Today, ten survivors of Epstein’s abuse and trafficking gave a press conference on the Capitol Hill steps. I was incredibly moved. It was powerful to hear these women, listen to the details of what they went through as young girls and women, how they were manipulated, tricked and humiliated and how they have found the courage to come forward. What is crystal clear is that Epstein used his connections to powerful men— including Trump— to sway the girls into believing him. Also, it is clear that not only did Ghislaine Maxwell participate in creating and Executing the trafficking scheme, she participated in the abuse, as well. Finally, it is incredibly clear that the government covered this up for decades.

They were strong, sometimes showing their pain as they spoke. Here are some excerpts I caught, not from transcripts:

Anouska Di Georgiou: “I am no longer weak, I am no longer powerless, I am no longer alone.”

Marina Lacerda: “I was ‘minor victim one’ in federal indictment of Jeffrey Epstein in 2019. I was one of dozens of girls who I personally know who were forced into Jeffrey Epstein’s mansion on 9 east 71st St in NYC when we were just kids. Today is the first time I ever speak publicly about what happened to me. For the first time, a little girl struggling to get by at 14, finally has a voice.

An immigrant from Brazil, I was only 14 years old when I met Jeffrey. It was the summer and I was working three jobs to try to support my mom and my sister when a friend in the neighborhood told me that I could make $300 to give an older guy a massage. It went from a dream job to the worst nightmare…. I was told I had to be at the mansion so often, I ended up dropping out of high school and never went back…. From 14 to 17 I worked for Jeffrey. Every day, I hoped he would offer me a real job, his assistant or something. Something important. I would finally have made it big. That day never came. I had no way out. Until he finally told me I was too old.”

Courtney Wild: “The goverement worked so hard with Jeffrey Epstein to violate our rights. WHY? Why did the government work so hard to protect Jeffrey and not work so hard to protect me and my innocent friends? Why was Jeffrey so importnat to the government and I so insignificant?

Jena-Lisa Jones: “I had a terrible home life, but I was such an innocient kid and did well in school. I had a positve outlook on life. Then I met Jeffrey. I have never been so scared as the first time he hurt me. I remember crying on the way home, wondering how I could tell anyone about what happened in that house.

“This guy was so rich and had so many pictures with so many famous people …no one would believe me if I told them. I know I was just a little kid, but sometimes I still think it was my fault that this happened. Together we can finally make a change. Please recognize how important this is…. It is not about sides. If you are a Congress person, you have chosen to serve those who cannot always stand up for themselves. We are those people. We are the Americans that you promised to protect. We need your help. Please, President Trump, pass this bill and help us. Make us feel that our voices are finally being heard.”

Haley Robson: “I was a high school student with good grades and high aspirations when I was recruited by a classmate of mine and a 20 year old male, asking if I wanted to give an old rich guy a massage. But, what high school girl would not want to do that. That day changed my life forever and when I got into the massage room, Jeffrey Epstein (and here, Ms. Robsin pauses and takes a big, difficult breath) undressed and asked me to do things to him. My eyes welled up with tears and I have never been so scared in my life. When it was over, he paid me $200 and in exchange requested I bring a girl each time to make another $200. I told him I did not want to do that. And he gave me an ultimatum and said either you come here when I call you and give me a massage or you bring friends of yours to massage me and I will give you $200 each time she comes. I thought I would never hear from him again but he called me every day. He was so wealthy and powerful, I felt I had no choice. I thought if I dissobeyed him something bad would happen. So knowing I did not want to be sexually abused—I’m sorry— I started to bring him other girls from my high school and he payed me $200 for bringing them. I hoped each time would be the last time. One day, one of the stepmothers of one of the girls called the police on Jeffrey Epstein. The police then called me in for questioning. I had told them the truth and told them the names of all the other victims. The police treated me like a criminal. I had by this time, I had turned 18 and had been with Jeffrey since I was 16. They told me I was going to be arrested and my name be given to the press as a co-conspirator with my abuser, who I detested. My entire world was crashing around me and I was being threatened and bullied. To this day I still get death threats.”

I demand every congressman or woman who votes against this bill be outed! I wanna know!”

When asked by a member of the press as to why Trump calls the Epstein files a “hoax,” many of the women groaned. Haley stood forward to answer, in part,

“I would like Donald J. Trump and everyone around the world to humanize us. I would be more than happy to meet with him, so he knows this is not a hoax.”

The co- sponsors of this bill are Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA).

Continue/Read Original Article Here: Anger, Passion: Survivors Speak – by Liza Donnelly