESS RELEASE: OPEN LETTER TO THE RI HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE & SPONSORS OF H7165A Link
Melbourne sex worker resolves “debanking” discrimination case over denied EFTPOS machine Link
Namibia high court overturns law banning gay sex. Link
THE WORLD IS WATCHING- FREE PALESTINE!
Boston: No Cops, No Corporations, No Pride in Genocide! Link
TAX-EXEMPT U.S. NONPROFITS FUEL ISRAELI SETTLER PUSH TO EVICT PALESTINIANS Link
COLUMBIA LAW REVIEW REFUSED TO TAKE DOWN ARTICLE ON PALESTINE, SO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS NUKED THE WHOLE WEBSITE Link
Israel Secretly Targets U.S. Lawmakers With Influence Campaign on Gaza War Link
George Clooney’s s wife, Amal Clooney, a prominent human rights lawyer, served on an advisory panel that helped conduct the court’s investigation, which resulted in warrant requests for Israel’s prime minister and defense minister and three senior Hamas leaders, accusing them of illegal conduct that has led to thousands of civilian deaths. Link
Israel Secretly Targets U.S. With Influence Campaign on Gaza War Link
ISRAEL’S NEW AIR WAR IN THE WEST BANK: NEARLY HALF OF THE DEAD ARE CHILDREN Link
APPLE MATCHES WORKER DONATIONS TO IDF AND ILLEGAL SETTLEMENTS, EMPLOYEES ALLEGE Link
Israeli Official Describes Secret Government Bid to Cement Control of West Bank Link
62 DEMOCRATS JOIN 207 REPUBLICANS IN VOTE TO CONCEAL GAZA DEATH TOLL. Link
COYOTE’S LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
You can follow the bills that COYOTE RI supports and opposes in 2024, here
Find your local legislator here
Immunity bill for sex workers, survivors & spa workers to report violent crimes. We support H7307 and Oppose H7165 & S2441, please sign the petition here and take the next steps here
PRESS RELEASE: OPEN LETTER TO THE RI HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE & SPONSORS OF H7165A Link
Alaska's Community United For Safety And Protection 2024 Legislative Check-In: The Bad Bill HB66 Link
We oppose the PROTECT Act Could Require Removal of All Existing Porn Online Link
CAMPAIGNS
Asian Spa Workers Should Be Able to Report Violence Without Arrest - Please sign the Petition- Next steps Link Please sign the petition in support of the RI H7307 & in Opposition of H7165 & S2441 Link and check out our Immunity Tool Kit @ http://bit.ly/3BH5QPC
More Campaigns Link
RESEARCH
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. Please participate in this short, 8-question survey. Link
Summary of 2022/2023 Anchorage Police Department Prostitution Records Request Link
COYOTES Immunity Tool Kit Link
“Prostitution and Prostitution Related Charges in Rhode Island 2000 - Present” link
COYOTE’s “Four Years of FOSTA Survey Report” link
“Policing Modern Day Slavery; Carceral Care in Rhode Island” [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 PROGRAM SERVICES
The COYOTE CLOSET provides clothing, hygiene items, and harm reduction supplies for over 150 street-based workers, and poor/houseless people every month. Please consider purchasing an item from our Amazon wishlist. 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. Debra Harris is the Outreach & Event Coordinator at Direct Action for Rights & equality ( DARE). We are thrilled to bring Debra aboard as COYOTE’s new Outreach Coordinator.
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 obtain 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 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 40: Meet Alex Andrews, Sex Worker, Activist, and Program Manager at SWOP Behind Bars Link
Sex workers & Survivors that would like to be interviewed please email, <communications@coyoteri.org>
UPCOMING EVENTS
COYOTE’s research director Tara Burns is also a member of the “Community United for Safety & Protection” in Alaska. They are hosting a fabulous summer series. Event times are in the Alaska time zone. Folks can join with this link.
