Working women donned hats, masks and beautiful T-shirts saying Sex Workers of Soho 2009 and No Bad Women Just Bad Laws. They thanked the Soho community for helping keep women's doors open so they can stay in the safety of their flats.

Marchers chanted: "Soho Says, Put Safety First", “Sex Workers are Workers, Put Safety First”.  Women spoke of their pride that no working girl has ever been murdered in a Soho flat – it is 10 times safer to work indoors than on the streets. Locals and visitors waved and smiled in support.

The Parade stopped outside one of the flats recently raided by police and immigration officers.  Women spoke against being labelled as victims of trafficking  just because they are immigrant, and of how they are supporting families back home.

Niki Adams (ECP) speaking of the successful campaign to defeat a closure order against premises in Dean St – a battle that prompted local people to turn up in court in support of their neighbours.  

Placards protested against the Policing and Crime Bill (PCB) and the Welfare Reform Bill (WRB) – two sides of the same coin.  The PCB targets sex workers, on the street and in premises.  The WRB abolishes Income Support, the basic entitlement single mothers and other carers, women escaping domestic violence and people with disabilities have relied on for survival.  

The parade made clear that sex workers are women l ike other women – mothers, daughters, sisters, grannies, aunties.  And that some are men.  Why target them, especially in times of economic recession?  Why push women and young people on the game by cutting benefits, and then criminalise them when they go into prostitution to feed their families and pay the bills?

Cari Mitchell (ECP) speaking at the Soho Festival in St. Anne's Garden.  The Parade was welcomed by Fiona Rhys-Jenkins (Soho Society chair) and Father David Gilmore (Rector of Soho). Soho Working Girls presented a £100 donation to the Soho Society.  

Organisations joined in support, including the International Union of Sex Workers (IUSW) and Soho Boyz. Women Against Rape highlighted demands that rape and other violence, including trafficking, should be investigated and prosecuted, not consenting sex.  

The supportive Soho Festival compere was shocked at government’s attempts to abolish Income Support. Facing the stage was a sea of festival goers, absorbed, amazed and delighted at sex workers contribution to the day.  

Ms Nicole Kidman paid a surprise visit, here watched by Thierry Schaffauser (IUSW), who spoke of the stigma and discrimination sex workers face.