By Dawn Perkins, Editor
(Image: Protestors outside of Los Angeles City Hall against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press)
Buses honked and swarms of people blocked streets, causing an uproar in front of Los Angeles City Hall. Bullhorns boomed throughout the square as men and women shouted, waving posters and large signs to make a statement.
The protestors gathered outside of Los Angeles City Hall on Sunday, Oct. 7 were angry that Brett Kavanaugh was sworn in as a Supreme Court Associate Justice. Kavanaugh was previously accused of sexually assaulting three women.
“It wasn’t surprising that he won, but it is disappointing,” said Delane Magee, a Long Beach State student who attended the gathering at City Hall.
Controversy has surrounded Kavanaugh’s nomination, from his presidential endorsements to the sexual assault allegations from his past.
Colorful protest signs stating ‘Believe Women’ and protestors chanting “We won’t go back, we will fight back!” boosted the energy in the crowd.
Green held a “Solidarity with Christine #METOO” picket sign in an effort to support the gathering.
“Most sexual predators reoffend…it’s just scary to know that someone who is accused of sexual assault can be elected into a position of power."
Kavanaugh was first accused by California professor Christine Blasey Ford. She came forward with her accusations in an interview published by The Washington Post on Sep. 16.
She said that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her in the early 1980s. After her interview went public, two other women emerged with allegations of sexual assault from previous years.
Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.
“It’s in his past, but it shows that he’s capable of it,” said Sharmay Green, a resident of Cypress who attended the protest. “Most sexual predators reoffend…it’s just scary to know that someone who is accused of sexual assault can be elected into a position of power.”
Weeks before the associate justice was sworn in, the FBI carried out an investigation into the allegations. A hearing was held, including testimonies from the alleged victims of sexual assault.
Support for Kavanaugh
The final Senate vote was 50-48 on Oct. 6 in favor of confirming Kavanaugh as Associate Justice. He’s expected to help vote on key issues like gun rights, immigration, healthcare and abortion.
Kavanaugh was backed up by President Trump with several tweets in the past week.
President Trump tweeted, “The harsh and unfair treatment of Judge Brett Kavanaugh is having an incredible upward impact on voters. The people get it far better than the politicians. Most importantly, this great life cannot be ruined by mean & despicable Democrats and totally uncorroborated allegations!”
#MeToo Movement Gaining More Strength
The allegations and resulting controversy were viewed as a major test of the #MeToo movement.
“It shows women that no matter what you go through, right or wrong, there is always going to be a type of hierarchy,” said Leilani Stallings, a protestor who attended the gathering at Los Angeles City Hall.
Kavanaugh’s nomination to the high court left the public with negative impressions of the new Supreme Court justice and raised questions about his honesty.
“There is no way he should be placed in a higher position after what he’s done,” said Stallings. “That’s going to make more women feel like, what is the purpose of coming forward if there is going to be no discipline for the men or justification for the women?”
Stallings agrees that his appointment was disappointing.
“Kavanaugh’s appointment has been the result of oppressors in high positions…denying women basic freedoms and now they have the power to try and force their views on millions,” she said.
“That’s going to make more women feel like, what is the purpose of coming forward if there is going to be no discipline for the men or justification for the women?"
Many will not lose hope in creating change.
“There is nothing I can do but get involved as much as possible and vote in the midterm election,” said Green.
Planned Parenthood’s voting campaign has created a pledge statement for supporters to sign and declare their standpoint on the Senate and Kavanaugh’s position.
It states: “For all that you chose to overlook, there’s one thing you will be unable to ignore: millions of us, rallying in every town, marching down every street, voting at every polling place.”
