Leading Advocacy Groups Call On Senate to Listen to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford

Leading Advocacy Groups Call for Brett Kavanaugh’s Confirmation Process to Be Halted Immediately, Given the Sexual Assault Allegations by Professor Christine Blasey Ford 

WASHINGTON, DC -- This weekend, Professor Christine Blasey Ford bravely and patriotically came forward with allegations of sexual assault against Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh. Today, the leaders of progressive advocacy groups are coming together with one clear message: We believe Professor Ford.

Leaders of the progressive movement are calling for Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation process to stop and for his nomination to be rejected.

Dawn Laguens, Planned Parenthood Action Fund: “These serious allegations of sexual violence are further disqualifying and cement that Brett Kavanaugh is unfit to serve on the highest court in the land. Sexual assault is a violent abuse of power and should disqualify anyone from serving on the highest court in the land. Every day, Planned Parenthood is a resource for those who have experienced sexual assault, for counseling, STI testing and treatment, and other health care. Our doctors and nurses are often listening ears when our patients have nowhere else to turn. Now, it is time for those in power to listen to women.” 

Vanita Gupta, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights: “The allegations of sexual assault by Brett Kavanaugh are incredibly serious. The Senate Judiciary Committee must immediately halt the nomination. The Leadership Conference and our civil and human rights coalition are calling for a fair, comprehensive, nonpartisan investigation of Kavanaugh while respecting Dr. Ford’s privacy. It is imperative that investigators are trauma-informed professionals who have the training and experience needed to treat survivors of sexual assault with the respect and privacy they deserve. Senators and their staff are not a substitute for this process.”

Fatima Goss Graves, National Women's Law Center: “What was indisputable almost three decades ago, remains so today: Sexual harassment and sexual violence are behaviors that must never be excused or explained away. They are human rights violations that go against our country’s core, and simply have no place as part of the character of a Supreme Court justice. We stand with our partners calling for a fair and thorough investigation and agree that simply cannot happen before Thursday’s planned vote.”

Ilyse Hogue, NARAL Pro Choice America: “It is NARAL’s position and the position of our members that Brett Kavanaugh should withdraw his nomination immediately. We’re asking every single senator to not just ask for delay but to do what’s required in putting our country over partisan politics and support withdrawing this nominee. Women will not stand for the mistreatment of Dr. Ford, we will be watching.”

Nan Aron, Alliance for Justice: “We believe Dr. Ford. She came forward knowing full well the abuse that was heaped on Prof. Anita Hill and the abuse that has been heaped on other women,” said Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron, who was instrumental in bringing Prof. Hill’s story to the Senate. “Dr. Ford should not be forced to testify, but if she chooses to do so voluntarily, we respect her decision. And the rush to confirm this nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, must come to a stop." 

Janai Nelson, NAACP Legal Defense Fund: “The sexual assault allegations made by Professor Christine Blasey Ford underscore the costs of the majority’s failure to thoroughly and impartially vet Judge Kavanaugh’s full record and background. LDF’s stated opposition to this nominee, which is supported by a 94-page detailed analysis of his available record and a supplemental analysis of new records that just recently became available, has only deepened.  We implore the Senate to act in the interest of the Court and the American people, and halt this process immediately.”

Marge Baker, People For the American Way: “Our message is simple: we believe Dr. Blasey Ford, and the Senate has an obligation to take her allegations seriously. This confirmation process needs to be halted and senators need to ensure that there’s a thorough and nonpartisan investigation into Brett Kavanaugh’s behavior.” 

Kavanaugh is the least popular Supreme Court nominee in three decades— especially among women. If confirmed, he would shift the balance of the Supreme Court away from constitutional rights, including the right to have an abortion. So far, his nomination has been met with widespread grassroots opposition across the country, which has only been amplified by Professor Ford’s allegations.

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy.