Respecting Process, Update on Progress

Hello Everyone, I know that I've said before we are making a difference, but we really are. I was interviewed by Marsha Lederman (article below) and I think she captured that it's so important to put the female complainants--and all women who report sexual violence--back into this story. People are still signing the counter-letter in great numbers: 378 at last count. I put the signatures on the web version of the letter when change.org lets me download them. It's still amazing and moving to see them all there. Working on a press release now. I'm also trying to figure out who to send the counter-letter to, because Carmen Aguirre said in an interview that she's the spokesperson for UBC Accountable, but I have to verify that. I do want to clarify something here that I've been asked about. The counter-letter says that "we respect the UBC process." Unlike UBC Accountable, the counter-letter is not calling for another independent inquiry. The focus on the counter-letter is on the women who have been silenced by the UBC Accountable letter, and on the silencing and minimizing women's voices that is a part of rape culture. As many of you have said to me, it means a lot to have people speaking publicly about rape culture and sexual harassment. It means a lot to see writers withdraw their names from a letter that backs Galloway and says so little about women involved with the case. Even when the counter-letter is submitted, I'll keep the petition open so that those who want to show their support can do so. Thanks again for signing. Regards, Julie Rak