DFA responds to resignations of Sen. Al Franken, Rep. John Conyers
Today, Sen. Al Franken announced he would be resigning from the U.S. Senate in light of allegations of sexual misconduct. On Tuesday, Rep. John Conyers announced his own resignation in the wake of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. On Friday (12/1), Democracy for America called on both Franken and Conyers to resign.
Statement from Democracy for America, led by the four women on its directing team, responding to the resignation of Franken and Conyers:
"The departures of Senator Al Franken and Representative John Conyers represent the cracking of a dam that generations of men have constructed against accountability for sexual abuse, assault, harassment, and exploitation in the corridors of power in Washington.
“Our country owes a debt of gratitude to the survivors who bravely spoke up and the women and men -- some in power, many not -- who believed them, lifted up their voices, and built what became a crescendo of calls for justice. Equity in Congress and in millions of workplaces around our country will not be achieved by these resignations, but they set a floor on which the work for equity can be built.
At the same time, removing those who cause harm is only the beginning; we must also work to dismantle the systems of power and privilege that allow so many people in power to act without consequences.
“It’s also important to note that, right now, Democrats are alone in their willingness to confront the truth of sexual violence and harassment in our country. While Democrats are demanding accountability and working to deliver justice for survivors of sexual violence and abuse, Republicans, led by serial sexual assault perpetrator Donald Trump, are doubling down on their efforts to elect child predator Roy Moore to the U.S. Senate. The contrast could not be more stark.
“If there’s anything that the #MeToo movement has taught us, it’s that in a society built on widespread and long-ignored sexual violence and harassment no organization, company, or institution occupies an impervious moral high-ground. However, as Republicans continue to not to only ignore the problem of sexual violence and harassment, but actively make it worse by working to bring a child molester to Washington, it’s clear which political party is rolling around in the dirt.” -- Mia Moore, Chief of Staff; Kristina Powell, Finance Director; Mari Schimmer, Organizing Director; Annie Weinberg, Electoral Director; and all the directors and staff of the Democracy for America team.
Democracy for America is a people-powered progressive political organization with 35,431 members in Minnesota, 66,125 members in Michigan, and more than one million members nationwide.