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A sexy outfit can get you arrested in Phoenix — especially if you’re Black or trans (www.phoenixnewtimes.com)
submitted 1 year ago by gAlienLifeform@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world
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In January, a 23-year-old woman sat in Phoenix Municipal Court listening to a prosecutor lay out the evidence against her. On the night of her arrest, she was scantily dressed, the prosecutor told the judge. She also had condoms in her purse and got into a car with a man.

In Phoenix, that was enough to charge her with a crime.

“Given the way the defendant was dressed, as well as a statement as to a date, and her getting in the vehicle with this witness — there is evidence of manifesting prostitution," a prosecutor told Municipal Court Judge Alex Navidad.

Or, more specifically, “manifesting an intent to commit or solicit an act of prostitution.” An obscure city ordinance in Phoenix makes this act a crime with a mandatory sentence of at least 15 days in jail.

The woman, whose name Phoenix New Times is withholding to protect her privacy, is one of more than 450 people in Phoenix who have been charged with manifestation of prostitution over the past eight years. The ordinance, which has been called unconstitutional by the ACLU of Arizona, allows the act of flagging down a car or wearing provocative clothing to be used as grounds to cite someone.

In 2014, the city’s prosecution of Monica Jones under the ordinance drew national outcry. Civil rights organizations condemned the arrest of Jones, a transgender activist and social work student. Even celebrities spoke out against the city’s use of the law.

But Phoenix has not stopped using the ordinance, according to data obtained by New Times.

A review of the data showed that hundreds of people — including 90 in 2022 — have been charged with manifesting prostitution since Jones' case. Over the last two years, the majority of those charged were Black

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[-] phamanhvu01@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I thought I'd never say this, but America is looking really like a third-world country lately. Of course that's too much of a generalization, but shit like this, and school shootings, and etc etc...makes you really wondering if you get what I mean.

[-] MasterObee@lemmy.world -3 points 1 year ago

I get we have problems, but holy shit. Stop saying this.

We are not a third world country, and someone even comparing us to one just shows they've never been to a 3rd world country, outside of maybe an enclosed resort.

[-] lolcatnip@reddthat.com 2 points 1 year ago

You know 3rd world countries aren't all alike, right? I've been to one—not even in a touristy area—and it was fine.

[-] MasterObee@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

And which country was this?

[-] lolcatnip@reddthat.com 0 points 1 year ago

Mexico.

[-] Dinodicchellathicc@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Mexico isn't a third world country. They're developed and have a very solid economy.

[-] lolcatnip@reddthat.com -1 points 1 year ago

Sounds like you don't know what a third world country is.

this post was submitted on 18 Jul 2023
263 points (92.0% liked)

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