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Protesters Call on Senator Grassley to Cancel Vote on Kavanaugh’s Confirmation
DES MOINES, Iowa — After two women made allegations that Supreme Court Nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted them, protesters say they want Senator Chuck Grassley to know they don’t believe Kavanaugh has the country’s best interests at heart.
“We ask that you publicly oppose Kavanaugh and call to cancel the vote on his confirmation. Kavanaugh already poses a threat to millions of people, especially women,” Peggy Schmitt from UltraViolet said during the protest.
Protesters Rally Against Kavanaugh, and Back His Accusers: ‘The Wave of Women Is Here’
The protests brought together women and men across the country for rallies and a walkout organized by a coalition that included Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement, UltraViolet Action, Planned Parenthood and MoveOn.
Maine Protesters Want Susan Collins To Take A Stand On Brett Kavanaugh
“I think it has soured me on her a little that I don’t actually see her opposing his behavior or his appointees in any meaningful ways. I mean it’s one thing to be appalled at his tweets, but what are you doing about his appointees, what are you doing about his policies? So certainly since 2016 things have changed,” she says.
The protest, organized by Mainers for Accountable Leadership and the national women’s group UltraViolet Action, is part of an ongoing campaign to pressure Collins to vote against Kavanaugh, who has now been accused of sexual assault by two women.
Ads, protests pressure Collins, other key senators on Kavanaugh
Over the weekend, the progressive group UltraViolet launched an ad campaign telling Republican senators: “Don’t put another sexual predator on the Supreme Court.” It’s a digital ad in Maine but is airing on television in Nevada, Arizona and West Virginia.
Women Are Staging a Nationwide Walkout to Protest Brett Kavanaugh
“Ramirez’s story is yet more proof that Kavanaugh should have already withdrawn his nomination and his wholly disqualified from holding any office in government, let alone one on the highest court in the country,” Shauna Thomas, the executive director and cofounder of UltraViolet, a women’s group participating in Monday’s protests, said. “Now is the time for Republicans in the Senate to make it clear that they believe women and find violence against women wholly unacceptable demanding Kavanaugh withdraw his nomination immediately.
Christine Ford Could Be Cross-Examined If She Testifies — But Experts Say That Would Be “Bonkers”
“You don’t bring your character reference in for the people you’re interviewing for a job in order to cross examine their experience with the candidate,” says UltraViolet executive director and co-founder Shaunna Thomas. “You take it for what it is, you access whether or not you think what they have to say about that candidate is disqualifying, and then you make your choice.”
Palo Alto moms link arms in front of Christine Ford’s home, chant ‘Protect Christine’
While the Palo Alto neighbors marched in front of Ford’s house, the advocacy group UltraViolet hired a plane to fly over the region with a banner reading, “Thank you Christine. We have your back.”
“Ford has demonstrated tremendous courage in coming forward and sharing her story of how Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her. She is a hero and we have her back,” explained Shaunna Thomas, a co-founder of the women’s advocacy group. “Violence against women should have no place in our society and it certainly should have no place on the highest court in the nation. Brett Kavanaugh should withdraw his nomination.”
CBS chief executive Les Moonves is departing amid probe into allegations of sexual misconduct
Activists have been equally vocal about the move. Shaunna Thomas, co-founder of the women’s rights group Ultraviolet, also decried any possible payment.
“CBS’ decision to fire Moonves for cause is clearly the right decision. If they reward Moonves’ decades of sexual harassment with a massive golden parachute, it will be shameful and compounds the damage of his decades of unchecked abuse,” she wrote in a message to The Post. “As the first Fortune 500 company executive to be held accountable, CBS is setting the new standard that should become the norm across corporate America: ‘if you abuse women, you lose your job and your golden parachute.’”
Time’s Up Asks CBS to Drop Leslie Moonves Without Golden Parachute
Ultraviolet, a women’s advocacy group, had also called on the network not to settle with the network chief. “If the CBS board gives Moonves any amount of severance in the event of his termination or resignation, you will compound the damage you’ve already inflicted on the progress towards stopping sexual violence with your decision to allow Moonves to continue working,” stated UltraViolet co-founder and executive director Shaunna Thomas in a letter to the CBS board dated Aug. 23.
Why A Kavanaugh Protester Risked Arrest & Put Her Body On The Line, In Her Own Words
Along with fears about the future of the country, Shaunna Thomas protested Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing for young girls like her daughter — and was ultimately detained by U.S. Capitol Police for four hours.
“I believe it’s possible to be successful, but only if we are willing to put our own bodies on the line, and that’s what I had to do yesterday — not just for myself, not just for UltraViolet members, but frankly for my daughter,” Thomas, executive director and co-founder of the women’s advocacy group UltraViolet, tells Bustle of protesters’ efforts to block Kavanaugh’s confirmation.