The testimony shown in this video is what speaking truth to power looks like — and the result of the truth-telling shown here is what happens when Republicans don’t like the truth they are hearing. The witness, Sarah Slamen, was called to testify before the Republican-controlled Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services about the Republicans’ controversial new anti-abortion bill. Here is what she said:
“And you know, I had some really eloquent remarks written out, but you guys have just worn me down all day,” Slamen said. “With all this terrible science, and glad-handing, and to be frank I get to move to New York next month, so I don’t have to live in fear of you Texas legislators anymore and what you’re going to do to my education system, or my healthcare system, ‘cause I’m going to a state that doesn’t kill its own inmates. That’s how pro-life it is, up there.”
“I will thank you, though, first,” she continued. “It was destiny that you would discriminate against us and try to force your way inside the bodies of Texas women. Thank you for finally working against women so publicly, and not in the shadows like you’re used to. Thank you for every single bad press conference with your bad information. Thank you for every hateful statement degrading women and girls to sex objects, and brood mares, and bald eagles, and leather wallets, like your eloquent pro-life supporters have done today.”
She then mocked State Senator Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) for framing herself as an expert on reproductive health even though she was an ophthalmologist. After this, Chairwoman Jane Nelson (R-Denton) had apparently heard enough. She interrupted Slamen and told her not to disrespect the senators. As the two began to argue, state troopers grabbed Slamen and escorted her out of the room.
(Source: Raw Story.)
In an interview later, Slamin said she was not sure why she was removed:
There was no explanation. Senator Jane Nelson tried to say I was being disrespectful but how would she know? I barely got to give the complete performance review of every member on the committee. Pointing out that Sen. Donna Campbell is an ophthalmologist is not disrespectful when she asserts in a state hearing that she should be THE expert on reproductive health. What was disrespectful was the parade of anti-choice zealots and misogynists who got up for 13 hours and called women murderers, killers, promiscuous, thoughtless, and selfish. Not a peep from committee chair Nelson on those.
Slamin also said she was considering pursuing legal action against the Legislature on First Amendment grounds.
