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Eliza Orlins

18 Dec, 11 tweets, 2 min read

Today's International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Lately we've seen public discourse about sex work, so let's discuss.

As a public defender for my entire career, I have always and will continue to advocate for the full decriminalization of consensual sex work. 1/9

We must decriminalize sex work in order to protect sex workers from police violence, help sex workers access health care, lower the risk of violence from clients, reduce mass incarceration, and advance equality in the LGBTQ community... 2/9

especially for trans women of color, who are often profiled and harassed whether or not they are actually sex workers.
3/9

Similar to other forms of prohibition, criminalizing sex work has been a long-running failure — making it harder for women and other marginalized people to come out from the shadows and into legal protection in situations of abuse, exploitation, and trafficking. 4/9

Sex work is work. Criminalizing this work stigmatizes and disproportionately targets people of color and trans women, who are already some of the most vulnerable members of our community. 5/9

It traps sex workers in poverty and makes them afraid to come forward to report abuse or other violent acts perpetrated against them.

Decriminalizing sex work is a necessary step we must take to make our city safer for everyone, including and especially the marginalized. 6/9

When people consensually work in the sex trade, they should be allowed to work free from fear of prosecution.
Our current system polices sex work and puts those workers in danger. These workers are often left to live in poverty. 7/9

Police carry out violence against them simply because of what they do.

By decriminalizing and destigmatizing sex work, we can lift our neighbors out of danger — so they no longer fear reporting if they’ve been attacked or going to a health clinic when they need care. 8/9

Furthermore, the End Demand/Nordic/Prohibitionist model makes sex workers less safe while still criminalizing someone’s job. We must fully decriminalize sex work. No exceptions. 9/end

I have already committed that as Manhattan District Attorney, I will decline to prosecute prostitution related offenses, unlicensed massage cases, and charges where those offenses have been used as a pretext for an arrest. 10/9

It is critical our next Manhattan DA is an ally to the SW community and is committed to listening to sex worker-led and survivor-centered organizations and what they advocate for. I will do just that.

I hope you'll support us in this mission. 11/9

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Eliza Orlins

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This evening marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, when we take a moment to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead. 1/
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Eliza Orlins

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8 Aug

I hope even Manhattan DA Cy Vance will agree that "megaphoning while Black" should not be considered a violent felony.

gothamist.com/news/protest-l…

Update: this case was written up by the Manhattan DA’s office as a violent felony. Assault in the 2nd degree carries a penalty of up to 7 years in state prison.

It’s my understanding that the case was reduced to a misdemeanor assault in the third degree, which carries a maximum sentence of one year jail. Though this is a reduction on the top charge, the stakes are still high and the prosecution demonstrates some important points.

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Eliza Orlins

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Six months ago, I’d never been a candidate for anything. I’d never even been part of a political campaign, except as a volunteer. I’d spent my time representing people as a public defender, not making political connections. 1/7

And, to be honest, when I started out I wasn’t entirely sure the usual political conversation was ready for the kind of change I know we need. 2/7

And I sure wouldn't have picked the start of a pandemic to launch a campaign. 3/7

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25 May

https://twitter.com/melodyMcooper/status/1264965252866641920

This is serious. Happened today in Manhattan. As a public defender for over a decade, I have tried cases where the Manhattan DA uses a "hysterical 911 call" as categorical evidence of guilt. Usually there's no video like this to refute it. (1/4)

https://twitter.com/melodyMcooper/status/1264965252866641920

What happens: White lady calls the cops on Black man. Cops believe her. He gets arrested and then arraigned. Outrageous bail gets set. His family cannot afford to buy his freedom. He gets sent to Rikers Island, where he sits for any number of days, months, or years. (2/4)

Eventually the case resolves in some way--gets dismissed or he takes a plea to the charge or a lesser offense to get out because he's threatened with doing serious time. Meanwhile, he's potentially lost his job, his home, his children. Right now, it is even worse. (3/4)

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Eliza Orlins

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30 Apr

Weeks ago: “...the simple truth is that the virus doesn’t care which side of the prison walls you happen to be on. The more people it spreads to the more people are in danger. Period. Full stop.” Now: Peopke are dying. Judges are dying. 1/x