FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information:
Tiffany Hankins
NARAL Pro-Choice Washington
(206)-915-7426
NARAL Pro-Choice Washington says in letter “David Sawyer, don’t seek reelection”
Seattle – “It’s not only troubling that 8 women have come forward with accusations of sexual harassment, but Rep. Sawyer has repeatedly failed to recognize the power differential at play,” said NARAL Executive Director Tiffany Hankins, “We demand candidates do better. We need bold leaders who aren’t afraid to show their support for reproductive freedom. That includes freedom from sexual harassment in the workplace.”
Full text of letter:
Rep. David Sawyer PO Box 98469 Lakewood, WA 98496
Representative Sawyer,
We are writing to you today regarding the accusations against you by several women.
As individual organizations, we work in many ways to better our communities for the issues we each care about. Despite these individual priorities, there are values we all share together. Among those shared values is ensuring safe, inclusive work environments, free from coercion or the appearance that its inherent power imbalance will be used for such purposes. This means treating all people with dignity and respect inside and outside of the workplace.
The women who have come forward were reluctant to do so in part because they were concerned how people would react, wondering if they would be believed, and if they were, who would stand with them. More disturbing is the concern there might be repercussions to their careers and personal lives.
If our organizations remain silent, waiting for you to do the right thing, we would confirm the social message that women are not taken seriously when they speak up. We also have a duty to the communities and employees we serve. Your actions have significantly compromised your ability to adequately represent our shared communities.
We not only believe the women who have shared their stories, but today we are standing with them. It is therefore our obligation to tell you that we cannot support you in another run for the Legislature. We ask that you take responsibility for your actions and not seek reelection.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Hankins, Executive Director NARAL Pro-Choice Washington
Treasure Mackley, Interim CEO/ Political & Organizing Director Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest
Sarah Cherin, Community and Political Allies Director UFCW 21
Renee Hopkins, CEO Alliance for Gun Responsibility
Aaron Ostrom, Executive Director Fuse Washington
Shannon Murphy, President Washington Conservation Voters
Brenda Wiest, Legislative Affairs Director Teamsters 117
Adam Glickman, Secretary Treasurer SEIU 775
To set up an interview with NARAL Pro-Choice Washington Executive Director Tiffany Hankins or for more information about how we arrived at this year’s grades, please contact Eli Goss at (206) 624-1990 or elissa@prochoicewashington.org
