Rights, not raids. That’s what sex workers and street vendors in Queens are demanding, following an increased crackdown on illegal brothels and unlicensed vendors along Roosevelt Avenue.

“Sex work is work. We are your neighbors. Our lives are not disposable materials for your political campaigns. Let’s work together to protect each other,” Fran Yu from the sex workers’ rights group Red Canary Song, said.

Activists gathered on the steps of Corona Plaza Tuesday to call for the removal of police officers and State Troopers from their neighborhoods. The recently ramped up campaign called “Operation Restore Roosevelt” aimed to address public safety.

What You Need To Know

  • Authorities say they are responding to neighborhood complaints that sex work makes the area unsafe and unlicensed street vendors infringe on public space

  • Activists say this type of policing targets immigrants, trans people and working people of color — and many rely on this work for survival

  • According to the NYPD, housing resources, counseling and other services will be provided for victims of human trafficking

“We’re not leaving until we shut down every single one of these illegal brothels and massage parlors,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said.

Authorities say they are responding to neighborhood complaints that sex work makes the area seedy and unsafe, and unlicensed street vendors infringe on public space and make it hard for brick-and-mortar businesses to thrive.


The city released video from another raid on Monday night. Police arrested three women and charged them with prostitution.

“There’s a multitude of violations inside of this location. That’s why it’s important for us as NYPD to partner with our brother and sister agencies, because the NYPD can’t write summonses for this, but the fire department can,” Daughtry said.

But sex workers like Victoria Von Blaque say the crackdown is not only unfair, but unjust. Von Blaque says they have been targeted by police, not only for being a sex worker, but also for being Black and transgender.

“Queens is literally the world’s borough where everyone is supposed to be welcomed and everyone is supposed to feel safe and as a young, trans non-binary person, I’ve alway felt safe out here until recently,” Von Blaque said.

In the middle of the rally, chaos erupted around former State Senator Hiram Monserrate, who has been outspoken in his support for these raids.

A spokesperson for the Mayor Eric Adams’ office says the NYPD is addressing community concerns. But activists say this type of policing targets immigrants, transgender people and working people of color — and many rely on this work for survival.

“I would like for other trans and cis, any sex worker, any human to be able to walk down the streets of Roosevelt [Avenue] again and feel safe and supported,” Von Blaque said.

According to the NYPD, housing resources, counseling and other services will be provided for victims of human trafficking.