Red Canary Song Builds a Memorial to the Atlanta Spa Victims - Curbed

  • Thread starter Thread starter massage
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 0
  • Views Views 664
  • Tags Tags
    spa

massage

Registered
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Messages
147,561
Reaction score
826
Points
113
alt

Photo: Diana Budds

On Wednesday, members of the Red Canary Song Collective — a coalition of Asian sex workers — hosted a vigil in Washington Square to remember the eight people who died in the shootings at three Atlanta spas one year ago, six of whom were Chinese and Korean women. For the collective, the event offered a chance to highlight the connection between the mass shooting and the specific forms of violence directed at Asian body-care workers. As Yin Q, a Red Canary Song organizer, said in the vigil’s opening remarks, the women had been killed “in a violent spree fueled by racism, sexism, and self-loathing.”

Toward the back of the crowd, there was a memorial to the six spa workers, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Yong Ae Yue, and Suncha Kim, that took the form of a typical massage parlor. The installation, titled Curtain Armor, designed by Red Canary Song and art directed by one of its members, Chong Gu, held three massage stalls that were each enclosed by white, embroidered lace curtains, with painted portraits of the victims pinned to the outer-facing cloth panels. Inside each stall, on top of each massage table, Charlotte, a 20-year massage worker who leads Red Canary Song’s outreach in the Korean community, created funerary altars with incense, flowers, and traditional Chinese and Korean foods piled high on plates — fruit, noodles, fish, shrimp, candies, and alcohol — which are typically offered to the deceased on the anniversary of their deaths, along with tokens that represent prosperity for the afterlife. “The food represents how these spas have become domestic spaces,” Yin Q says. “We see people live there. You see the rice pot in the corner. It calls into question why spaces like this are so threatening to society.”


alt

Photo: Diana Budds

Setting up massage tables as memorial altars challenges the stigma and racialized stereotypes surrounding massage parlors that make them a target of violence. The Atlanta shooter described the spas as a temptation he wanted to eliminate. Meanwhile, immigration stings and police raids on these businesses carried out in the name of “rescuing” people often lead to workers getting hurt, jailed, or worse. After all, RCS formed after Yang Song, a Flushing massage worker, died during a police raid in 2017. Earlier this year, two massage workers were killed at Albuquerque spas within three weeks.

“These are spaces that are intimate, private, and yet laden with shame and also invisibility not only in American culture but also Asian American culture,” Yin Q says. “Many Asian American communities who are honoring the deaths are erasing the workers’ identities as workers. It completely diminishes the fact that — despite how these workers might not have been sex workers, or did not claim that identity — the gunman was targeting them because of his perception that they were sex workers.” Empress Wu, another Red Canary Song member, added that the Atlanta shooting “got swallowed into a broader conversation about ‘anti-Asian hate’, which ignores intersections of gender, immigration, citizenship, and the type of work that they do. It wasn’t just an act against Asian people. It’s an act against a specific subset of Asian people and affects the way Asian people are conceptualized in Asian culture.”


alt

Photo: Diana Budds

alt

Photo: Diana Budds

For RCS, changing the conditions that led to the shooting starts with correcting the narrative that surrounds massage parlors. It means showing them as the spaces of care that they are, acknowledging who does body-care work, and pushing for changes like decriminalizing unlicensed massage and ending 24-hour shifts for home health aides, says RCS’s Empress Wu.
Once the speaking portion of the vigil concluded, Korean drummers from KQTxNYC performed a funerary procession and the group’s organizers stepped inside to visit the altars and light incense. RCS then opened the curtains shrouding the front of the massage stalls and invited the people who attended to leave their own tokens for the dead. The crowd thinned out as people kneeled and bowed in front of the altars and departed the vigil.
 
