A range of celebrities and lawmakers on Monday voiced their support for a national #BelieveSurvivors walkout, which was organized in support of the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her in the 1980s.
More than 80 progressive groups planned to stage walkouts at 1 p.m. on Monday in solidarity with Christine Blasey Ford, who had been originally requested to appear Monday in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee to give testimony. The organizers of the walkout encouraged supporters to use the hashtag #BelieveSurvivors on social media and to wear black.
Ford is now set to testify at a Thursday hearing.
"Wore black today in support of all survivors of sexual assault or abuse. We won't let them be silenced or ignored. #BelieveSurvivors" Sen. Kamala Harris
Kamala Devi HarrisCory Booker addresses speculation about his sexuality: 'I'm heterosexual' Biden, Sanders lead field in Iowa poll The 2020 Democratic nomination will run through the heart of black America MORE (D-Calif.), a member of the Judiciary Committee, wrote on Twitter.
Wore black today in support of all survivors of sexual assault or abuse. We won't let them be silenced or ignored. #BelieveSurvivors pic.twitter.com/immVdGsepx
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 24, 2018
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro PelosiTrump finds himself isolated in shutdown fight Key Trump aide on willingness to shut down government over wall: ‘If it comes to it, absolutely’ Impatience, exuberance will define new Congress MORE (D-Calif.) also joined in, tweeting that "we have to stand up for what is right and #BelieveSurvivors."
We have to stand up for what is right and #BelieveSurvivors. The @FBI must be allowed to investigate all credible allegations before Thursday’s hearing.
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) September 24, 2018
Other lawmakers who participated or voiced support for the walkouts included Democratic Reps. Lois Frankel
Lois Jane FrankelOcasio-Cortez storms Washington, winning headlines but rankling some colleagues Pelosi allies rage over tactics of opponents Pelosi allies push back on proposed Speaker nominee rule change MORE (Fla.), Yvette Clark (N.Y.) and Ted Lieu (Calif.).
Actress Kerry Washington, who starred in the ABC series "Scandal," tweeted that she was wearing black Monday in solidarity with Ford.
Actress Rachel Bloom, meanwhile, tweeted a photo showing her participating in a walkout.
Other celebrities who showed support on social media for the walkout included actresses Felicia Day, Connie Britton and Octavia Spencer.
Women must be heard. Today I am wearing black in solidarity with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. #BelieveSurvivors #TIMESUP #StopKavanaugh https://t.co/p4EQYfyC4J pic.twitter.com/gPNapo7GHr
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) September 24, 2018
We walked out of the writers room and off our show because we #BelieveSurvivors. pic.twitter.com/NiV47tSq96
— Rachel Bloom (@Racheldoesstuff) September 24, 2018
A number of rallies were also held Monday as part of the movement, including in New York and at the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington.
"Today, New York City is sending a message to Dr. Ford and every survivor: we are saying we hear you, we believe you, we stand with you."
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) September 24, 2018
– @NYCFirstLady#BelieveSurvivors pic.twitter.com/LW8NAGYhaH
Hundreds of women, femmes, and allies have flooded the Hart Senate Building to say #BelieveWomen #BeAHero #CancelKavanaugh.
— Women's March (@womensmarch) September 24, 2018
This is day one of week three. We aren’t slowing down anytime soon.
by @brookesaias pic.twitter.com/8VIop2eqRT
Monday's walkouts came after The New Yorker on Sunday reported that Senate Democrats are investigating a second sexual misconduct allegation against Kavanaugh, dating back to his freshman year at Yale University.
Kavanaugh is scheduled to testify Thursday in relation to Ford's accusation. Ford has said that Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed and attempted to remove her clothes, covering her mouth with his hand to silence her cries.
