Sexual assault survivors have confronted Arizona Senator Jeff Flake in an elevator after he said he would vote “yes” to confirm Brett Kavanaugh.
One woman, later identified as Ana Maria Archila, standing by an elevator door, could be heard reprimanding the senator for his decision to vote to confirm Mr Kavanaugh, following Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony on her sexual assault accusations – and the multiple sexual misconduct accusations against the Supreme Court nominee.
“I told the story of my sexual assault, I told it because I recognise in Dr Ford’s story that she’s telling the truth,” she said. “What you are doing is allowing someone who actually violated a woman to sit in the Supreme Court.”
Mr Flake had been widely criticised on Friday morning for announcing his support for Mr Kavanaugh’s confirmation, as he was previously undecided. Mr Blake did not ask Mr Kavanaugh any questions during Thursday’s session.
But in a surprise move following the elevator confrontation, Mr Flake said during a Friday meeting that he would be willing to ask the White House to direct a FBI investigation before he voted on the floor of the full senate. Mr Ford has consistently requested that the FBI investigate her claims.
Mr Kavanaugh has denied all the sexual misconduct and assault claims against him.
“You have children in your family, think about them,” Ms Archila continued. “I have two children, and can not imagine that for the next 50 years they will have to have someone in the Supreme Court who has been accused of violating a young girl. What are you doing sir?”
Another sexual assault survivor later identified as Maria Gallagher chimed in and said the Arizona senator’s decision is telling woman that assault “doesn’t matter”. She insisted the senator look at her, as he remained inside the elevator.
