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A2 UP FRONT
Friday 16 OctOber 2020
On #MeToo anniversary, leaders say focus is on inequality

Continued from Front cerns about what another
four years of President Don-
But after a groundswell of ald Trump would mean for
support from celebrities, survivors of sexual violence.
politicians, marches and "I think we are in a critical
more, they said it's been moment and survivors' voic-
challenging to keep the es in this moment should be
spotlight on the need for the loudest," Burke said.
funding to continue the "If we look at the two can-
fight against sexual vio- didates, for a lot of peo-
lence. ple, neither of them are
As Black women, they said their top choice," she said.
it's frustrating that many Trump has faced multiple
don't see the intersection accusations of assault and
of race and the sexual vio- harassment, all of which he
lence women of color en- denies. Earlier this year, a
dure. former Senate staffer ac-
"We've got to make that cused Democrat Joe Biden
connection clear for folks," of sexually assaulting her in
Ayers said. 1993, which Biden has de-
"We've seen money start nied.
to be pushed to Black-led "But this fight that we have
organizations and it needs will continue, not just for the
to happen, but sexual vio- Dani Ayers CEO of the #MeToo movement poses for a portrait in her home in Atlanta on Tuesday, next four years, it will con-
lence has not seen that Oct. 13, 2020. tinue for the next four dec-
same funding support. And Associated Press ades.
I think it's because folks of color. group has seen a 20% rise sources and why." We have a person right
don't automatically under- "I've heard people … not in intimate partner violence Ayers and Burke also rec- now who won't even get in
stand the intersection of acknowledge that there is and increased concerns ognize the power that sur- the fight, who won't even
sexual violence and struc- a Black woman right now about child sexual assaults, vivors hold — especially in engage in the conversa-
tural racism. And so we re- trying to hold this narrative, Ayers said, so they've shift- this moment as the nation tion," Burke said. "I think sur-
ally have a lot of work to hold this work and push ed toward offering virtual is just weeks away from se- vivors are lined up to get
do." a narrative forward that resources and program- lecting its next president Trump out of office."
They also noted the Breon- is opposite of what we've ming, including a survey after a campaign fraught But beyond the election,
na Taylor case and the heard in the news, about that revealed stark dispari- with divisiveness. Ayers is hopeful about the
#SayHerName campaign, it being about Hollywood ties. Burke late last year work that remains.
which brings attention to and white women, power- "We're hearing Black sur- launched #MeTooVoter as "The survivors, they inspire
Black women like Taylor ful white men, or powerful vivors say, 'I don't have a way to galvanize the mil- me every day," she said.
whose cases go unheard men, period," Burke said. money to eat,'" Ayers said. lions who have supported "We're creating a culture
or are silenced. "So as a Black woman, I feel "The disparity is just growing the movement. Both Burke inside this organization that
Burke said she herself has both the pride and the bur- as a result of the pandemic and Ayers view survivors gives people the space to
dealt firsthand with the den of carrying this kind of and we need to be able to as a significant voting bloc be who they are and to
erasure that Black women work forward," she said. talk about that, not only in whose voices deserve to show up as their full selves.
often endure, when peo- The coronavirus pandemic a qualitative way but we be heard. There are so many people
ple failed to acknowledge has also presented unique need the data to be able While the group has not working to end sexual vio-
the #MeToo movement challenges for the move- to help those who have officially endorsed either lence and watching their
was started and led by ment. money understand where candidate, the women work inspires me. So there is
Black women and people During the pandemic, the we need to be pushing re- said they have serious con- hope."q

C-SPAN suspends Scully after he admits to lie about hack

By DAVID BAUDER because of his COVID-19 and several weeks of
AP Media Writer diagnosis. criticism on social media
NEW YORK (AP) — C-SPAN A week ago, after Trump and conservative news
suspended its political edi- had criticized him as a outlets about his role as
tor Steve Scully indefinitely "never Trumper," Scully moderator, including at-
Thursday after he admit- tweeted "@Scaramucci tacks directed at his fam-
ted to lying about his Twit- should I respond to Trump." ily, he said. "These were
ter feed being hacked Scaramucci, a former both errors in judgement
when he was confronted Trump communications for which I am totally re-
about a questionable ex- director and now a critic sponsible for," Scully said. "I
change with former Trump of the president, advised apologize."
aide Anthony Scaramuc- Scully to ignore him. He said he let down his col-
ci. Scully said that when he leagues at C-SPAN, fellow
The news came on the saw his tweet had cre- news professionals and
day of what was supposed ated a controversy, "I the debate commission. "I
to be a career highlight for falsely claimed that my ask for their forgiveness as
White House Correspondents Association President Steve
Scully appears at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the James the 30-year C-SPAN veter- Twitter account had been I try to move forward in a
S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington an. which was canceled hacked." moment of reflection and
on July 11, 2007. after Trump would not He had been frustrated disappointment in myself,"
Associated Press agree to a virtual format by Trump's comments he said.q