Monterey rally held to support first Kavanaugh accuser, others

Support for Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, the first person to accuse Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has spread across the country including in Monterey where there was a rally Wednesday.

The rally was called “We Believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford” and though that was its main message, organizers say it’s also a show of support for all of the people who share similar stories.

“This has gone on way too long,” said Carmel resident Sheila Keith, “I’m sick to death of men getting away with this and it’s just got to be stopped.”

Keith says she is also a survivor of sexual abuse.

“My abuse occurred back in 1972,” Keith said, “At that time I felt such shame and there was no way I could ever come out. No one would have believed me, they wouldn’t have and I would have been shamed.”

Esther Hobbs with Women’s March Monterey Bay organized the event that dozens attended.

“I wasn’t going to plan anything but then over the past week I had about 25 women come to me individually and tell me their stories about why they didn’t report,” she said.

Hobbs says she hopes people will continue to share their stories even after the Kavanaugh Controversy has passed.

“Remember the lessons that we’ve learned throughout this process, that when a victim speaks up and a survivor is out there telling their story, we stop and we listen and we believe them,” Hobbs said.

Hobbs says Women’s March Monterey Bay is a non-profit and don’t stand behind or represent any political party.