Statement of NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

Today Senate leaders announced they would not vote on the Graham-Cassidy bill–the latest attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Once again, we’re breathing a sigh of relief, and gearing up for the next challenge ahead.

Since Donald Trump’s inauguration, ultra-conservative lawmakers have tried over and over again to push disastrous health care bills through Congress. They have continued to fail because the people of the United States–especially women–do not want their health care taken away. Slashing access to abortion, birth control, maternity care, and a host of other services that women rely on would devastating. This victory is owed to the grassroots activists across the nation who got on the phone, or got out the door, and told their senators just how devastating it would be.

We’re thrilled this bill has failed, but we know the GOP isn’t planning to give up. Neither are we. Grassroots activism has defeated every attempt to repeal the ACA, and we’re ready to organize and mobilize to make sure everyone has access to the health care they need.

Contact
M.E. Ficarra, press@now.org, 951-547-1241

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