The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Protesters call for Leach to resign
Three protesters arrested after trying to disrupt a fundraiser
CONSHOHOCKEN » On Thursday evening, about 30 protesters stood on the sidewalk outside a restaurant in Conshohocken that hosted a fundraiser and birthday party for state Sen. Daylin Leach, a Democrat.
Chanting and using bullhorns to amplify their voices, the group from left-wing organizations Time’sUp Philly, Delco PA Indivisible, Tuesdays with Toomey and Delco NOW called on Leach to resign, alleging that he improperly touched at least eight women. Three men allegedly confirmed it happened.
“Daylin, you can’t hide. We can see your dirty side!” and “No Justice, no peace,” rang out from the mostly female protesters who lined the sidewalk outside the Great American Pub.
Three of the organizers, Allison Kruk, Gwen Snyder and Catherine Coll, entered the restaurant and were taken out in handcuffs when they disrupted the fundraiser. There was also a large police presence at the protest and squad cars were there in advance.
Mikhel Harrison, a statewide organizer for the Indivisible, spoke to the group.
“If Daylin Leach were a person of color he would be forced out months ago,” Harrison said. “We will not tolerate this in our party. We don’t care how progressive you are.” Harrison said that he has six nieces and both he and his sister have been sexually assaulted. He accused Leach of “gaslighting the victims.” Harrison claimed that eight women and three men now accuse Leach of improper behavior.
“No one wants to be sexually assaulted and harassed,” Harrison said.
In December after an article appeared about former campaign and legislative staff members who accused Leach of making sexual jokes and remarks or touching them in ways that they believed were inappropriate, Gov. Tom Wolf called for Leach to resign. Leach, 57, who did end a bid for a Congressional seat, denied that he ever touched anyone inappropriately.
“As I said in my letter to the Inquirer on January 7th, I’m eager to listen to anyone who wants to contact me for constructive dialogue,” Leach said, via email on Friday. “Many people have reached out. These conversations have helped me, have been, I believe, mutually beneficial, and I thank those individuals for their time. As far as I know, no one involved with this protest has ever reached out to speak with me.” Leach, a lawyer, was first elected to the state legislature in 2003 and now represents the 17th Senatorial District.
Drew McGinty, who ran against Leach in his bid for the 7th Congressional seat, was also among the protesters and held a sign with Leach and Trump’s pictures.
“Our goal as a group is to have Sen. Leach resign his state senate seat,” said Kruk, in an interview before the protest. “We feel very strongly he hasn’t taken meaningful accountability for his actions and as a result is not fit to hold office at this time. He can vote a certain way. He can make public statements that seem very progressive, but that doesn’t make you a progressive. That just makes you a person who abuses people.”
Sara Atkins, of Wynnewood, was at the protest with her 6-year-old daughter, Mimi.
“I’m here because Daylin Leach is a sexual predator and I stand with all the women who accuse him,” said Atkins. “I don’t want my representative to be no different than Donald Trump. I don’t want to teach my girls this is okay. We have to take a stand as mothers.”
Jim Cummings of Philadelphia said that he is a friend of one of Leach’s accusers and also volunteers for a Philadelphia domestic violence hotline.
“This is a statewide issue,” said Cummings. “The statewide Democratic party has refused to condemn this behavior.”
Newtown Square resident David Diandro said that he has helped with Democratic campaigns and said, “This is an ongoing pattern of behavior” on Leach’s part. Leach is “like our Al Franken, very progressive on the issues and everybody likes him. He’s raised a lot of money for Montco Democrats and they are invested in him.”
Diandro contended that the women accusers had been intimidated by Leach and his associates “and told they won’t get jobs in politics” if they reported their charges so they kept quiet. There is “a power imbalance,” he said, comparing the situation to allegations made by Anita Hill at the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. With the advent of the Me Too movement, more women are coming forward, he said.
Laura Wentz, of Upper Darby, said that she came to the protest “because my friends are victims of his and it’s way past time to stand with them and protect their rights.”
“No one should have to worry about sexual harassment and assault when they go to work,” Wentz said.
As chants of “Times up, Daylin” and “Defund Daylin,” continued to ring out, Leach’s 16-year-old daughter, Brennan, came out to try to talk to the protesters but was shouted down. Lisa Longo, political director for Daypac, also tried to speak to them but was rebuffed.
Later, Longo said that she has known Leach for years and “he’s an affectionate guy.” She acknowledged that in the rough and tumble of political campaigns there are jokes “and comradery.”
“Nobody is denying it was a rough atmosphere,” she said. However, “Daylin sat down with women and changed his behavior. He said that he was sorry for making people feel uncomfortable.”
She pointed out that the Senate Ethics Office has “not a single complaint on file against him.”
“I’ve been friends with Daylin for years,” she said. “I met with his staff. They don’t know where it’s coming from.”
“Daylin committed to social justice,” she added.
About 70 people came to the fundraiser. Longo could not immediately say how much money had been raised.