Tattoo artist strike against sexual assault @ work

Per public records, Daniel Crain was arrested In August of 2022 for sexual assault in a tattoo shop, Patches tattoos & Emporium of Gulf Shores AL. (A.K.A. Gulf Shores Tattoo & Emporium) One of the employees(or Emerald ink) were a key witness to the incident that night. Crain was bonded out of jail by the owner(allegedly)of the tattoo shop in August 22 to return to work with said witness. This created a very uncomfortable work environment for everyone involved, especially women. Each employee suffered from such a hostile work environment that they felt they had to carry concealed weapons at all times, and never let their guard down. After multiple threats made by Crain to the witness, she pressed charges for intimidating a witness. On April 12th 2023, Crain was Arrested again, and charged with Attempted rape in the 1st degree, sexual assault first degree, and Intimidating a witness, All felony charges. The owner of the tattoo shop allegedly quickly bonded Crain out, and when she learned of the protection order between the witness and Crain, she decided to take hours from the witness so that Crain could work a full schedule. Other employees were uncomfortable with the hostile work environment continuing and felt it was unfair to punish others for Crains actions. So on April 14th, the employees decided to go on strike and request that Crain be placed on administrative leave until he faced trial but the owner stands strong with Crain and told everyone that was uncomfortable that they were “free to go”.
   The employees that started the strike have now lost all of their income for standing up for what’s right. So we are starting a go fund me in hopes to help raise money to open our own shop, that promises safety for both the artist and the clients.
Victoria Emerald of Emerald ink, has been saving money and working overtime for the past few months in hopes to get herself and her coworkers a safe place to work, but after the restraining order and the owner of Patches tattoos reacting the way she did, causing loss of her income, those plans have come to a quick pause.
So this money will be going towards all the equipment and supplies needed to open a new safe space for local artist, and clients! We thank everyone so much for your continued love and support and we are so moved by how far this story has gotten. If anything, we at least hope to raise awareness to these type of incidents in the tattoo Industry, and make the industry a better place!
For each person who has donated to this fundraiser, will receive a brick with their name on it in the new tattoo shop, for standing up against SA and harassment in the workplace!