Hub panel featuring Flake moved to more secure venue

Forbes is moving a panel that is scheduled for Monday featuring Republican U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona to a more secure location.

Flake was slated to participate in a panel discussion called “The Future of the Republican Party” with Ohio Gov. John Kasich at Forbes 30 Under 30 summit at the Emerson Colonial Theatre. Emerson College originally sought to cancel the panel, citing security issues.

However, Forbes spokesman Matthew Hutchison said in a statement last night, “Pending ongoing scheduling, we are in the process of moving the discussion with Sen. Flake to a larger and more secure location, the Under 30 Village at City Hall Plaza.”

A Facebook event popped up yesterday signaling a protest of Flake’s participation in the panel and quickly gained a page interest of about a thousand people as of last night. The page encouraged people to “peacefully hold signs” and provide a “space for survivors” outside the theater. Now, the page says, “There are plans being discussed for other action items.”

Flake was cornered by protesters on a Washington elevator yesterday just after announcing he would vote to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. Two women, Ana Maria Archila Gualy and Maria Gallagher, tearfully confronted Flake, claiming he was insensitive to the pain of sexual assault survivors.

One of the women said, “What you are doing is allowing someone who actually violated a woman to sit in the Supreme Court. This is not tolerable. You have children in your family. Think about them.”

The women, who said they were sexual assault survivors, held the elevator door, stopping it from closing while they spoke to Flake for about five minutes.

The other woman said, “I was sexually assaulted and nobody believed me. I didn’t tell anyone and you’re telling all women they don’t matter.” Flake looked awkwardly at the ground, not responding to the emotional comments. The woman continued, “Look at me when I’m talking to you, you’re telling me my assault doesn’t matter.”

Following the interaction, Flake said he would no longer support Kavanaugh’s confirmation unless an FBI investigation is conducted.