Social media has erupted in support of out-of-work adult entertainers who are calling on Mayor Brandon Scott to allow Baltimore’s strip clubs to resume activities.
The dancers are arguing that strip clubs can be as safe as other businesses and venues that are currently open in Baltimore City, as long as social distancing is maintained and staff and patrons wear masks.
Adult entertainment venues and hookah and cigar lounges were left of out Scott’s most recent executive order easing coronavirus restrictions. Among the order’s provisions, the Monday order said indoor recreation sites can reopen at 25% capacity.
The sex workers disrupted, and then forced the cancellation of, a press conference on Wednesday by city leaders who are questioning Baltimore Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming’s investigation into Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s travel, gifts and private businesses.
Baltimore Sun reporter Tim Prudente tweeted this video of attorney J. Wyndal Gordon calling off the press conference as protesters chanted “Sex work is real work” in a call-and-response.
Drowned out by chants from the strippers, they are canceling the press conference pic.twitter.com/j6F9dvR7po
— Tim Prudente (@Tim_Prudente) February 24, 2021
Baltimore Brew reporter Louis Krauss estimated that about 50 strip club dancers and other employees were part of the protest.
I thought I would be covering a press conference held by African American city leaders criticizing the Baltimore’s inspector general, but then it was drowned out by ~50 strippers/dancers there to demand their jobs back from @MayorBMScott. Didn’t see that one coming. https://t.co/Xz2N3EuW6G
— Louis Krauss (@louiskraussnews) February 25, 2021
The strippers’ protest drew support from people on social media.
Erik Kulczynski tweeted “[G]od bless the Baltimore strippers for fighting for their right to work again.”
I love my city. I don’t know if it happens in every state, but god bless the Baltimore strippers for fighting for their right to work again, by protesting today! #TheBlock #baltimore #maryland pic.twitter.com/wEPfF4YYhl
— Erik Kulczynski (@Rammnails) February 25, 2021
The protesters’ interruption of the press conference was Twitter user @WetLipHamilton’s “favorite Baltimore moment of the week.”
Marilyn Mosby’s sad support rally getting cancelled because of chanting strippers is my favorite Baltimore moment of the week. https://t.co/zdMohQVKzy
— Wetlip Hamilton ??? (@WetLipHamilton) February 24, 2021
Meanwhile, Twitter user @StarrySeaWitch offered a cosmic explanation for Wednesday’s events. (For what it’s worth, Mercury was in retrograde until Feb. 20).
Is mercury in retrograde? Baltimore Twitter seems especially spicy today. And an NAACP press conference was cancelled due to strippers. Or is this just a normal day but with sunshine?
— Starry ⭐✨? (@StarrySeaWitch) February 24, 2021
On Instagram, Troy Burton posted “I love Baltimore! We don’t play,” alongside screenshots of tweets from Baltimore Sun reporter Tim Prudente and other photos.
