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Oakland Marchers Call For End To Prostitution Corridor

OAKLAND (KCBS)—Hundreds of people rallied and marched on International Boulevard in Oakland Friday night to call for an end to prostitution and robberies along the corridor.

Mayor Jean Quan and other city leaders were among the community members who took part.

"I know the impact on the community. I know that it makes it more dangerous," Quan said.

In the next month, the mayor will unveil a program to specifically go after johns.

Maria Lopez lives on International Boulevard and said she was marching for her two-year-old son.

"There is a lot of prostitution around the neighborhood and I'm really worried that my baby will see that," said the concerned mother.

KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:

The rally took place at the corner of 17th and International, an area Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Sharmin Bock called an "open-air sex market."

"It's a location that is known for jonhs to go to, to find young girls for sale,"said Bock.

City Attorney Barbara Parker mentioned that court cases calling for a yearlong shutdown of the Economy Inn Motel and the National Lodge Motel are moving forward.

"They have profited from it and their business model includes catering to prostitution. We cannot accept this," Parker said.

Two similar marches have been held since March of last year.

Since then police have installed 20 security cameras along International Boulevard and have agreed to conduct special operations in the area at least once every two months.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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