On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced that he would posthumously give a presidential pardon to American suffragist Susan B. Anthony, who was instrumental in the movement to make sure women had the right to vote, which they were denied until the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920.
But the Susan B. Anthony Museum and House has a message for Trump: The women’s rights activist would have refused the pardon for her conviction in 1872 on the charge of attempting to vote. She was convicted by an all-male jury.
On news of a presidential pardon for Susan B. Anthony on August 18, 2020: Objection! Mr. President, Susan B. Anthony must decline your offer of a pardon today!
— S. B. Anthony Museum (@SusanBHouse) August 18, 2020
If that wasn’t enough, other tweets from the museum explained exactly why Anthony would have rejected any pardon:
Anthony wrote in her diary in 1873 that her trial for voting was “The greatest outrage History ever witnessed.” She was not allowed to speak as a witness in her own defense, because she was a woman. Judge Hunt dismissed the jury and pronounced her guilty.
— S. B. Anthony Museum (@SusanBHouse) August 18, 2020
If one wants to honor Susan B. Anthony today, a clear stance against any form of voter suppression would be welcome. Enforcement and expansion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 would be celebrated.
— S. B. Anthony Museum (@SusanBHouse) August 18, 2020
If one wants to honor Susan B. Anthony today, a clear stance against any form of voter suppression would be welcome. Enforcement and expansion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 would be celebrated.
— S. B. Anthony Museum (@SusanBHouse) August 18, 2020
Anthony was also a strong proponent of sex education, fair labor practices, excellent public education, equal pay for equal work, and elimination of all forms of discrimination.
— S. B. Anthony Museum (@SusanBHouse) August 18, 2020
The real reason for Trump’s pardon of Anthony is obvious: He’s pandering to female voters, the vast majority of whom have told pollsters they will cast their ballot for Joe Biden November.
If Susan B. Anthony were alive, it’s highly unlikely she’d support a man who bragged how he likes to grab women by the genitals and kiss them against their will.
Featured Image Via NBC News
