US: Thousands protest Supreme Court nomination in Washington, DC, October 4

Event

Thousands of protesters are rallying to denounce the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court on Thursday, October 4, over allegations that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted multiple women in his youth. Kavanaugh denies the allegations. Related demonstrations have been held in cities across the country in recent days, including in Washington, DC, and New York City, among others; notably, thousands of protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court and the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington on Thursday to demand that the Senate vote to reject his confirmation. Hundreds of people also staged a related protest in the Hart Senate Office Building (Washington, DC) on Thursday; police have begun to remove the protesters from the building as of Thursday afternoon (local time).

Similar protests are possible in Washington, DC, and other American cities ahead of the expected confirmation vote on Saturday, October 6. Although the demonstrations are expected to remain non-violent, a heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are to be expected near protest sites.

Context

Judge Brett Kavanaugh, nominated to the US Supreme Court by President Donald Trump in July following the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, has been accused of sexually assaulting multiple women in the 1980s during his high school and college years. Judge Kavanaugh has denied the allegations. Related protests demanding that lawmakers vote against his confirmation to the Supreme Court have been held across the US in recent weeks.

Advice

Individuals in affected areas are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities.