Epstein Survivors Testifying
Plus: a serious drawing and a bonus not-serious one
Because of some news today, I though I’d repost this. It was not published anywhere but online. I say that because I still believe the patriarchy controls way too much.
We won’t get justice for the women who were taken advantage of by Epstein until Trump is removed from office, or possibly when the Democrats take control of Congress.
House Democrats are holding a “shadow hearing” in Florida today, where survivors of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell will testify publicly under oath for the first time about their abuse. Thanks to the Parnas Report for alerting me to this news, as it is not on the NY Times homepage (I recommend following Aaron Parnas).
This is the first time speaking publicly for many of them. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be. This story is not being cover by the mainstream legacy media, only The New Republic and locally in Flordia, where it is being live-streamed here.
In Manhattan, a pop-up installation called "The Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room," has been created where people can go in and see the Epstein Files, all roughly 3.5 million of them. Because the Department of Justice failed to redact the names of some of the victims included in the documents, the general public is not allowed to consult the files.
Speaking to a reporter at the French newspaper, Le Monde, one of the creators said, “We’re a pro-democracy organization, with the goal of educating the public using these kinds of sort of pop-up museums and other in-real-life experiences to help people understand the corruption in the United States, the dangers to democracy,” David Garrett, one of the creators behind the project, told Agence France-Presse.
Garrett said he believes “there needs to be real public outcry” about how the Trump administration has handled the document release, with many accusing justice officials of covering up Trump’s ties to Epstein. “And what we attempted to do here was to create, or help to create public outcry to have real accountability,” he added. The exhibit is open to the public until May 21.
To view the room, reservations are required and can be made on the website of the organizers. I’m going next week and will film it for you, maybe do a live broadcast if they let me.
Also on the site, there are action suggestions:
Across the country, organizers and advocates are working every day to support survivors of sexual assault — and to change the laws, systems, and culture that let this violence continue. We hope you’ll support them with your time, your money, and your voice.
me too. International is a convener, thought leader, and organizer in the global movement to end sexual and gender-based violence, grounded in Black feminist principles and survivor-led healing and action.
SOAR (Speak Out. Act. Reclaim) Founded by Virginia Giuffre, SOAR empowers survivors to reclaim their stories and bring an end to sex trafficking.
World Without Exploitation is the largest national coalition in the United States dedicated to ending the commercial sexual exploitation of children and adults, both online and offline.
NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault The Alliance leads New York City’s mission to end sexual violence through education, prevention programming, research, and policy advocacy.
It’s a gorgeous day here, I hope you are enjoying the nice spring weather like I am. Thank you for being here, see you tomorrow! Closing out with a lighter cartoon for you. Don’t ask what these creatures are, I have no idea.
The Miami Herald, which is a mainstream "legacy" newspaper -- whose investigative series led to this case in the first place, is covering the hearing. We do not generally advance events that aren't open to the public. But we are covering it, as we also covered Virginia Giuffre's memorial two weeks ago. I appreciate the fact that Aaron is covering it so religiously, but the Herald is as well -- and I would encourage you to subscribe to the Herald for our coverage, which is ongoing.
Such an important piece today, Liza. Never ceases to be astonishing the amount of evidence that demands (if not requires) the need for an accounting of one of the ugliest- but not close to sole - organized dehumanizing abuse of young women in this country (and world wide).
That so many men appear to casually shrug off the practice of using vulnerable human beings as disposable trading chips might be a revelation to some - but it’s not to most. And still, no real effort to give the survivors some justice, or even the respect they deserve for stepping forward.
Thank you for what you persist in placing before us. This should never disappear.