Tell the LAPD: Investigate Sex Trafficking at Club 907, Don't Arrest Victims

Tell the LAPD: Investigate Sex Trafficking at Club 907, Don't Arrest Victims

The Issue

Update 1/20/11: The arrested women have finally been released, but some still face immigration proceedings, and no action has yet been taken against Club 907 over its use of trafficked women.

At Club 907,  an L.A. "hostess club," men pay thirty bucks and hour for the "companionship" of immigrant women — many of whom, it appears, have been illegally trafficked here for forced labor and sex work.

In a recent raid of Club 907, a clear brothel front, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) busted in on suspicion of shady behavior. Of the 88 arrested that night, 81 of them were women — 59 of whom were arrested for possessing false identification (ie, for being undocumented). But despite their textbook trafficking profile, no one on the LAPD is looking into whether these women have been trafficked.

Sign this petition to demand that LAPD further investigate the potential trafficking of arrestees from Club 907, and that from here on out they require police officers to attend extensive training on human trafficking risks. That way they can target the criminals instead of the victims.

Photo Credit: 888bailbond

avatar of the starter
L MPetition StarterI live in my native Bay Area where I am a writer, educator and immigrant rights advocate. I currently work for Refugee Transitions and the Oakland Unified School District, supporting newcomer youth and parents to access the educational services they need during their transition to life in the U.S. I have also worked with immigrant and other vulnerable populations in Uganda and El Salvador. I am studying creative writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts and believe in writing as a tool for learning, healing, growth and social change.
This petition had 5,625 supporters

The Issue

Update 1/20/11: The arrested women have finally been released, but some still face immigration proceedings, and no action has yet been taken against Club 907 over its use of trafficked women.

At Club 907,  an L.A. "hostess club," men pay thirty bucks and hour for the "companionship" of immigrant women — many of whom, it appears, have been illegally trafficked here for forced labor and sex work.

In a recent raid of Club 907, a clear brothel front, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) busted in on suspicion of shady behavior. Of the 88 arrested that night, 81 of them were women — 59 of whom were arrested for possessing false identification (ie, for being undocumented). But despite their textbook trafficking profile, no one on the LAPD is looking into whether these women have been trafficked.

Sign this petition to demand that LAPD further investigate the potential trafficking of arrestees from Club 907, and that from here on out they require police officers to attend extensive training on human trafficking risks. That way they can target the criminals instead of the victims.

Photo Credit: 888bailbond

avatar of the starter
L MPetition StarterI live in my native Bay Area where I am a writer, educator and immigrant rights advocate. I currently work for Refugee Transitions and the Oakland Unified School District, supporting newcomer youth and parents to access the educational services they need during their transition to life in the U.S. I have also worked with immigrant and other vulnerable populations in Uganda and El Salvador. I am studying creative writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts and believe in writing as a tool for learning, healing, growth and social change.

The Decision Makers

Charlie Beck
Charlie Beck
Chief of Police, LAPD

Petition Updates