A6
State
Blue Mountain Eagle
Brown, lawmakers stage walkout
supporting Kavanaugh accusers
By Aubrey Wieber
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Expanded state government
reporting comes to Oregon
Capital Bureau
Capital Bureau
Gov. Kate Brown and House Majori-
ty Leader Jennifer Williamson took to the
Capitol steps Monday morning to publicly
support Christine Blasey Ford and Debo-
rah Ramirez, both of whom have alleged
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kava-
naugh sexually assaulted them years ago.
“I believe that sexual assault survivors
should be heard, and particularly that there
should be an investigation in this particu-
lar case, now that there has been a second
allegation,” Brown said in a later inter-
view.
Brown and Williamson were joined by
dozens of lawmakers, mostly women, to
take a political stance on sexual assault,
as part of the greater #MeToo movement.
The walkout took place on the opening
day of September’s Legislative Days,
where lawmakers from throughout the
state convene at the Capitol to prepare for
the 2019 Legislature.
The walkout was short and silent, last-
ing about four minutes.
On Sunday, Ramirez joined Blasey
Ford in making public allegations against
Kavanaugh, nominated by President Don-
ald Trump to replace Anthony Kennedy on
the high court. U.S. Senate Republicans
were attempting to get Kavanaugh ap-
proved quickly so he could join the court
when it opens its next session on Mon-
Salem Reporter/Aubrey Wieber
Gov. Kate Brown and House
Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson
stand in solidarity with victims of
sexual assault on the Capitol steps
Monday.
day. Blasey Ford’s accusation, followed
by Ramirez’s accusation, has thrown a
wrench into that plan.
The two accusers are asking that the
FBI investigate the allegations. Brown,
surrounded by lawmakers holding signs,
said she believes the alleged victims.
Brown said Kavanaugh should with-
draw from consideration of the lifetime
appointment.
“I think the U.S. Senate, if they decide
to move forward, are doing a disservice to
the American people and a disservice to
the U.S. Supreme Court,” Brown said
The two accusers are asking that the
FBI investigate the allegations.
A news collaborative to
sharpen and expand coverage
of Oregon state government
and politics has launched, com-
bining the strengths of three
news organizations.
The new team represents
Pamplin Media Group, publish-
er of the Portland Tribune and
24 other newspapers, EO Me-
dia Group, which publishes the
East Oregonian, Daily Astorian
and nine other newspapers, and
Salem Reporter, a digital news
service.
A reporter from each orga-
nization has been assigned to
the Oregon Capital Bureau op-
eration. They are Paris Achen
of the Portland Tribune, Claire
Withycombe of the East Ore-
gonian and Daily Astorian, and
Aubrey Wieber of Salem Re-
porter. They will work under the
direction of Les Zaitz, editor of
Salem Reporter and a veteran
investigative reporter.
“This collaboration will dra-
matically boost our in-depth
coverage of state government,”
said Pamplin Media Group
Capital Bureau/Les Zaitz
Aubrey Wieber of Salem
Reporter, Claire Withycombe
of EO Media Group and Paris
Achen of Pamplin Media Group.
President Mark Garber. “We al-
ready were partnering with EO
Media Group to provide time-
ly and comprehensive stories
about the Legislature, the exec-
utive branch and state agencies.
Now, by adding Salem Reporter,
we will increase the number of
journalists watching the capi-
tal and also benefit enormous-
ly from Les Zaitz’s journalistic
leadership.”
“Throughout its 110-year
history the EO Media Group
has been committed to quality
journalism,” said Heidi Wright,
the group’s chief operating offi-
cer. “That commitment led us to
our original collaboration with
Pamplin Media Group to pro-
vide our readers with import-
ant stories other news outlets
had abandoned. This coverage
has never been more vital and
the resources Salem Reporter
brings to the effort will increase
the value of this coverage to our
readers.”
“News organizations across
the state have whittled away at
their coverage of state govern-
ment, leaving citizens with less
information than ever before.
By combining forces, we give
Oregonians the largest news
team in the state focused exclu-
sively on state government. We
intend to be a potent watchdog
over public money and govern-
ment power,” said Zaitz.
The new Oregon Capital Bu-
reau team will provide breaking
news, enterprise and investiga-
tive stories. The bureau’s stories
will be shared with each of the
news organization’s publica-
tions and their websites, provid-
ing an unprecedented statewide
reach. This collaborative also
produces Oregon Capital Insid-
er e-newsletter, delivered week-
ly to over 84,000 subscribers.
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