WASHINGTON DC—Hundreds of protesters, activists, and progressive leaders joined together today to demand an end to sexual predator Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination. Protesters filled the halls of the Hart Senate Office Building and told harrowing personal stories of sexual assault outside the offices of Senator Susan Collins and Senator Jeff Flake as they demanded the Senators oppose Kavanaugh's nomination. Participants included 115 Yale Law students; Women's March leaders Linda Sarsour, Bob Bland, Tamika Mallory; activist Winnie Wong; national healthcare activist Ady Barkan; Center for Popular Democracy and CPD Action Co-Executive Director Ana Maria Archila, VOTEPROCHOICE Co-Founder Heidi Sieck, and over 30 protesters from Senator Collins' home state of Maine. The number of protesters in the Capitol today more than tripled since last week, when over 300 were in attendance. 109 were arrested in various actions. ***Video from Hart Building***

 

“We cannot continue this country’s long history of ignoring the violence that women endure from day one. I know about that violence. I was five and he was fifteen — but we are not believed when we tell our stories," said Ana Maria Archila, Co-Executive Director at the Center for Popular Democracy and CPD Action. "In this country, we must begin to believe people who experience sexual violence. It is not too much to ask that we don’t put someone in the Supreme Court who violated a woman at the age of 15. It’s not too much to ask Senator Flake, Senator Collins and everyone in the judiciary committee vote no. In this country, we must believe women. We must believe victims of sexual violence.”

 

“Dropping their own version of fake news today is just another disgusting tactic by the White House to silence survivors. It’s clear they will do anything to distract America from Brett Kavanaugh’s dumpster fire nomination,” said Tamika Mallory of Women’s March. “Thousands of women, femmes, and allies, here in Washington and in communities across America, walked out today in support of survivors. We aren’t fooled, we won’t be silenced, and we plan to show up to make any anti-woman and anti-survivor candidates pay in November. We’re here and we aren’t going anywhere.”  

 

“After Dr. Ford’s story are out, Senator Flake demanded that there be a full investigation. We hope that he’ll back up those words with a moral vote and vote 'no'. We’re here in the Capitol with thousands of people who have traveled across the country to stand with Dr. Ford, to stand with Deborah Ramirez, to stand with the millions of women, children, and young people who experience assault and sexual violence every day. We’re asking Senator Flake to be a hero. We’re asking Senator Flake to vote no on the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh. We’re asking all 100 Senators to vote no. This is a sham process and the whole world is watching. You will be held accountable," said activist Winnie Wong.

 

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