A screenshot from the virtual SMART and Sunrise Movement rally held on Friday, April 23, which called for the immediate impeachment of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and supported survivors of sexual assault. Screenshot courtesy of America Grafton ’24.
On Friday, April 23, Survivors Making Activism and Radical Transformation (SMART) and the Sunrise Movement hosted a virtual rally calling for the immediate impeachment of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and supporting survivors of sexual assault. The rally came in response to over a dozen sexual misconduct allegations against Governor Cuomo, including one from Hamilton alumna Charlotte Bennett ’17, who founded SMART during her time on the Hill.
The virtual rally, which had over 150 attendees, included presentations and speeches. Towards the end, the rally provided an open space to share individual experiences. “I am extremely proud of and inspired by how the rally went,” said SMART E-Board member Morgan Perry ’21. “We, the organizers, were all beaming during our open sharing space as we came to see that the community clearly resonated with the need for the space… and benefited from standing in solidarity with Charlotte Bennett ’17.”
According to Sunrise Hamilton Hub Coordinator Madison Lazenby ’23, who helped coordinate the event, “This rally was about solidarity and demanding accountability. We gathered because we wanted to demand justice for one of our alumni who contributed so much to creating a safer campus for all, especially for survivors of sexual assault and harassment.”
Contributors to the rally explained ways Hamilton could better address campus culture, which they argued “fosters sexual assault.” Perry suggested that Hamilton should include “more space to discuss what justice looks like, more commitment to dismantling abusive and/or toxically masculine structures beyond Hamilton, and more day-to-day work on this campus, from amplifying survivor voices to holding problematic friends and commentary accountable.”
Friday’s virtual protest was part of a continued movement from SMART and other groups calling for Cuomo’s removal. The movement has included a letter to New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie signed by 360 members of the Hamilton Community. The letter, titled ‘An Open Letter to Speaker Heastie: Impeach Cuomo Now,’ demands “that Governor Cuomo be impeached immediately” and states that he “has proven himself unfit for office.”
The letter also highlights Charlotte Bennett’s ’17 contribution to the Hamilton community. “Holding institutions accountable for their actions and inaction is Charlotte’s activist legacy, which she began at Hamilton College through SMART and its impactful workshops, mentoring, rallies, petitions, and demonstrations. We are a safer, more just campus because of her,” the letter says.
The letter follows Speaker Heastie’s decision to not begin impeachment proceedings immediately. Instead, the Speaker authorized the Assembly Judiciary Committee to begin an investigation into the numerous allegations facing the Governor. However, the investigation has been criticized by activists and lawmakers as a stall tactic to protect Cuomo, and a potential conflict of interest, as the law firm hired by the Committee has strong personal and political ties to the Governor. The Assembly investigation is occurring alongside an additional inquiry by New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office.
While Albany has moved slowly and reluctantly, Hamilton students will continue to fight for Governor Cuomo’s removal and demand justice for the survivors. “Our work cannot stop with Friday,” said Perry. “Governor Cuomo needs to be impeached for his egregious abuses of power and culpability in creating a hostile workplace — Hamilton College needs to own up to the trauma that our campus rape culture inflicts and take a stand to support survivors of sexual misconduct (students and alumni alike) — and survivors and their steadfast allies need to be at the forefront of this change.”
One of the four graphics published to SMART social media pages in relation to the rally. Scanning the QR code grants access to SMART’s open letter to Speaker Heastie, with an option to sign it. There was also a rally registration link available on the QR code page. Graphic by Emily “Mil” Fienco ’23.