Young Democrats of RI Call for Mattiello's Tenure to End Over Handling of Sexual Harassment Claims

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Young Democrats of RI Call for Mattiello's Tenure to End Over Handling of Sexual Harassment Claims

Speaker Nicholas Mattiello
The Young Democrats of Rhode Island are condemning the handling of sexual harassment claims against chair Cale Keable, and are calling for Nicholas Mattiello’s tenure as Speaker of the House to end.

Earlier this week, it was reported that House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Cale Keable repeatedly sexually harassed Rep. Katherine Kazarian and that Mattiello knew about this sexual harassment and, yet allowed Keable to remain as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. 

As GolocalProv reported, Mattiello took criticism from the GOP, as well as, other groups for his handling of the situation.

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Read the Young Democrats Statement Below

The recent coverage of Speaker Mattiello’s handling of sexual harassment claims made against Chair of Judiciary, Cale Keable only provides further evidence that Rhode Island needs new leadership in its House of Representatives.  We stand in support of Representative Kazarian and applaud her courage, and condemn Chair Keable’s harassment. There is a pervasive culture of silencing, blaming, and shaming victims that occurs regularly at the RI State House.  This hostile culture is enforced by Speaker Mattiello’s staff, and must come to an end with new leadership.

Young advocates, organizers, or citizens who have spent any amount of time at the State House advocating for legislation or attending political meetings, recognize that a culture of silence persists.  Whether vocalizing dissent in a hearing room or on social media, young people who speak up face a multitude of barriers from intimidation to outright harassment within our current State House’s political culture, particularly within the House of Representatives.  This is intended to turn young people away from engaging in politics, or outright punish those who dissent.  Rep. Kazarian’s story is unfortunately too familiar for so many young women and men who go up to the State House with the best intentions.

We stand in solidarity with the many Representatives, organizations, and citizens who are calling for an end to the culture of harassment and silence in the RI House of Representatives.  Whether Speaker Mattiello wins or loses on November 6th, we implore all representatives to support a leader who will put an end to this culture of silence, and who will foster transparency. We need a speaker who will treat women equitably, who will allow debate and dissent, and take meaningful action when members of the chamber or the public come forward with evidence or allegations of harassment. Speaker Mattiello has proven himself incapable of these things.  


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