Women Walk Out Across The Country In Support Of Kavanaugh's Accusers
At 1 p.m. on Monday, supporters of the women who accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault walked out of their homes and workplaces.
The national walkout was promoted partially in response to the backlash these and other women face when going public with stories of sexual assault and rape. The anti-sexual-harassment organization Times Up tweeted on Sunday that “WOMEN MUST BE HEARD” in a “MOMENT OF SOLIDARITY” with Kavanaugh’s accusers, Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez.
It urged people to wear black and leave wherever they are in protest, using the hashtag #BelieveSurvivors on social media.
In New York, people dressed in black began to gather in Washington Square Park as the walkout began at 1 p.m. The crowd chanted “Believe survivors” and held signs that read, “#TimesUp Kavanaugh.”
Lisa Femia, 25, on the board of NYU Law Women, joined other law students in the park and said she was excited about the number of people who showed up in support.
“We thought it was important to get the entire law school community involved in support of women and survivors,” she said. “We want to make sure the Supreme Court represents women and has women’s best interests in mind.”
One woman brought a Trump doll to Washington Square so other women could tangibly get out their anger #BelieveSurvivors pic.twitter.com/sl9mpl6qSX
— Emma Gray (@emmaladyrose) September 24, 2018
Comedian Samantha Bee walked out with the staff of TBS’ “Full Frontal With Samantha Bee” “in solidarity with #MeToo” movement, she said on Twitter.
Our staff is walking out in solidarity with #MeToomvmt. #BelieveSurvivors pic.twitter.com/8O8FQlZfil
— Full Frontal (@FullFrontalSamB) September 24, 2018
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown walked out with her staff, tweeting, “I stand with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford.”
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I stand with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Today we walked out in solidarity with victims of sexual assault everywhere. #BelieveSurvivors #StopKavanaugh pic.twitter.com/rKsvL6ZL8f
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) September 24, 2018
In Washington, D.C., protesters filled the Hart Senate Office Building’s atrium:
The masses are walking out of the Senate Hart atrium right now. We stand with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez, and all survivors!
The Senate must reject Brett Kavanaugh's nomination and #BelieveSurvivors. pic.twitter.com/LP28fJvq6A— Planned Parenthood Action (@PPact) September 24, 2018
In California, some Disney employees walked out, including those at Disney Music Group:
The demonstrations came on the heels of a blockbuster report by The New Yorker’s Jane Mayer and Ronan Farrow, detailing allegations that Kavanaugh exposed himself to Ramirez and thrust his penis in her face at a party when the two attended Yale in the early 1980s.
On Monday morning, students filled the halls at Yale Law School in silent protest of Kavanaugh:
Yale Law School students fill a hallway sitting in silent protest over allegations that Brett Kavanaugh assaulted at least 2 women. pic.twitter.com/uxUwKoZkCT
— Kent Pierce (@kentpierce8) September 24, 2018
Last week, Blasey came forward publicly with allegations that Kavanaugh forced himself on her in high school.
“I thought he might inadvertently kill me,” Blasey told The Washington Post.
Lawyer Michael Avenatti, who represents Stormy Daniels in her ongoing court battle with President Donald Trump, says he also represents a client with “credible information regarding Kavanaugh” and a classmate of his at Georgetown Preparatory School who was reportedly in the room where the alleged assault on Blasey took place.
came all the way to White House on my damn wedding day to say I BELIEVE WOMEN and stand in solidarity with the brave women who came forward to tell their story #StopKanavaugh pic.twitter.com/J88I4BF5R6
— I believe women, stop Kavanaugh NOW (@gabrielleisback) September 24, 2018
This room full of Black women and allies from across the country stand with all survivors and we believe those who have accused Kavanaugh of horrific, illegal acts. #StopKavanaugh #BelieveSurvivors pic.twitter.com/Tqcy4cgvVZ
— In Our Own Voice (@BlackwomensRJ) September 24, 2018
I’m working from home but I walked out. #BelieveSurvivors #IBelieveHer pic.twitter.com/Cv6WAIToqX
— bludev (@bludev) September 24, 2018
Kavanaugh has denied the allegations. Several women’s rights groups, including NARAL, Planned Parenthood and the Women’s March, have called for the withdrawal of his nomination or a delay of his confirmation process.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.