Statement from me too. International following Resignation of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 10, 2021

Statement from me too. International following Resignation of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

ATLANTA – Tarana Burke and Dani Ayers – ED and CEO of me too. International, respectively – issued the following statement after NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation:

We are relieved that Gov. Cuomo has finally announced his resignation and prevented his survivors from experiencing the violent media frenzy an impeachment trial would have caused. However, this should have happened a long time ago.

It is worth pointing out that the rules have not changed — sexual harassment was wrong 50 years ago and it is wrong today. Gov. Cuomo clinging to that excuse, and to that of “cultural differences” excusing unwanted touching, is inherently wrong. The difference between now and the past is that there were fewer paths to accountability then, and we now live in a time where there are more people willing to listen to and believe survivors.

Gov. Cuomo might remember an era where he could have remained in office. However, #metoo reawakened all of us to the reality that leadership and power does not mean impunity, and that there is recourse for harm and abuse.

Still, we know this is about one abuser who was held accountable, when too often they face no ramifications for the harm they’ve caused. Cuomo’s resignation shows that survivors are the powerful ones who will usher us into a world free of sexual violence. Prepare to start hearing from all survivors across the spectrum. me too. International will continue to follow the leadership of survivors as they define justice and healing for themselves.