COYOTE’s RESOURCE LIST
2023 RI Housing Factbook Link
RI Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Link
What is a “Driving Privilege Card” in Rhode Island and is it Safe? 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
Mutual Aid for California sex workers- Link
Sex Worker Implementation Tools - SWIT Guideline Link
Empower Today online library Link
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
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
Media Training for Advocacy by Free Speech Coalition Link
Stop The Raids, EFF Cyber Security Training Link
Why Unionize Link
Leadership and Media Training Materials Link
More Resources Link
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
RI Healthcare Monopoly — Brown and Lifespan Announce Deal and CharterCARE’s Fate Is Unknown. According to the parties, a $15 million to $25 million annual investment from Brown to Lifespan, totaling $150 million over seven years, will be devoted to "strengthening Lifespan’s financial capacity to sustain and advance the shared academic mission of the two organizations." Following that period, Lifespan will invest $15 million annually to support the Warren Alpert Medical School’s education and research efforts. It is unclear why one entity is paying the other, and then the two roles are being reversed. Link
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
IN THE LOCAL NEWS
Anti-LGBTQ extremist group sending RI Senators to D.C. for training. Link
The case for reforming incarceration in Rhode Island, with one of the lowest incarceration rates in the United States, would rank 27th in the world. Link
50 YEARS AFTER BUSING DECISION, A SCHOOL SYSTEM STILL UNEQUAL, STILL SEGREGATED Link
Supreme Court strikes down opioid settlement that would have brought $110 million to Mass. Link
The latest twist in Providence’s charter school saga Link
Urgent support is needed for the "George Floyd Litmus Test" amendment Link
While we were all sleeping the legislative session came to a close early this morning. Link
Nearly-$14B budget plan breezes through Rhode Island House on 69-5 vote Friday Link
While we were all sleeping the legislative session came to a close early this morning. Link
DCYF asks for 'pause' in building of addition at St. Mary's Home for Children Link
Addressing urgency: 20 RI nonprofits receive $1.3 million to help with opioid crisis Link
DEM Announces Decision on City of Pawtucket's Application to Convert the use of Protected Recreational Sites, seeks Guidance from National Park Service on Morley Field Link
Linn Health is a community treasure that must remain open Link
Little Rhode Farms will have to retrofit his entire operation to comply with the law and can't get a loan to cover costs ranging from $1 million to $1.6 million with avian flu spreading across the country. Link
RI Senate overwhelmingly approves Salisbury as DOC director Link
The Pine Tree Flag is popping up on the desks of RI Senators. What does it mean? Link$$
Black Lives Matter RI PAC 2nd Annual Juneteenth Awards Ceremony Link
Providence's fifth annual Dyke Trans People of Color [DTPOC] March Link
Mayor Smiley is intensifying his war on unhoused people Link
Dispersed encampments and a new street drug are killing people in Providence Link
Unhoused people and advocates march to Providence City Hall and State House Link
With new investments and affiliation agreements, Lifespan to become Brown University Health Link
Rhode Island Governor McKee signed H 7625/ S2255 into law, removing insurance barriers like prior authorization and cost-sharing for PEP and PrEP – including long-acting injectable PrEP – eliminating wait times, patient billing, and insurance denials for these powerful preventatives
R.I. Senator Miller won’t seek re-election, after 18 years in office Link
How lobbyists, unlikely allies and hundreds of emails led to RI passing a bill to legalize kratom Link
RI Coalition to End Homelessness releases results of the 2024 Point in Time Count Link
RI State Police investigating inmate death at ACI Link
IN THE NATIONAL NEWS
Divided Supreme Court rules in major homelessness case that outdoor sleeping bans are OK Link
The US Supreme Court sided with criminal defendants saying juries, not judges, must decide certain facts about whether a person is a habitual offender qualifying for a tougher sentence Link
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO CAUGHT ON SECRET AUDIO Link
The white supremacy strategy at the core of Trump's plans for a second term Link
Supreme Court Upholds Law Disarming Domestic Abusers Link
The Ten Commandments must be displayed in Louisiana classrooms under requirement signed into law Link
Fontana pays nearly $900,000 for ‘psychological torture’ inflicted by police to get false confession Link
Musk accused of improperly selling $7.5 billion in Tesla stock before weak sales report that crashed its price Link
Their Christian Nationalist Danger Behind the ‘Appeal to Heaven’ Flag Link
Hunter biden Convicted of 3 Felonies in Federal Gun Trial. Link
Statement by The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls on Hunter Biden’s Conviction Link
An officer sexually abused a teen in his police car. How will he be punished? Link
Trump spiritual advisor admits to sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl Link
The IRS wants to end another major tax loophole for the wealthy and raise $50 billion in the process Link
Putin and Kim Sign Pact Pledging Mutual Support Against ‘Aggression’ Link
Supreme Court Clarifies Expert Testimony Rule in Drug Case. Experts can testify broadly on criminal intent. Link
Four civil liberties groups will sue the state of Louisiana after Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed a law Wednesday that calls for the Ten Commandments to be displayed in school classrooms. Link
Teacher in N.H. fired for secretly helping pregnant student access abortion services Link
Former Kentucky Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced For Abusing Arrestees.Link
Justices send expert witness question back to state court Link
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange stops in Bangkok on his way to a US court and later freedom Link
Supreme Court to review ban on gender-affirming care for minors: Twenty-five states have passed bans on gender-affirming care. Link
Federal judge approves $10M settlement for Las Vegas student struck by teacher LINK
Justices Limit Power of Federal Agencies, Imperiling an Array of Regulations Link
Supreme Court makes it harder to charge Jan. 6 riot defendants with obstruction, the same charge Trump faces Link
A Georgia county’s denial of health plan coverage for a sheriff deputy’s gender-affirming surgery was illegal discrimination under federal law, the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled. 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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