Protest Groups Launch Massive Nationwide Protests In Support Of Kavanaugh Victim

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The protesters are back, again. President Donald Trump’s pick for the U.S. Supreme Court Brett Kavanaugh faced high profile protests throughout his public confirmation hearings, when dozens were arrested daily just inside the committee room. Now, in the face of credible sexual assault allegations against the judge, progressive groups across the country are planning another round of protests for this week.

The efforts coincide with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford preparing to go before the U.S. Senate on Thursday. The woman who’s brought forth her story of assault and attempted rape at Kavanaugh’s hands was originally set to testify before the Senate on Monday, when the first round of protests have been planned. Similar in fashion to some nationwide “walkout” protests against gun violence, across the country, supporters will be walking out of their workplaces — and schools, etc. — early Monday afternoon, at 1 P.M. Eastern Time.

At the same time, in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., concerned interests will gather for a “survivors’ speakout,” allowing those who have suffered the burden of sexual assault to share their stories.

NARAL — a prominent women’s rights organization — explained:

‘Dr. Blasey Ford has bravely come forward with her story of sexual assault at the hands of Brett Kavanaugh, despite knowing this will come at great cost to her life and her family. Her willingness to testify in the face of relentless bullying, victim-blaming, and unfair Committee process by Republicans is yet another symbol of her courage and her willingness to speak her truth. She is not alone. Allies want her to know they have her back.’

In the time since Dr. Blasey Ford’s story became public, as NARAL notes, she’s faced intense scrutiny.

The president himself has gone after her, claiming that her allegations have little merit because the supposedly serious assault wasn’t reported to authorities — although the vast majority of sexual assaults aren’t. She’s also faced death threats that have prompted her to leave her home behind and basically go into hiding, her legal team has explained.

The story mirrors that of too many assault victims across the United States and world, and many of them have had enough.

Thursday, another round of protests will take place, with many of the same groups behind Monday’s efforts involved. On the day when Ford is currently set to appear before Congress, protesters will march from the U.S. Supreme Court building to the Hart Senate Office Building early in the morning, where they will hold a press conference at 9 A.M.

The protesters have a number of high profile allies, like celebrities Samantha Bee, Alyssa Milano, and Chelsea Handler and Democratic U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand, who has insisted that Kavanaugh’s nomination should be withdrawn.

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She made that call after the emergence of a second story of suffering sexual misconduct at Kavanaugh’s hands emerged, this one from a college classmate of his, Deborah Ramirez. She brought out her story via a piece in The New Yorker on Sunday, and the fallout from that compounding is still unfolding.

On top of that, high profile lawyer Michael Avenatti says that he has evidence against the judge that hasn’t come out yet.

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In other words, this remains a very active situation.

Featured Image via YouTube screenshot