Statement from NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – From protecting women’s reproductive health and equal pay, to immigration reform and the importance of the female vote in the upcoming elections, women’s issues are dominating headlines every single day. The National Organization for Women (NOW) begins its annual conference today in Minneapolis, with events revolving around this year’s theme: “Feminist Agenda Rising: Our Time is Now.” NOW and its members are coming together to discuss how to tackle the most important issues confronting women today across all races and in all communities.

In a statement, NOW President Toni Van Pelt said,

“As NOW members gather in Minneapolis for our Annual Conference, we call on the presidential candidates to show their commitment to feminist values and prioritize issues that strengthen women’s rights.

At the conclusion of this year’s conference, we will be distributing a Presidential Candidates Checklist for our members to use when choosing a candidate in the most consequential presidential election we’ve ever witnessed.

It’s going to take more than a candidate to beat Donald Trump.  It’s going to take a platform.  Over the next two days, NOW members will be engaged in workshops that share experiences and empower activism, on topics including racial justice, fixing how we pay for health care, using social media, lobbying legislators and lobbying for the ERA, among others.

Our platform will be the blueprint for the way we’ll work with a feminist, woman President.”

Contact

Kimberly Hayes, Press Secretary, press@now.org, 202-570-4745

Statement from NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s far past time Alexander Acosta resigned. Since December, the National Organization for Women has been calling on him to leave his post as Secretary of Labor. Acosta allowed Jeffrey Epstein, a serial child molester, to use his wealth, power and influence to escape serious penalties for his crimes. The charges brought against him should have resulted in Epstein spending the rest of his life in prison —but instead, he played “let’s make a deal” to subvert justice and escape punishment.   

Alexander Acosta perpetuated the culture of sexual harassment and assault that is a core theme in the anti-women Trump administration – thank goodness he is gone, but we still have work to do.  

Contact

Kimberly Hayes, Press Secretary, press@now.org, 202-570-4745

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Recent reporting confirms that migrants are being subjected to inhumane conditions at detention centers run by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agency. Furthermore, an investigation by ProPublica revealed abhorrent online behavior of CBP agents targeting both women and people of color with hostile and derogatory remarks. NOW stands against the mistreatment of migrants and condemns the pervasive culture of sexism and racism at CBP. We call for these cruel policies and detention centers to end.  

The CBP has the lowest percentage of women on their force out of any federal law enforcement agency. This troubling fact clearly manifests itself in the misogynistic and racist behavior exhibited by CBP agents. Additional reports from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ visit to these centers demonstrate an extremely troubling environment and a toxic culture. If these agents treat Congressional representatives with cruelty and disdain, one can only imagine how terribly migrants are treated. 

The United States must be held to a higher standard. Women of color have been the targets of sexist and racist abuse for too long and it must stop. NOW stands with immigrants. We stand with people of color. And we stand with women. CBP must be held accountable for their actions.  

Contact

Kimberly Hayes, Press Secretary, press@now.org, 202-570-4745