On Tuesday, a rally was held in the district of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the Squad, and immigrant and sex worker advocacy groups called on police to investigate illegal prostitution and sales operations in the area. He plans to demand an end to the crackdown.
The roughly two-mile stretch along Roosevelt Avenue in immigrant-heavy areas of Elmhurst, North Corona, and Jackson Heights in Queens became known as the “red light” district. Part of that includes Cortez's 14th District. Clothed immigrant prostitutes seek sex day and night. Illegal street vendors block sidewalks and cook hot food outdoors, while others push out everything from used clothes to pots and pans and tools.
Some residents have likened the city to a “third world” country and have repeatedly called for the city to take action against the ongoing crisis.
Prostitutes rampant in AOC's 'red light' district, locals blame MIA 'squad' members
Prostitutes line the streets of Queens, New York. (Michael Dorgan/Fox News Digital)
New York City Mayor Eric Adams last week launched Operation Restore Roosevelt, which aims to crack down on fraud and restore law and order to business districts over the next 90 days.
But the crackdown is opposed by groups such as Make the Road New York, an advocacy group for illegal and legal immigrants. DecrimNY aims to decriminalize sex work. and Red Canary Song, which champions immigrant massage and sex workers.
These groups plan to hold a rally later today at Corona Plaza in the Cortez neighborhood to protest Operation Roosevelt Restore, which they call “the harmful policing initiative initiated by Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams.”
Make the Road New York says, “The increased police force violently targets the most vulnerable in our communities, including immigrants, transgender people, and working-class people of color, many of whom are They are street vendors and engage in sex work to survive.” press release.
NYPD state troopers rush to AOC's 'red light' district to crack down on rampant prostitution and crime
The district of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is plagued by illegal prostitutes who line the streets day and night and brazenly solicit passersby for sex. (Left to right: Courtesy of Ramses Frias | Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images | Sarah Stier/Getty Images for QBFC)
“These actions appear to be a political stunt by Mayor Adams to distract attention from his recent indictments. Once again he is using the New York City community as a scapegoat for his own failures. Adams and Hochul are Instead of addressing the real problems in the district, we are focusing on the next thing.'' Harmful and ineffective enforcement is occurring and an unjust system is being maintained. ”
Organizers said local residents will share personal stories and demand the immediate removal of National Guard and local forces. They will call on New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Adams to “prioritize support for sex workers and street vendors and invest in community-based solutions that ensure opportunities for growth for everyone.” is.
Some of the neighbors are represented by Rep. Grace Meng, D.N.Y. Fox News Digital reached out to both stations for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
Attention: Local activist Curtis Sliwa blasts rampant prostitution on New York City streets in AOC District:
Last month, Fox News digital cameras recorded a line of more than 19 alleged sex workers on a one-block sidewalk along Roosevelt Avenue. There were at least seven other people around the corner, and on the next block a woman was seen offering sex for $60. Fox News Digital also recorded alleged sex workers and their customers leaving a well-known brothel that was raided the night before and again last week.
The area, known to locals as “Lover's Boulevard”, has become a hub of vice, with parents alarmed by sex workers operating out in the open near schools and a local taekwondo centre. It's ringing.
“We will end sex trafficking in this region. We are not here for just one day. We are here to solve the problem,” Adams said last week. He said this at a press conference announcing the strategy, surrounded by New York City Police Department leaders. , including NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry. Democratic City Councilman Francisco Moya also attended.
WATCH: Police raid leaves New York brothel with alleged sex workers 24 hours after raid:
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Adams said the reinforced garrison consists of nine lieutenants, 42 sergeants and 176 police officers, bringing together more than a dozen city agencies and state troopers.
DecrimNY said in an Instagram post that the police crackdown was “unjust and unacceptable” and was a violent act targeting “non-citizens, transgender people, people of color, street vendors,” and sex workers.
“We demand the withdrawal of National Guard and local forces from Jackson Heights, North Carolina, and Elmhurst, and we call for substantial investments in housing, health care, and safety, not criminalization.”
