A New Orleans commission created by the Democrat-controlled city council recommended that the number of strip clubs in the city be curbed but workers employed by the industry are speaking out to make sure that the changes are not enacted.
The city council in January ordered city planners to conduct a formal review of the industry and put a temporary ban on new strip clubs until the review was completed. The commission has recommended that the city start revoking licenses until the number of strip clubs in New Orleans is halved, citing concerns of increased crime that they bring to the city.
When the commission held a meeting to release their recommendations, however, it was met by a room full of strippers, strip club owners, and other individuals who rely on the industry for employment.
Here is video of the meeting from the Times-Picayune:
Women complained that the commission did not consult them during their investigation and fought back against the characterization that they are forced to work as strippers.
"It is completely appalling to think that we are sub-human beings with no voice and can't take care of ourselves and take care of ourselves," said one of the women that spoke at the meeting. "We choose to work in this industry."
"We're all here because we are intelligent, independent, and we want to keep the jobs that we have," said another.
Rachel Ladner, a 28-year-old exotic dancer working at a Bourbon Street club, argued that the commission is falsely characterizing strip clubs as hot beds for crime because "the people who lead stable lives don't make the news."
She added that the commission would put countless women that currently make a good living in "dire straits."
Nolan Marshall III, one of the members of the commission, appeared to be convinced by the women who spoke up during the hearing.
"There does appear to be a creation of victimhood around the women in this industry that may take away their voice," said Marshall. "I'm encouraged that those women showed up today to speak out and say 'we are not victims.'"
"Oftentimes we create victimhood so that we can go in and solve a problem," said Marshall. "What I heard a lot of today is this is actually empowering, this is how I feed my family, and that the environment is an environment that they feel safe in."
There are currently 23 strip clubs in New Orleans and they attract millions of visitors each year.
The commission has yet to make a formal recommendation that the city council move to shut down strip clubs.