“It is disappointing that the NFL, which has a history of problematic behavior by some of
its players against women, would allow players to represent two [anti-trafficking]
organizations that are synonymous with sex assaults against women”
— Attorney Suzette Rasmussen
representing victims of “anti-trafficking” activist Tim Ballard.
LAS VEGAS— Super Bowl LVlll is coming to Nevada for the first time and Las Vegas
police and non-profits are again using myths of forced labor in the sex trade as cover for
harassment and arrest of sex workers. On February 5, sex workers from the Stop The
Raids Committee will protest outside Allegiant Stadium in an effort to educate the public
about the truth behind the Superbowl.
The Stop the Raids Committee 2024 calls for the halt of harmful prostitution arrests and
street sweeps under the guise of stopping sex trafficking, and advises the news media
to beware the claims made by celebrities, their charities and law enforcement used to
justify them.
Every year, police departments use long-debunked claims of sex trafficking at the Super
Bowl to justify mass arrests of sex workers and clients. During these periods, in an effort
to secure positive press coverage and more funding, police have used entrapment of
sex workers, alongside misleading phrases like “Human Trafficking Operation” to
disguise the fact that almost no arrests ever involve trafficking,
For sex workers, these annual raids are violent and dangerous. Sex workers in Las
Vegas and elsewhere routinely suffer assault, harassment and abuse at the hands of
law enforcement.
This year, the issue is even more prominent, as numerous NFL stars have allied
themselves with the Christian “anti-trafficking” organization Operation Underground
Railroad — an organization whose founder, Tim Ballard, has been accused of by
multiple women of sexual assault, some of which took place during his supposed
“raids.”
“We demand these dangerous and damaging raids by law enforcement be stopped!
Adults should have the right to not have their private, consensual sexual activities
criminalized.We welcome the chance to talk with the public and media about the truth
behind the raids.”
WHAT: Public and Media Education Action at Super Bowl LVlll Opening Night
WHO: Stop The Raids Committee https://stoptheraids.org/
WHEN: 4pm February 5, 2024
WHERE: The Allegiant Stadium 3333 Al Davis Way, Las Vegas, NV 89118
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