September 12th, 2026 JACKSON HEIGHTS, Queens - Marchers against brothels and human trafficking walked through Roosevelt Avenue Saturday, banging on doors, plastering "Shut It Down" signs on storefronts, confronting one spa owner and attempting to confront alleged sex workers as they moved through the streets.
The group, marching under the banner Restore Roosevelt Avenue, accused the spa owner of running a brothel out of her storefront. One man in the group told her he had personally gone inside the spa and was offered illegal services.
The march began at 1 p.m. at 76-09 Roosevelt Avenue, where organizers rallied in front of a business they accused of operating as a secret brothel.
The group then moved to multiple storefronts along the avenue that organizers said they had photographed for brothel activity, human trafficking and prostitution. At each stop marchers banged on doors, rang bells and pasted "Shut It Down" signs on the entrances.
Woman confronted has denied the allegations about illegal business inside the spa
As the march continued toward the 90th Street triangle, participants rang bells and shouted through a megaphone at women marchers alleged were sex workers along the route.
Organizers listed on the event flier include Hiram Monserrate, Rosa Sanchez, Fausto Rodriguez, Gabriella Perez and Veronica Alvarado. The group has held prior marches on the same corridor under the slogans "Protect Our Community" and "Stop Human Trafficking."
