Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein‘s abuse gathered on the steps of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, to demand greater transparency from the federal government.
The event was held in support of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a bill that would force Attorney General Pam Bondi to publish all unclassified information about the Epstein case.
The bill is being pushed by a bipartisan group of legislators who aim to shed light on the extent of Epstein’s crimes and the potential involvement of powerful individuals.
Anouska De Georgiou, a model who has spoken publicly about her experiences as a teenager being groomed and raped by Epstein, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability.
“This is about ending secrecy wherever abuse of power takes root,” she said. “To be clear, the only motive for opposing this bill would be to conceal wrongdoing. You have a choice. Stand with the truth or with the lies that have protected predators for decades.”
The survivors’ demands for transparency are driven by a desire to understand the full extent of Epstein’s crimes and to hold those responsible accountable.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died by suicide in his jail cell in 2019, but it is believed that he abused hundreds of underage girls during his decades as a high-powered financier.
Questions have lingered over how he could have evaded justice for so long and whether his vast network of powerful contacts played a role.
The event drew attention to the need for greater transparency and accountability in the Epstein case. Courtney Wild, another survivor, spoke at the podium, sharing her story and calling for action.
Haley Robson, a survivor who invited Trump to meet with her in person, expressed her frustration and disappointment at the president’s response to the Epstein case.
“It feels like you just want to explode inside because nobody again is understanding that this is a real situation,” Robson said. “These women are real. We’re here in person.”
The survivors’ stories and testimonies serve as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of Epstein’s crimes.
Chauntae Davies, an actor who shared her story about hearing Epstein use powerful friends like Trump to build clout, explained that Epstein even took her on a trip with former President Bill Clinton and “other notable figures”.
“Epstein surrounded himself, I’m sorry, with the most powerful leaders of our country and the world. He abused not only me but countless others, and everyone seemed to look away,” Davies said.
The Epstein case has become a thorn in the side for President Donald Trump, who has faced scrutiny over his potential involvement in the case.
Trump has sought to dispel scrutiny that his name might appear in unreleased files from the Epstein case, framing the attention on Epstein as a politically motivated attempt to discredit his administration.
However, the survivors’ demands for transparency and accountability have put pressure on the president to take action.
Marina Lacerda, a survivor who spoke publicly for the first time at the event, shared her story of being abused by Epstein. “The only reason that I am here is because it feels like the people who matter in this country finally care about what we have to say,”
Lacerda told the crowd gathered at the Capitol. Her story is a testament to the courage and resilience of the survivors, who are demanding justice and accountability.
The release of 33,295 pages of records from the federal investigation into Epstein has provided some insight into the case, but many questions remain unanswered.
US representatives like Democrat Ro Khanna, Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Republican Thomas Massie have pushed for a full release of all the documents available. They appeared alongside the survivors at the Capitol, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
“A nation that allows rich and powerful men to traffic and abuse young girls without consequence is a nation that has lost its moral and spiritual core,” Khanna said. Massie added, “I think it’s shameful that this has been called a hoax. Hopefully, today we can clear that up. This is not a hoax. This is real. There are real survivors. There are real victims to this criminal enterprise.”
The survivors’ demands for transparency and accountability are a crucial step towards justice and healing.
As the nation continues to grapple with the implications of the Epstein case, it is essential to prioritize the voices and experiences of the survivors, ensuring that their stories are heard and their demands for justice are met.
