The Woman Project is headed to your office today to let you know that Joseph DeLorenzo should not be in a position of leadership. If he refuses to resign because of his attacks on Rep. Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, Rep. Teresa Tanzi, other elected officials, and a majority of voting Democrats in Rhode Island, then it is time for the party to remove him.
The RI State Democratic Committee is made of a committeemen and committeewomen from each House District. By bringing our message to you, we will be able to reach the entire caucus and express our concerns to the most influential lawmaker in our state.
This is not a partisan issue, this is an issue of human decency. We cannot have someone in a leadership role who belittles women while admitting to sexual harassment himself. We cannot have someone in a leadership role who undermines civils rights and the validity of elections. Keeping DeLorenzo in a position of leadership is toxic for this state.
I am a co-founder of The Woman Project, and created an online petition on Monday night after DeLorenzo’s first hideous comments were published. The petition has since grown to 550+ signers. In addition, numerous elected officials and Democratic Committee Members have signed a statement calling for DeLorenzo’s resignation. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, the President of the Senate, and Democratic Women’s Caucus have all called for his resignation. Support has been so widespread, we just don’t understand why he is still the 2nd Vice Chair.
DeLorenzo’s continued role in leadership, despite the calls for his resignation, highlights the culture of sexism and racism inherent in the Rhode Island power structure. Your silence on DeLorenzo illustrates that Rhode Island is an old boys club intent on protecting itself despite the will of the people. You have committed to addressing sexual harassment next session, but it needs to be addressed immediately in the party leadership. Please join so many others in Rhode Island and call for DeLorenzo’s immediate resignation.
Sincerely,
Jordan Hevenor
The Woman Project
The 550+ Rhode Islanders who have signed the attached petition.