Florida NOW

The gif showing Hillary Clinton being knocked down by a golf ball that Donald Trump released earlier this week is almost beyond outrage.

“Trump’s continued attacks on his former opponent reveal Trump’s true nature – that of an ignorant bully stuck in adolescence,” NOW President Toni Van Pelt said, “and he needs to stop it”

His actions give permission to aggressors who would abuse women. It is not okay for him to suggestively depict a violent action against anyone, let alone Hillary Clinton, a person of respected public stature. Trump’s offensive utterances clearly contribute to the climate of increased divisiveness and hatred the country is experiencing. His long record of demeaning and assaulting women has a pervasive spread that increases a risk of physical or verbal violence aimed at women. Trump’s endorsement of sexual assault on the Hollywood Access videotaped incident conveys the message that it’s alright for men to sexually abuse women.

Underlying this appalling behavior is the ugliness of white male supremacy that characterizes the attitudes of many officials in the current administration and many Republican legislators. If anyone thought that white male supremacy with its dangerous strain of misogyny was receding, Trump and his friends have brought it back bigtime. Right wing Republicans know that intimidation is a useful tool to ram through a harmful Affordable Care Act replacement bill, tax cuts for the rich and other regressive policies.

Trump’s offensive words and vulgar behavior has undercut the nation’s authority and reduced our status internationally. Elements of his speech before the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday displayed the Trump brand of bullying at the highest level. Many in the audience were stunned and embarrassed for the United States.

Finally, it’s astounding that the First Lady apparently ‘Does Not Get It.’ On Wednesday, Melania Trump returned to her earlier campaign promise of working against cyber bullying in a speech at a UN luncheon, saying that adults need to stand up and protect their children from such abuse via social media.

The twitter world exploded with sharp criticism. One comment: “Melania Trump talking about cyber bullying when her husband is the absolute worst offender is just Twilight Zone worth. Disturbing family.”

Another wrote, “Melania’s speech at the UN has to be a joke. HAS TO BE! She CANNOT be serious. Melanie (sic), go home and give this speech to your husband!!!”

We agree. Melania, please work on your husband. The country does not need a bully in the White House.

Contact press@now.org, 951-547-1241

Statement of NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

The National Organization for Women (NOW) welcomes the opportunity to participate in the March for Black Women and the Racial Justice March. NOW believes that changing the culture that marginalizes, disparages and excludes women, particularly women of color, is our most important work.

We were distressed to learn that the March had been scheduled on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, a date this year that fell on a date of infamy for the African American community. When we first became aware of the Marches and the letter of apology for the scheduling conflict we thought long and hard about lifting up of all our communities as allies even when there is conflict and what that might mean for our members.

This is a very unfortunate coincidence and situation, one we did not take lightly when we decided to endorse and support the March for Black Women and the Racial Justice March. But if we have learned anything in 50 years of organizing for change, it is that every setback is an opportunity to regroup, learn, and rededicate ourselves to advancing the cause of women’s rights.

In a statement, March for Racial Justice has said, in part,

Choosing this date, we now know, was a grave and hurtful oversight on our part. It was unintentional and we are sorry for this pain as well as for the time it has taken for us to respond. Our mistake highlights the need for our communities to form stronger relationships.

After the horrifying events of the past weekend in Charlottesville, and the remarks by the President suggesting that “both sides” are to blame, we understand more than ever the need for unity against those who hate us in our many identities. We have learned from our Jewish friends that Yom Kippur is a day of making amends and of asking and receiving forgiveness. We hope that our sincere apology will be received with compassion, and that we will build a stronger relationship among all our communities as a result.

(For the full statement, click here)

After consulting with a wide range of our members, Jewish and allies of the Jewish community, NOW has decided to continue our participation in the March. We commend the organizers of the March for their willingness to make amends, and their thoughtfulness in addressing this fissure. This is why the concept and practice of intersectionality is so important. We must remember we have a common oppressor and that we experience oppression in different ways. NOW recommits to addressing all oppressions.

To our Jewish members and community please be assured your voices and grief have been heard. The message that NOW will deliver during the March for Racial Justice – that we must unpack racism, and take the needs of marginalized sisters seriously, must never be silenced. Our highest ideal is to find the path to work together with women – all women – despite the seemingly impossible challenges of doing so. We will prevail – together.

Contact
Laura Gross, lgross@scottcircle.com, 202-695-8223

Donald Trump is a White Supremacist, And Sexist Fox Sports Analyst Clay Travis Poisoned The Airwaves Slamming Harris and Other Women

Statement of NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

In an appearance on CNN Friday, Fox Sports Analyst Clay Travis was asked to comment on ESPN host Jemele Hill’s remarks calling Donald Trump a white supremacist. First of all, we agree 100% with Jemele Harris – Donald Trump is a white supremacist. Travis should have been fired for his racist, sexist remarks, but he couldn’t stop there.

During that interview with CNN’s Brooke Baldwin, Travis said, “I’m a First Amendment absolutist. I believe in only two things completely, the First Amendment and boobs.” He went on to say they were “two things that have never let me down.”

To her credit, Brooke Baldwin shut down the interview and ended the segment. But National Organization for Women President Toni Van Pelt says it’s now up to Fox to enforce decency standards that viewers should be able to expect from the nation’s broadcasters.

“Fox Sports must fire Clay Travis immediately,” says Toni Van Pelt. “His smug and appalling behavior has no place on the airwaves. Did he think he was being funny? No. He was being disrespectful.. Did he think he was just acting like a jock? No. He was acting like an idiot. Does he think he’s entitled to spew his vile language and amoral principles in our living rooms? Not for another minute.”

Contact
Laura Gross, lgross@scottcircle.com, 202-255-2054