Progressive Women of New York’s steering committee today praised the thorough and decisive investigation of Andrew Cuomo’s sexual harassment offenses and urged their fellow New Yorkers to keep pressuring their legislators until he is no longer governor.
Given Cuomo’s stubborn refusal to resign after a conclusive investigation found multiple cases of sexual harassment and unlawful behavior, PWNY’s steering committee is demanding swift action by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins to impeach and remove him from office as soon as possible.
“The governor is in no position to ignore calls for his immediate resignation,” said former state senate candidate Jasmine “Jasi” Robinson, now a Democratic district leader in Assembly District 61 in Staten Island. “Cuomo’s unwillingness to resign plays into the toxic masculinity that we have seen time and again.”
“What do we say to our younger sisters in the movement who want to enter the political arena? They are watching. It is not okay for anyone to touch you. We want to ensure that younger women know these inappropriate and toxic behaviors are not normal or acceptable.”
The findings issued Tuesday (8/3) from the investigation by Attorney General Letitia James confirmed that Cuomo sexually harassed at least eleven women while in office -- including PWNY member Lindsey Boylan and a state trooper who was assigned to protect him -- creating a hostile work environment and violating both federal and state laws. James’ exhaustive 165-page report clearly details the governor’s abuses of power and pattern of predatory behavior.
PWNY’s steering committee is demanding that a special legislative session be convened to promptly impeach and remove Cuomo. PWNY first called for Cuomo’s resignation or removal in mid-March - the culmination of tireless efforts by progressive lawmakers and activists who risked retribution to expose the governor’s lies, bullying, and intimidation.
The governor is also the focus of a criminal investigation by the Albany County District Attorney’s office, but a criminal conviction is not required for removal from office. The 150-member Assembly is empowered to impeach a governor with a simple majority vote after an inquiry. A trial would then be held by the 63-member Senate and the seven Court of Appeals judges, with a two-thirds majority required to convict and remove a governor.
Cuomo’s abuses of power and refusal to step down are “creating a crisis in a state that’s already grappling with one,” said Emily Lyndaker of Lewis County. “With so many New Yorkers facing eviction, and the setbacks to schools and businesses caused by the pandemic, it’s urgent that the state rid itself of a governor proven to be thoroughly unfit for office — and not drag out this process — so New Yorkers can rebuild.”
Formed in 2017, PWNY is a statewide political activism and social justice organization with more than 1,700 female & non-binary members, committed to progressive values and human rights.
No comments:
Post a Comment