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U.Va. students march in support of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford as she testifies before Senate

Ford testified about an alleged sexual assault against her by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh

<p>An attendee at the march wears a jacket reading "I believe Dr. Blasley Ford."&nbsp;</p>

An attendee at the march wears a jacket reading "I believe Dr. Blasley Ford." 

Around 100 students and community members marched around the Lawn Thursday afternoon to support the Senate testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford about her sexual assault accusations against Brett Kavanaugh, a Federal Circuit Court Judge and current Supreme Court nominee. 

The march, organized by One Less at UVA and One in Four at UVA, two sexual assault awareness groups on Grounds, was announced on Facebook the night before Ford’s testimony.

“It was encouraging and inspiring to see so many people turn out since the march was organized the day before,” Colette Marcellin, a fourth-year College student and vice president of One Less at UVA,  said in an email statement to The Cavalier Daily.

Ford testified Thursday morning at a Senate hearing, accusing Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her while they were both in high school — an accusation that Kavanaugh has denied.

Two other women have accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. Kavanaugh has also denied the allegations. 

The demonstrators marched down the West side of the Lawn to Old Cabell chanting slogans such as “We believe survivors,” “We believe Anita Hill” and “Cancel Kavanaugh.” 

Hill testified before the Senate in 1991, alleging that now-Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas sexually harassed her. Ford’s testimony in the Kavanaugh hearing has sparked many comparisons to Hill’s 1991 testimony.

As some students leaving class joined the line, the group filed back up to the Rotunda where the march broke up. 

There are currently no demonstrations planned should Kavanaugh be confirmed to the Supreme Court. The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination on Friday and a full Senate vote is expected on Tuesday.

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