Shoutbox
  1. gold__rose__spa:
    💥💢🏵at 1536 Warden Avenue ❣Thursday, 💯💥💞Michelle 💋for traditional style treatment and quality services., newly toned body, strong, does very firm treatment, 💞 📳647 346-8086📳
  2. SL East Spa:
    💆‍♀💖Terrific Thursday 💖 Ultimate destination for Asian massages🎉 Two fab spots: SL Richmond Hill & SL West Oakville ✨ Your passport to paradise with 9 enchanting girls fr China, HK — 🆕Tiffany, Joey,Coco, Aaliyah, Julie, Yui, Tina, Michelle & New 34D Jasmine—— ready to pamper you🎁🍁 Ring us 📞647-695-6354 or text us 📱647-578-8169✨ 160 East Beaver Cr., Unit 12, RichmondHill 💰Where Eastern charm meets Western comfort - your bliss awaits🙌
  3. Bruce2034:
    Asian star spa
  4. wilson holistic centre:
    Beautiful girls everyday ☎️ 4165316969☎️💕💕
  5. Pink Flower Spa:
  6. Golden Flower Spa:
  7. BlueXado Therapy & Spa:
  8. Withme_Spa:
    💕💥at 4386 Sheppard Avenue east 💯💗❣Thursday ❣❤  Ruby,💋 average height and sexy build, nice boobs, long hair. Beautiful. awesome service level 💋💕 Lucy,💘 beautiful, dark hair to shoulder, tall and slim but busty, over the top finish. ❣❤ Yoyo, 💕💋medium height and sexy build with shapely legs and ass. friendly, very good treatment and excellent finish 💖💓💋 Crystal, average height, slim build, very pretty, white skin, medium treatment, very smooth, choice finish 💋💘🔋416 297-7488🔋
  9. Jenny’s Spa:
    🎉🍒JENNY’S SPA🎉🍒 ✅5170 DUNDAS STREET WEST✅ 👌ETOBICOKE ONTARIO M9A 1C4👌 ☎️( 647-893-5196)☎️Call or Text ☎️( 437-888-3759)☎️Call Only (ETOBICOKE) OPEN 10am to 9pm MONDAY to SUNDAY 🔥✅GRAND OPENING💯NEW GIRLS EVERYDAY🔥EXCELLENT MASSAGE + SERVICE QUEENS NOW AVAILABLE AT JENNY’S SPA FOR ALL YOUR MASSAGE AND SPECIAL EXTRA NEEDS🔥💯😘🔥❤️👌 🔥TWO BEAUTIFUL NEW YOUNG ASIAN GIRLS EVERYDAY🔥 💯REAL PICTURES OF ATTENDANTS💯 🔥💋Limited Time Special Promotion🔥💋 ✅💦30 Minutes Nude Massage w
  10. wonderspa:
    🌺🌺Wonder spa,(9421Jane st unit127)call416-5000-800☎️best massage in vaughan,💄sexy very young girl Sunny natural c cup,very good looking nice body slide😻 🍎long hair Lucy come back,very good strong to relax oil massage, Relieve pain and remove stress,more experience.😍new very beautiful long hair lily,slimy body,amazing touch, back walk,hot stone,popular friendly girl,must try🔥🔥
  11. SugarLoveSpa:
    Sugar Love Spa 🦋🦋👙👙👙👙👙today have 💋Mia, 💋Sara, 💋Tiffany, 💋Luna, 💋Hana come baby all young sexy girls available👙🦋👙👙437-365-2688👙
  12. bnwellness_wilson:
    We have 4 masseuse are working today. Tina,Ella,Coco and Victoria are providing deep tissue massage, pls call 4163985777 book appointment and walk in always welcome, back entrance and parking available. 350 Wilson Ave North York
  13. Lily Spa:
    ❤️ SANA, ELENA and SUSU are here today for your massage needs ❤️ Lily Spa ❤️ 2190 McNicoll ❤️ Scarborough ❤️ M1V 5M2 ❤️ (647) 531-8288 ❤️
  14. lemon_tree:
    💛💥a discreet entrance at 4155 Sheppard Avenue east 💯💕💋💘Thursday, ❣💞 Cici...💋 small build, friendly and pretty,nice touch, with a lot of energy, service oriented, aka Coco 💋💖 📞 647 348-2899📞
  15. HollywoodSpa:
    Thursday at 🎭𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗬𝗪𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗦𝗣𝗔🎭, 4578 Yonge St, Unit 100, North York, ON: CINDY, JENNY & SISI. ☎416-222-5554☎ CINDY is a slim & pretty lady with long dark hair and a pleasing personality. JENNY is slim, attractive, with a tight frame and service with a smile. When you visit 🎭Hollywood Spa🎭, you will be treated with tender care and your visit will be a fulfilling one.
