Sarah’s News Roundup 02.23.19

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick
US ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has been defrocked following allegations of historic sexual abuse.

McCarrick had previously resigned but claimed he had “no recollection” of the alleged abuse.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, gave this statesment: “No bishop, no matter how influential, is above the law of the Church. For all those McCarrick abused, I pray this judgement will be one small step, among many, toward healing.”

The Vatican said Pope Francis had ruled McCarrick’s expulsion from the clergy as definitive and would not allow further appeals against the decision.

Ex-New York Congressman Anthony Weiner has been released from federal prison and will spend the rest of his sentence in a halfway house.

Weiner was sentenced in 2017 after being convicted of sexting with a minor.

At the sentencing acting US Attorney Joon Kim said: “Anthony Weiner asked a girl who he knew to be 15 years old to display her naked body and engage in sexually explicit behavior for him online. Today, Anthony Weiner received a just sentence that was appropriate for his crime.”

Lisa Borders has resigned as President and CEO of Time’s Up following allegations of sexual misconduct against her son.

Time’s Up stated: “Last Friday, Lisa Borders informed members of TIME’S UP leadership that sexual assault allegations had been made against her son in a private forum. Within 24 hours, Lisa made the decision to resign as President and CEO of Time’s Up and we agreed that it was the right decision for all parties involved. All of our actions were fully guided by our support for survivors.

We respect the rights of all survivors to own their own stories. We strongly encourage anyone who has experienced sexual harassment, assault or related retaliation in the workplace or in trying to advance their careers to contact the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for assistance. We remain committed to our mission to create, safe and dignified work for women of all kinds.”

Yoga instructor Celia Gellert claimed that Lisa Borders’ son, Garry “Dijon” Bowden Jr., touched her inappropriately during a “healing” massage.

Ms Gellert said: I (am speaking out) so no other men or women are harmed. I would love an apology, that would be wonderful, just to be acknowledged as a human being. We are human beings and we make mistakes, you made a mistake. He should not be posing as a healer and touching them naked. When this person just fondles your body because you are not expecting it, it was shocking and very traumatizing.”

Bowden “vehemently denies that any inappropriate or nonconsenual touching occurred at any time”.

The “Unconditional Surrender” statue in Sarasota has had “#metoo” sprayed on it in red paint, the day after the sailor depicted in it, George Mendonsa, died at the age of 95.

Although the image of Mendonsa kissing Greta Zimmer Friedman epitomised the joy felt across the US on the day Japan surrendered in 1945 thus ending World War Two, in more recent years some have suggested the photo depicts an act of sexual assault, especially as Greta said it wasn’t her choice to be kissed and that Mendonsa “grabbed” her.

However, she made it clear the kiss was a “jubilant act” and “it was just an event of ‘thank god the war is over.'”

Another two women have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against R Kelly.

Rochelle Washington and Latresa Scaff said they were given alcohol and drugs at an after-concert party when they were teenagers in 1990s before being invited to Kelly’s hotel room.

The girls were instructed to pull up their dresses then Kelly entered the room with his penis exposed and asked for a threesome.

Ms Washington refused but Ms Scaff agreed to have sex with Kelly “even though I did not have the capacity to consent” due to the drugs and alcohol.

Ms Scaff added that she came forward “because of all of the other victims”.

The women are being represented by Gloria Allred who has this message for Kelly: “You have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. You have been able to get away with your predatory misconduct for far too long.”

Sarah x

#metoo

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