"Please do not silence survivors who know that rapists rarely rape only once, nor do they limit their abuses of power to that single act."
^^ This was my closing comment that was cut off in today's redistricting commission meeting.
^^ This was my closing comment that was cut off in today's redistricting commission meeting.
My comments from the beginning:
In May, I raised the potential for blackmail as a reason why Joe Fain’s rape allegation is relevant. Today, I’d like to talk about how abuses of power tend to work.
In May, I raised the potential for blackmail as a reason why Joe Fain’s rape allegation is relevant. Today, I’d like to talk about how abuses of power tend to work.
This districting process is imbued with incredible power to shape our state for the next decade. Given that, everyone involved -- Commissioners, staff, media, and the public -- should be on guard against any abuses of power, real or perceived.
An example of an abuse of power could be Fain drawing a 47th district that he or one of his cronies could win next time.
At the societal level, we see again and again that abuse of power in one area frequently coincides with abuse of power in other areas.
Weinstein, Nasser, Epstein, Gaetz all abused financial, positional and political power to enrich and empower themselves, to avail themselves of access to women’s bodies, regardless of consent, and to ward off consequences repeatedly, for decades.
When Joe Fain was appointed to this position, hundreds of people expressed concern that he would abuse his power in this role.
nwpcwa.org/joefain
nwpcwa.org/joefain
He proved us right in May when he made veiled threats of legal action, reeking of an intention to intimidate and threaten -- not only me -- but anyone else who dared to raise the issue of his alleged rape.
For the other commissioners, I have these requests. 1) Please do not allow him to further abuse his power on this Commission. 2) Please do not allow him to draw his old district to favor a future run by him or his cronies.
3) Please do not silence survivors who know that rapists rarely rape only once, nor do they limit their abuses of power to that single act.
In case you're not familiar with the history, there are three years of articles and a timeline captured here: meetjoefain.com
And here is Joe Fain's initial draft of new boundaries of a 47th legislative district, which does in fact look like it would be easier for him or one of his cronies to win.
https://twitter.com/MelissaWPTaylor/status/1440169669424418817
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
