Statement of NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly must resign. His pathetic defense of staff secretary Rob Porter reveals his true nature—an enabler of sexual abusers, a betrayer of trust and an avoider of responsibility.

Why did John Kelly continue to support Rob Porter after he was told about Porter’s history of abuse? Why did he allow a man who was denied a security clearance because of his history of violence against women to continue in a high ranking position of trust? Why did he talk Rob Porter out of resigning, telling him he could “weather the storm,” according to press accounts?

General Kelly should know better. As a military commander, he took pride in protecting his troops. As chief of staff, it is his duty to protect the people who serve in the White House. Women who work for John Kelly are asking themselves today if they can trust General Kelly to protect them from sexual predators.

Clearly, they can’t. John Kelly has shown his true colors. He’s on Team “Grab Them By The Pussy,” leaving women who are victimized by sexual violence to fend for themselves.

John Kelly must go. Today.

Contact

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

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