California, the state that handed Hillary Clinton nearly one-sixth of her popular vote total, is getting rattled by sexual harassment allegations.
On the heels of a news cycle dominated by allegations of sexual abuse and assault against Los Angeles powerhouse Harvey Weinstein, California lobbyist Pamela Lopez is accusing a state legislator of assault. Lopez and close to 150 other women have signed a public letter as part of a “We Said Enough” campaign calling on lawmakers to fight against what they say is a pervasive culture of sexual harassment in California state politics, reports CNN.
The blue state handed Clinton 55 electoral votes and 8.8 million of her 65.8 million votes.
“For this to happen right in front of them and not recognize it, it was egregious,” the campaign founder, Adam Iwa, told CNN Thursday, expressing how the nerves of many California women have been rattled following the Weinstein episode.
“No matter a woman’s age, weight, religion, sexual orientation, race, social status, or position of power, she is not insulated from this behavior,” the campaign website says, regarding the state Clinton won handily in the election. “It is pervasive.”
“When women stand up to point out those abuses, I applaud their bravery and I cringe for their pain,” Democratic Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon wrote in a blog post. “My discomfort is for what they have gone through, not for how it reflects on the institution I represent.”
California state Senate leader Kevin de Leon said the legislative body is “reviewing its procedures and policies” to promote a safer workplace, according to the LA Times. “The Senate is reviewing its procedures and policies to ensure we are doing all we can to promote a safe workplace and culture of respect, to encourage and protect victims who come forward and to demand accountability from those who violate these policies,” de Leon said.
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