Lotte Brewer, 21, holding sign at the Cancel Kavanaugh protest in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Gabrielle Greene
Hundreds rallied in downtown Cleveland Saturday to protest the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
Organizers for the Women’s March of Northeast Ohio led the event as part of the group’s “No Justice, No Seat” protest series all through Ohio.
Protestors chanted throughout the demonstration, gave speeches at the Free Stamp, and carried signs. For those who could not hear them speak, here is what they wrote.
Credit: Photo by Emma Bredthauer
Kavanaugh’s nomination became contentious once Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein was publicized. The letter described Kavanaugh allegedly sexually assaulting Ford while they were high school students in the 1980s. Two other accusers, Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick, came forward, offering their accounts of Kavanaugh’s sexual misconduct. Ford gave testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee Sept. 27.
Credit: Photo by Lotte Brewer
The demonstration touched on Kavanaugh’s political views as well as his misconduct allegations. Organizers described the protest on the Facebook event page, writing, “All of our lives are literally on the line as Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court threatens to roll back women’s rights, voting rights, LGTBQ rights, and more.”
Credit: Photo by Rosie Kerwin
The protest began at the Free Stamp, ultimately traveling to Senator Rob Portman’s office. Event speaker Kenyona Sunny Matthews, 36, noted that Portman is also at fault.
“The confirmation of Kavanaugh is a disgusting display of privilege and power. Our elected officials have betrayed us. Portman has betrayed us,” Matthews tells Scene.
The Women’s March is not alone in leading Kavanaugh protests. The Democratic Socialists of America also organized a sit-in in Senator Portman’s office last Thursday to urge Portman not to support Kavanaugh.
Members of the DSA outside Senator Rob Portman’s Cleveland office building Credit: Photo by Gabrielle Greene
Now, after Kavanaugh’s confirmation, the Women’s March of Northeast Ohio urges citizens to vote in this year’s midterm elections Nov. 6.
“We will run against all those trying to set our country back 30 years,” Matthews says. “We will vote you out.”
4 replies on “Signs to Remember from the Cleveland Protests Against Kavanaugh’s Confirmation This Weekend”
Oh, the tears of unfathomable sadness… Yummy yummy!
It’s a shame that these women and their experiences were used to further the agenda of the Democrat party. The chance for these women to have their real stories heard was wasted by turning it into another basic political protest with the same chants and rhetoric that was at last week’s protest for whatever.
The Refuse Fascism group showed up with their giant no trump banner they used to block all the other signs like it was their protest.
Very low turnout. Extremely disappointing.
If SCENE had stuck around long enough, EVERY sign could have been photographed and reproduced here.
Hell, the “Impeach Trump” march last year (July of ’17) drew more people than this one did, and Saturday’s outcome will shape the lives of Millennials for next 30 years. If you can’t bother to show up for the things that matter, at least get off your ass and VOTE!
Oh, the tears of unfathomable sadness… Yummy yummy!
It’s a shame that these women and their experiences were used to further the agenda of the Democrat party. The chance for these women to have their real stories heard was wasted by turning it into another basic political protest with the same chants and rhetoric that was at last week’s protest for whatever.
The Refuse Fascism group showed up with their giant no trump banner they used to block all the other signs like it was their protest.
Very low turnout. Extremely disappointing.
If SCENE had stuck around long enough, EVERY sign could have been photographed and reproduced here.
Hell, the “Impeach Trump” march last year (July of ’17) drew more people than this one did, and Saturday’s outcome will shape the lives of Millennials for next 30 years. If you can’t bother to show up for the things that matter, at least get off your ass and VOTE!