Students, faculty, staff, and administrators walked out of their classrooms and work spaces at SUNY Broome as part of the National Walkout and Moment of Solidarity for Christine Blasey Ford.
By Professor Scott Corley
This past Monday, on Sept. 24, demonstrations occurred throughout the U.S. that called for members of Congress to take acts of sexual violence seriously. The nationwide walkouts were sparked by suspicions and concerns about Brett Kavanaugh’s worthiness to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, particularly in light of recent sexual assault allegations against him. Members of SUNY Broome’s campus community participated in these rallies by gathering at the flagpole in front of the Wales administration building on Monday at approximately 1 p.m. (EST).
National organizers explained that the event represented a collective statement of solidarity that asks the U.S. Senate and the Courts to reflect “modern law and the will of the country” and show commitment to “the promise of justice” for all survivors of sexual assault.”
One of the faculty members in attendance wrote that he came out to the flagpole because, “sometimes, when the stakes are high, Americans are called to step forward and state their opinions, even in situations when they otherwise wouldn’t.” He went on to state that “I strongly believe that a credible allegation of sexual assault ought to disqualify anyone from a position on the Supreme Court. Sexual assault is a major problem, and silence and ‘boys will be boys’ excuses won’t solve it. I was proud to stand with my colleagues, and I want any of my students who have suffered abuse to know that I will support them.”
As a long-time supporter of civic expression and social justice, I am also proud to have stood with my colleagues and students on Monday. I encourage all members of the campus to take advantage of future opportunities to not only express their voices as citizens, but also as socially responsible, justice-oriented, community members.
