@cybertease_ took their banner to the Women’s and Sex/Work Strike for International Women’s Day 🌹 📷 @bexwade ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Here’s a statement from Cybertease from a @queerhouseparty post, about the symbolism of the red umbrella: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “The red umbrella has become an international icon of the sex workers rights movement, symbolising protection from stigma and intolerance, collectively we hold our umbrellas high in resistance to systemic moral, political, and social opression. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The red umbrella was first raised as a symbol of sex workers’ solidarity during the 49th Venice Biennale in 2001 during a march through the city led by activist Daniela Mannu and organised by the Committee for the Civil Rights of Prostitutes (CDCP). The performance and protest culminated at the "prostitute pavilion" which housed CODE: RED an installation by Slovenian artist Tadej Pogačar. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ From its inception the red umbrella brought together sex workers in an act of both art making and activism. Through our installation we invited you to dance, prance, and politicise under a canopy of red umbrellas, symbolising the strength, comradeship, and creative potential of the sex worker community. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ On March 8th at 18:00 sex workers from across the UK will be protesting at Leicester Square, demanding freedom from the threat of physical and state violence. Our umbrellas will be there, held by members of our community taking the artwork from the nightclub into the streets as we fight for the rights and resources we deserve.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photographed here by @bexwade who’s work currently features in the @fourcornerse2 exhibition ‘Resistance through a Feminist Lense’ until 1st May.