Florida NOW

NOW Calls For Firing of Humane Society CEO

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Statement of NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

In a shocking abdication of moral authority, The Humane Society has voted to keep CEO Wayne Pacelle in his job even after an internal investigation corroborated three complaints of sexual harassment against him. The group also offered settlements to three other workers who spoke out about Pacelle’s misconduct and were demoted or dismissed.
Like Donald Trump, the Humane Society is engaged in a cover up in plain sight. Instead of trying to enable a sexual abuser, they should dismiss him. Instead of making excuses, they should be making reparations. Instead of silencing or attacking women who’ve suffered abuse, and those who defend them, the Humane Society should change its own culture.

The Humane Society needs to know this. Women are watching. We know when a charity deserves our support, and when it fails the most basic obligations of trust.

The Humane Society has no humanity. Fire Wayne Pacelle. Do it now.

Contact

Emily Imhoff, press@now.org, 951-547-1241

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

Donald Trump’s State of the Union address was notable for what he didn’t say. He didn’t address any of the issues that matter to women. In Donald Trump’s America, a president doesn’t need to care about women’s health, pay equity or gender equality. Donald Trump turned his speech into another episode of the reality TV show that is his presidency. He brought in special guests, made dramatic pronouncements from the podium, hyped his accomplishments and lied about his record. Once again, we saw the real Donald Trump—a braggart, a bully, a pretender who has no patience for serious subjects and no interest in solving urgent problems.

We didn’t hear a word of real leadership from Donald Trump, but this November, Donald Trump will hear us. We have a message for Donald Trump.

You can’t stop us with your tweets. You can’t stop is with your bullying and you can’t stop is with your hate speech. We’re marching to the polls in November, and Donald Trump, we’re voting against you.

Contact

Emily Imhoff, press@now.org, 951-547-1241

Last weekend’s Women’s March was a big event in Washington, DC. All the national media was there, and the program was broadcast live on C-Span.

As you know, Toni Van Pelt was one of the featured speakers, and she spoke powerfully and from the heart. The reporter from Politico who was covering the March quoted Toni:

“Today we’re sending Trump another message, look out your window,” Toni Van Pelt, president of the National Organization for Women, told marchers in Washington. “See us, hear us, feel our power. You can’t stop us with your tweets, you can’t stop us with your bullying and you can’t stop us with your hate speech.”

For the full story in Politico, click here. And here’s a clip of her full speech.

This Tuesday, during Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech, Toni will be joining leaders of other women’s groups at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, at an event called the State of Our Union to showcase plans to unite, organize, and vote for a better future. We’re keeping the pressure on Donald Trump, and speaking our truth to power every chance we get!

Contact

Emily Imhoff, press@now.org, 951-547-1241