GSU Students Ignite a Kavanaugh Protest in Library Plaza
Students stand up for sexual assault victims
Students protest Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination on October 4. | Photo by Madison Dedmon
By Madison Dedmon
A group of Georgia State University (GSU) students let their voices be heard in opposition of Brett Kavanaugh’s looming Supreme Court nomination. Last week, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee about her alleged assault by Kavanaugh.
Three assault allegations against Kavanaugh have surfaced about his behavior during his high school and college years.
October 4, college students across the nation protested against Kavanaugh, including at GSU’s Library Plaza. The demonstration, organized by the Panthers for Black Feminism, began at 4 p.m. Chants of “Kava-Nope!” could be heard across the plaza.
The Library Plaza served as a mecca for students to not only protest, but for sexual assault survivors to share their personal experiences. “It is up to the people to stand up for survivors,” GSU freshman Layten Robinson said.
After rallying in the plaza, protestors marched to the State Capitol and then returned to campus.
Ebony Short, co-founder of Panthers for Black Feminism what it is means to protest on issues like this. “It was important to mobilize, period. Be it a college campus or in a small town. Solidarity and allyship are a vital aspect of black feminist ideology.”
Demonstrators said they feared the legislators are not listening to women and are just trying to hold onto their power. Comparing Dr. Ford’s case to Anita Hill, “history repeats itself and legislators do not respect women,” said Robinson.
It was evident to demonstrators that because of the short FBI investigation into the allegations, Kavanaugh’s nomination was imminent.
With some students calling the investigation a sham, and others a disappointment, frustration among students was clearer than the FBI findings.
Dr. Ford has stood strong and not changed her story of that night and GSU Panthers.
Short says the only way to stop the normalization of sexual crimes is to demand change. “We are tired of capitalism perpetuating the normalization of violence against women, trans people, femmes, and men-we are working towards dismantling capitalism,” she said.
With the nomination of Kavanaugh hovering over America’s head, the future of the country and women’s rights is uncertain.
If Kavanaugh is confirmed a seat on the Supreme Court, student Camia Elzie believes one thing is clear. “We’ve been ignored by our leaders, our peers, our parents and community. It’s unacceptable and needs to end.”