  16. ForeverWarden:
    Thursday at 🫦❤️🔴🟥♾️𝓕𝓞𝓡𝓔𝓥𝓔𝓡 𝓢𝓟𝓐♾️🟥🔴❤️🫦🫦2190 Warden Ave, Unit 201, Scarborough 𝟰𝟭𝟲-𝟴𝟬𝟬-𝟳𝟴𝟴𝟳: Cindy, Sophia & Tracy. Cindy is a slim beauty, 5’4”, natural C Cups. Her massage is nice, her services will drive you wild & her finish is a dream come true. Sophia is a sweet & pretty Chinese lady with natural B Cups and an awe-inspiring smooth rounded ass. Sophia can provide top notch services
  17. HolidaySpa:
    Thursday at 🌴😎🌅𝓗𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓢𝓹𝓪🌅😎🌴3517 Kennedy Rd, Unit 4, Scarborough ☎️𝟰𝟯𝟳-𝟮𝟰𝟳-𝟭𝟭𝟵𝟵☎️: ANGELA, LUCY & CINDY. Angela is versatile and responsive. LUCY is a beautiful and slim Asian lady with a happy disposition and great services. CINDY is a slim & incredibly sexy lady with a smile that will melt your heart, & an ass that will fire up your spirit.
  18. Red_Pearl_Spa:
    💋at 4385 Sheppard Avenue east, unit 5 🔺💋💋🔴Thursday, 💞💥💋 Jenny, average body, tall and pretty, here for therapeutic treatment with amazing finish+ ❤ Tammy, 💋☎️ 647 352-1588☎️
  19. Moneylee:
    All season wellness center : young girl pretty face nice figure Thai deep massage Helen,Young girl big breasted beautiful buttocks charming temperament summer ,Young girl Big breasted saucy naughty Ella , Enchanting sexy petite deep massage Sherry ,address: #5-30 Rambler dr Brampton ,Ontario L6W 1E2☎️4376655510 🦵🦵👄👄🈵🈵👅👅
  20. Moneylee:
    Full season wellness center: young girl pretty face nice figure Thai deep massage Vivian , pretty face nice figure Thai deep massage Yuki ,Young girl big breasted beautiful buttocks charming temperament big boobs Anjoo ,Young girl Big breasted saucy naughty Ella,Enchanting sexy petite deep massage Mary. 2560 Shepard ave Mississauga unit 1 .☎️4379857899🦵🦵🈵🈵👅👅👄👄
  21. SugarLoveSpa:
    Thursday at ❤️💙 💜⎝𝗦𝗨𝗚𝗔𝗥 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗔⎠💖💗💘: HANA, MIA, LUNA, SARA & TIFFANY. 1270 Finch Ave W (at Keele St), Unit 18. North York, ON ☎ 𝟰𝟯𝟳-𝟯𝟲𝟱-𝟮𝟲𝟴𝟴 ☎ HANA is a slim, sexy & very liberal Mexican lady with incredible services. MIA is a young & slim 𝙎𝙋𝙄𝙉𝙉𝙀𝙍, very PRETTY & PETITE Vietnamese beauty with A Cups, 5’1” & 90 Lbs, very versatile. Come and enjoy. LUNA is slim
  22. Golden Sunshine Spa:
    ✨Click on our Username and FOLLOW US for updates and special services ! ✅ Click Here Today🌸Cassy🌸Tina🌸Isabella🌸Tania🌸Bella Call us ☎ 905 - 265 - 2158☎️ Your ultimate service awaits! ✨
  23. Soul Relax Spa:
    ✨ Looking for a relaxing escape? ✅ Click Here Meet🌸Luna🌸Valentina🌸KellyCall us today for the best treatment and service experience. Click on our Username and FOLLOW US for updates ! Call now ☎ 289 - 298 - 5662☎️ Your ultimate relaxation awaits! ✨
  24. Lulu_Villa_Spa:
    Sami Gorgeous Model Type Vietnamese Girl Judy is a gorgeous model type Vietnamese Girl Natalie filipina mixed Petite girl Cici Cute Skinny Vietnamese Girl ☎️647- 446-0886
  25. luckywellness:
    Lucky Wellness Center 4379721888 295 Eglinton Ave E,Unit 7,Mississauga Kiki and Suki work
  26. Lulu1980:
