#88 – Petition for Hearing En Banc[1] Petition for rehearing before full Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals pdf Jan. 31 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2.1.2018
Contact: Maxine Doogan
415-265-3302, info(AT)esplerp.org
Sex Workers To Continue Challenge Of Prostitution Laws In Ninth Circuit
ESPLERP Files For A Rehearing Before Full Ninth Circuit To Continue Fight For Sexual Privacy
San Francisco, CA – Today, the Erotic Service Providers Legal Education Research Project (ESPLERP) announced that it has filed a petition in the Ninth Circuit for a rehearing “en banc” (before an eleven judge panel) asking the court to reconsider the dismissal of ESPLERP v Gascon [case #16-15927], which challenged California’s anti-prostitution law Penal Code 647(b) on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.
“We simply have to ask for a rehearing”, said Maxine Doogan, President of ESPLERP. “This is a ground-breaking case that seeks to protect sexual privacy for everyone – and we are going to leave no stone unturned in seeking justice and our constitutional rights.”
“We’re disappointed that the Ninth Circuit missed the opportunity to declare, with certainty, that the Constitution protects the right of consenting adults to engage in private sexual activity, even if they are paying for it or getting paid” said Louis Sirkin, ESPLERP’s lead lawyer, and one of the nation’s preeminent First Amendment and criminal defense attorneys. “We’re mindful that, in our nation’s history, other constitutional issues have taken a persistent and continuing effort until the courts get it right. This is an important issue that affects all Americans, and it deserves further consideration by the courts.”
ESPLERP’s court case is mostly funded by individuals making small contributions, but our opponents (the State of California and various District Attorneys) have very deep pockets – essentially using our taxpayer dollars to deny us our rights. Contributions to support the court case can be submitted through our crowd fundraiser – www.litigatetoemancipate.com.
The Erotic Service Providers Legal, Education and Research Project (ESPLERP) is a diverse community-based coalition advancing sexual privacy rights through litigation, education, and research.
Erotic Service Providers Legal, Education and Research Project (ESPLERP)
2261 Market St. #548 San Francisco, CA 94114
esplerp(D O T )org, decriminalizesexwork.com
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