Sex workers in Amsterdam have protested against the planned 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.
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?”
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.
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 being made 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, where sex workers stand in windows waiting for customers.
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 to 35.
The original article contains 491 words, the summary contains 213 words. Saved 57%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Sex workers in Amsterdam have protested against the planned 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.
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?”
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.
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 being made 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, where sex workers stand in windows waiting for customers.
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 to 35.
The original article contains 491 words, the summary contains 213 words. Saved 57%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!