FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 3, 2020
Rhode Island Activists Head to Maine to Urge Senator Collins to Let the People Decide and Oppose a Nomination Before Inauguration
The Womxn Project is joining people from across the region to converge in Portland to ensure Senator Collins keeps her word this time.
(Providence, RI) – Statement by The Womxn Project on a mobilization in-person in Portland, ME and push for virtual action around the Supreme Court:
In the days since the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, much has been said about her legacy, but also what is at stake with an open seat on the highest court in this country. But it was just hours later that Trump made his intent clear – he wants to rush a process that decides on a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court that will have an impact for generations to come. But there are some senators who may stand up against him and the American people have made it clear they do not want to see a vote before the elections.
Senator Collins has said she is concerned about the politicization of the Supreme Court, but the fact is her party is the one playing political games. Trump has made it very clear that he wants to stack the bench with people who will undo key gains that have been made in recent years. He wants to take away healthcare from millions by getting rid of the ACA and he has promised ultra-extremist supporters that he will get rid of Roe v. Wade and try to eliminate the right to abortion.
But that’s not it. His nominee, Amy Coney Barrett is someone who has no respect for religious liberty. She thinks your boss should get to decide if your insurance pays for your contraception and supports forcing students to pray in school – against their will. She is way out of touch with Rhode Island values.
We simply cannot stand by and be silent. Elections are already underway and ballots are being mailed. This is not a decision that should be made at this time. The Senate should let the people decide who they want to be in power and make these kinds of huge decisions – not jam it through in some takeover by Trump and his cronies. We are speaking out today and we will continue to show up to fight for justice!
____________________
“More than two million people have already voted in this country. They should have a say in the direction of our country, including such a serious decision as the future of the Supreme Court. We demand that Susan Collins do the right thing, the democratic thing, and commit to not confirming a nominee before Inauguration Day. And words are not enough. We need her to take specific action to work with her Senate colleagues to prevent a rushed confirmation process that goes against the will of the people and the spirit of the Constitution.” – Tammy Brown, The Womxn Project board of directors
“We are still waiting for the Senate to take action to address the millions who have lost their jobs or are now going without health insurance due to the pandemic and instead here they are playing political games with the Supreme Court. They don’t have time to provide relief to people who are truly in peril, but days before the election they are trying to jam through a nominee who would roll back decades of progress on everything from marriage equality and LGBT equality to abortion access, the Affordable Care Act, and the Equal Rights Amendment.” – Jocelyn Foye, director of The Womxn Project