Petition Call for Removal of Carl Paladino from Buffalo School Board

We, the undersigned, call for the immediate removal of Carl Paladino from the Buffalo School Board. We write with grave concerns about Paladino’s recent support for presidential candidate Donald Trump’s egregious and unacceptable comments about grabbing a woman’s genitalia without her consent (which is the definition of sexual assault and rape). The Washington Post reported on October 8 that Paladino responded to Trump’s hateful speech by characterizing it as “gutter talk” and further noting that  “all men do, at least all normal men” engage in this behavior (seehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/inside-trump-tower-the-defiant-and-isolated-republican-nominee/2016/10/08/0b3575a0-8d8e-11e6-bf8a-3d26847eeed4_story.html It it is not only evident that Paladino condones sexual assault and rape but he also openly tries to normalize sexual violence and make it a non-issue. For the safety of all children and women working in the public school system, we ask that the Buffalo School Board remove Carl Paladino from his duties, and to reassure the parents and residents of the city of Buffalo that the leadership of the Buffalo School Board categorically rejects violence against women. Allowing Paladino to remain on the Buffalo School Board makes the board complicit in normalizing rape and sexual assault. This petition comes at the heels of several public debates, as the Buffalo School Board prepares to vote on the proposed Gender Identity Policy in Buffalo Schools, which would protect the basic human and civil rights of transgender and gender nonconforming students. During these school board meetings, Mr. Paladino has stated that trans girls are a threat to girls in school restrooms yet claims he is not concerned about a man who admits to sexual assault, claiming that all “normal” men say that (including himself and Trump). Paladino’s statements show a critical lack of good judgment. He does not deserve a position to make decisions about school youth and should resign immediately. Ana Grujic Adrienne Hill Camille Hopkins Dr. Jasmina Tumbas