BREAKING: UltraViolet Responds to the Resignation of NY Governor Andrew Cuomo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, August 10, 2021
CONTACT: Anna Zuccaro | anna@unbendablemedia.com
BREAKING: UltraViolet Responds to the Resignation of NY Governor Andrew Cuomo
Women’s Group Praises Survivors for Demanding Justice; Says Resignation Was Necessary, but More Needed to Hold Cuomo & His Enablers Accountable
ALBANY, NY — Moments ago, Andrew Cuomo announced he will resign as Governor of New York in response to a detailed report from Attorney General Letitia James about Cuomo’s sexual harassment and assault of at least 11 women.
In response, Bridget Todd, Director of Communications for UltraViolet, a national women’s advocacy organization and one of the first groups to demand Cuomo’s resignation in March, issued the following statement:
“Andrew Cuomo used his position of power as Governor of New York to abuse his employees and sexually harass women. Cuomo’s resignation today is a monumental victory for survivors and a clear signal to all elected officials that sexual abuse and harassment will not be tolerated. Good riddance.
“We are grateful to Charlotte Bennett, Lindsey Boylan, Virginia Limmiatis, Alyssa McGrath, Ana Liss and Anna Ruch, who had the courage to come forward, share their experiences and demand justice. What they sacrificed to come forward – knowing that they would be attacked by Governor Cuomo and his allies – should not be lost on anyone. We are grateful to them for sharing the truth.
“We are also grateful to Attorney General Letitia James, whose objective, comprehensive investigation into the allegations against Andrew Cuomo proves that abusers can be held accountable. AG James provided us with a model for how to address serious accusations against abusers in positions of power.
“Cuomo’s upcoming resignation is a victory for the #MeToo movement, but much more is needed to ensure that such behavior will never be tolerated anywhere. Cuomo must be held accountable for breaking the law; his enablers must be held accountable for their attempts to hide the truth.”
UltraViolet has been calling for Cuomo’s removal from office since March 2021. Following the release of New York Attorney General Letitia James’ report corroborating that “Gov. Cuomo sexually harassed several women,” UltraViolet has:
Commissioned an airplane banner at the New York State Capitol in March calling for Cuomo’s resignation.
Called for an independent investigation into Cuomo’s actions with a joint organizational letter in March
Called for Governor Cuomo to resign, and if he refuses to resign, for the New York State legislature to move swiftly to impeach Governor Cuomo and remove him from office.
Flew a plane over the State Capitol building in Albany demanding Governor Cuomo’s immediate removal from office. The plane banner read: “THE REPORT IS IN, REMOVE CUOMO NOW.”
UltraViolet commissioned ads to run in New York’s airports reading “WELCOME TO NEW YORK. WHERE OUR GOVERNOR, ANDREW CUOMO, IS A SEXUAL ABUSER.” Those ads were rejected by LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International airports.
UltraViolet signed onto a letter organized by the National Women’s Law Center calling on New York State legislators to remove Governor Cuomo from office.
UltraViolet organized a letter signed by more than 500+ sexual abuse survivors in New York calling on the New York State Senate to move quickly to remove Governor Cuomo from office.
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