    Phoenix Blossom Spa 🌹🌹🌹3 girls 🔥🔥🔥5124 Dundas St W Etobicoke☎️416-817-3366👍 Sexy girl Mia big boobs 36DD 😘😘😘😘Hot and sexy body, super body slide, very provocative service😘😘😘, professional super Luna deep tissue massage, has therapeutic effect to loosen bones and relieve muscle pressure and will bring you unexpected service effects, she will bring you a little surprise😍😍😍😍❤️You are welcome to make an appointment at any time or walk in the back door with plenty of parking spaces
  27. DareDevil:
    ARIA WELLNESS ADDRESS: 360 HWY 7, UNIT #6, RICHMOND HILL,647-222-5683/905.886.9993 (PHONES CALL ONLY, NO TEXT'N AVAILABLE) ♥️TODAY'S Schedule!♥️ Loaded lineup with Young Beautiful Girls : Young Lovely Lori, Baby Selina, Elegant Ella, Magical Mia and Work out🏋🚴💪 Babe Amy! BUY 10 HOURS (GET 11 HOURS) **TODAY'S PICK OF THE DAY IS ELLA**
  28. wonderspa:
    🌺🌺Wonder spa,(9421Jane st unit127)call416-5000-800☎️best massage in vaughan,💄sexy very young girl Sunny natural c cup,very good looking nice body slide😻 🍎long hair Lucy come back,very good strong to relax oil massage, Relieve pain and remove stress,more experience.😍new very beautiful long hair lily,slimy body,amazing touch, back walk,hot stone,popular friendly girl,must try😍😍
  29. EMSpa_schedule:
    Tomorrow's sneak peek: On Thursday April 3, 2025, our attendants will be Ada 🤩, Cici 😍, Vicky 😘, Sophie ☀ and Monica 😘. Call us at (905) 479-6668 to book!
  30. yoko:
    sister spa
  31. Soul Relax Spa:
    ✨ Looking for a relaxing escape? ✅ Click Here Meet🌸Tina🌸Mya🌸MonikaCall us today for the best treatment and service experience. Click on our Username and FOLLOW US for updates ! Call now ☎ 289 - 298 - 5662☎️ Your ultimate relaxation awaits! ✨
  32. Golden Flower Spa:
  33. BlueXado Therapy & Spa:
  34. Pink Flower Spa:
  35. Joseph123456:
    Just relax review
  36. Alibi Massage and Spa:
    Unwind in ALIBI 🥀 this WEDNESDAY: Jasmine, Kay, Jade, Sandy 📞905 212 1222📍1380 Matheson Blvd East, Mississauga
  37. EMSpa_schedule:
    For Wednesday April 2, 2025, our attendants are Sandy 😘, Opal 🥰, Cici 😍, Yoyo 🔥 and Carla ❣. Call us at (905) 479-6668 to book your favourite and head on over to 7665 Kennedy Road, Unit 4, Markham, ON, Canada!
  38. Red Rose Spa:
    🌸 We have 5 hot brown girls today 🌸 PAOLA, AMMU, MONIKA, ANGELINA, NISHA, KIRAN, DIYA, ANGEL 🌸 2588 Birchmount 🌸 2 Invergordon 🌸 647-702-8800 🌸 Please visit for a great erotic massage
  39. Jenny’s Spa:
    🎉🍒JENNY’S SPA🎉🍒 ✅5170 DUNDAS STREET WEST✅ 👌ETOBICOKE ONTARIO M9A 1C4👌 ☎️( 647-893-5196)☎️Call or Text ☎️( 437-888-3759)☎️Call Only (ETOBICOKE) OPEN 10am to 9pm MONDAY to SUNDAY 🔥✅GRAND OPENING💯NEW GIRLS EVERYDAY🔥EXCELLENT MASSAGE + SERVICE QUEENS NOW AVAILABLE AT JENNY’S SPA FOR ALL YOUR MASSAGE AND SPECIAL EXTRA NEEDS🔥💯😘🔥❤️👌 🔥TWO BEAUTIFUL NEW YOUNG ASIAN GIRLS EVERYDAY🔥 💯REAL PICTURES OF ATTENDANTS💯 🔥💋Limited Time Special Promotion🔥💋 ✅💦30 Minutes Nude Massage w
  40. Lily Spa:
    ❤️ KAJAL, ELENA and SUSU are here today for your massage needs ❤️ Lily Spa ❤️ 2190 McNicoll ❤️ Scarborough ❤️ M1V 5M2 ❤️ (647) 531-8288 ❤️
  41. SugarLoveSpa:
    hi today have Susan, Ella, Tifany, Lisa come baby all young beautiful girls
  42. Moneylee:
    All season wellness center : New Young girl big boobs beautiful face deep massage Zoe ,young girl pretty face nice figure Thai deep massage Helen,Young girl big breasted beautiful buttocks charming temperament summer ,Young girl Big breasted saucy naughty Ella , Enchanting sexy petite deep massage Sherry ,address: #5-30 Rambler dr Brampton ,Ontario L6W 1E2☎️4376655510 🦵🦵👅👅🈵🈵👄👄
