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Current Event

By Sam Nguyen

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Al Franken Sexual Harassment

  • Al Franken was accused of sexual harassment by Leeann Tweeden
  • Al Franken is a former SNL Writer, and currently is a Minnesotan senator
  • He was accused of groping and on another occasion, forcibly kissing Tweeden

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  • Franken is known for being a liberal leader
  • He’s advocated for women’s rights in the past
  • Also made numerous inappropriate jokes about women prior to his position as a senator
  • Hasn’t been accused of any other incidents of sexual harassment
  • Constituents are hesitant to call for his resignation
  • A lot of people have come out to defend his character

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  • “it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn't. I shouldn't have done it”
  • “I don't know what was in my head when I took that picture, and it doesn't matter. There's no excuse.”
  • “what people think of me in light of this is far less important than what people think of women who continue to come forward to tell their stories. They deserve to be heard, and believed.”
  • Franken has apologized twice publicly and once in private

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Franken’s Apology

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First Small Group Question

What should happen to Al Franken? Thoughts?

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Second Small Group Question

Why did Ohio Supreme Court Justice, William O’Neill defend Franken?

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Do the increasing revelations of sexual harassment make you feel like women are safer or are they being put in even more vulnerable positions?

“I wanted to shout my story to the world with a megaphone to anyone who would listen, but even as angry as I was, I was worried about the potential backlash and damage going public might have on my career as a broadcaster.��But that was then, this is now. I’m no longer afraid.”

- Leeann Tweeden

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Sources

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