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00:00 Many wearing masks to conceal their identity, dozens of sex workers took to the streets
00:06 of Amsterdam to protest against a controversial plan to uproot their red light district and
00:11 replace it with a large-scale erotic centre elsewhere.
00:17 The red light district is the safest and most independent way to work.
00:22 If you want to improve the position of sex workers, they should start by listening to
00:26 the sex workers.
00:30 The city's mayor has long opposed its red light district, where sex workers stand in
00:34 windows waiting for customers.
00:36 The plan is part of an effort to stem the flow of tourists and reduce crime in the area.
00:42 A petition against transferring the district has been signed by some 20,000 people.
00:47 Many are instead pushing for better crowd control and greater police surveillance.
00:52 Also among the crowds were out of town locals, concerned that they may end up living near
00:57 the new centre.
00:58 "We don't want the biggest brothel of Europe in our neighbourhood, not in the south but
01:03 nowhere in Amsterdam.
01:04 We just don't want it.
01:05 We want to keep it here."
01:08 Amsterdam is one of the world's most visited cities.
01:11 The plan is its latest attempt to transform its reputation as a party capital.
01:16 A ban on smoking cannabis in public went into effect in May.
01:20 The city also launched a stay away initiative aimed at rowdy tourists that included earlier
01:25 closing times for window brothels and pubs.