  43. Annie Spa:
    🎉🍒ANNIE SPA🎉🍒 ✅7-1001 SANDHURST CIRCLE✅ 👌SCARBOROUGH ON M1V 1Z6👌 ☎️ (647) 891-9688☎️ ☎️ (416) 291-8879☎️ (FINCH & MCCOWAN) OPEN 9:30am to 9pm MONDAY to SUNDAY 🔥✅NEW MANAGEMENT💯NEW GIRLS🔥🔥 🔥GORGEOUS NEW YOUNG ASIAN GIRLS - TODAY’s ROSTER INCLUDES: 🔥 Feifei😘Our new Taiwanese beauty Feifei specializes in creating an intimate and deeply relaxing massage experience tailored to your desires. Her soft, skilled hands glide effortlessly, easing tension and awakening your senses with
  44. Moneylee:
    Full season wellness center: Young girl Big-breasted big big butts Aris , Young girl big breasted beautiful buttocks charming temperament big boobs Rose,Young girl big breasted beautiful buttocks charming temperament big boobs Julia ,Young beautiful face sexy body and good deep massage maggie,Enchanting sexy petite deep massage Mary. 🏠 2560 Shepard ave Mississauga unit 1 ☎️ 4379857899 🦵🦵👅👅👄👄🈵🈵
  45. Golden Sunshine Spa:
    ✨Click on our Username and FOLLOW US for updates and special services ! ✅ Click Here Today🌸Akame🌸Christina🌸Camila🌸Lynda🌸Antonela Call us ☎ 905 - 265 - 2158☎️ Your ultimate service awaits! ✨
  46. bnwellness_wilson:
    We have 4 masseuse are working today. Vicky,Mia,Ella and Lina are providing deep tissue massage, pls call 4163985777 book appointment and walk in always welcome, back entrance and parking available. 350 Wilson Ave North York
  47. AliceSpa:
    WEDNESDAY at 𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗔 416-298-0898, 4915 Steeles Ave. E, Scarborough 3 very nice girls here today. Open 10am to 9pm: AMY (12pm – 9pm) is a young, petite short & slim Taiwanese, former dance instructor, firm natural B Cups, pretty face, firm natural titis, super play good, bbbj, cim, rim, dfk, all services. APPLE: from Hong Kong, very small body, 5' 100Lbs, petite with natural C Cups
  48. HollywoodSpa:
    Wednesday at 🎭𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗬𝗪𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗦𝗣𝗔🎭, 4578 Yonge St, Unit 100, North York, ON: NICOLE & SISI. ☎𝟰𝟭𝟲-𝟮𝟮𝟮-𝟱𝟱𝟱𝟰☎ NICOLE is petite, slim and very pretty, with C Cups , long hair & a slim waist. She has nice massage and great services. SISI is a sweet slim beauty, 5’2”, with a beauty ass, excellent massage, and amazing services. Come and see why she is so popular. When you visit 🎭Hollywood
  49. ForeverWarden:
    Wednesday at 🫦❤️🔴🟥♾️𝓕𝓞𝓡𝓔𝓥𝓔𝓡 𝓢𝓟𝓐♾️🟥🔴❤️🫦2190 Warden Ave, Unit 201, Scarborough 𝟰𝟭𝟲-𝟴𝟬𝟬-𝟳𝟴𝟴𝟳: Bella, Cindy & Sasa. Bella is around 5’3” with a thin to medium build, C Cups, and a pleasing personality. She can offer dfk, bbbj and cfs as well as a good massage experience. Cindy is a slim beauty, 5’4”, natural C Cups. Her massage is nice, her services will drive you wild & her finish is a dream
  50. HolidaySpa:
    Wednesday at 🌴😎🌅𝓗𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓢𝓹𝓪🌅😎🌴3517 Kennedy Rd, Unit 4, Scarborough ☎️𝟰𝟯𝟳-𝟮𝟰𝟳-𝟭𝟭𝟵𝟵☎️: EMILY, KIKI & CINDY. EMILY is a VERY tiny petite SPINNER superstar of the highest quality. Emily has a pretty face, natural A Cups, slim waist, and a lovely spinner bottom, topped off with the very best of services. Kiki is very attractive, young, about 5’4” and 110 Lbs., slim with a banging body.
Back
Top