The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Thursday from Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and a woman who says Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a high school party.
Christine Blasey Ford was only 15-years-old when she says Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her. She kept her alleged assault a secret for over 30 years until writing a letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein over the summer.
Central New Yorkers gathered in Clinton Square on Thursday to show their support for Blasey Ford and other survivors of sexual assault.
“The issue of sexual abuse, attack and harassment are cross-sectional,” Silvia Macor, a women’s rights activist, said. “It crosses the boundary of gender, race, class, immigration status and party lines.”
One of the speakers at the protest was State Senate Candidate Rachel May. She spoke about the mistakes that were made in 1991, with a similar situation during Justice Clarence Thomas’ nomination process. May said that it is ridiculous to rush the confirmation vote until all accusations can be investigated.
“I think everybody needs to stand for women who are having the courage to step up and make these kinds of statements about their experience,” May said. “It’s essential that we show our support for them.”
Protest organizers said the goal of Thursday’s protest is to make sure politicians who work in the Federal Building hear their complaints and do not confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
“A big problem that we have had is that there is silence around these issues,” protester Marianna Kaufman said. “People feel that they are not able to be supported when they come out.”
Kaufman and other protesters said they wanted to stand with alleged victims like Blasey Ford to support the decision to come forward and talk about sexual assault.
The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network said that an American is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds.
