California's Pomona College has postponed an event with a state lawmaker and high profile activist against sexual harassment, following revelations that she is under investigation for sexual misconduct.
Cristina Garcia, a Democratic California assemblywoman lauded as a leader of the #MeToo movement, was set to appear at her alma mater Friday, by invitation of the Pomona Politics Department, to discuss "women's issues, government transparency, and environmental justice."
Professor Susan McWilliams, political departmental chair, confirmed that the event had been postponed in the wake of allegations that Garcia groped a former legislative aid and a lobbyist, Politico reported.
Garcia, who chairs the Women's Caucus and the Natural Resources Committee, was included in Time magazine's "Silence Breakers" cover story last year alongside those applauded as the magazine's Persons of the Year for battling sexual harassment.
She was a leading supporter of state legislation signed this week by Gov. Jerry Brown giving whistleblower protection to legislative staffers who report sexual misconduct, and previously championed legislation to redefine the California legislature's definition of rape.
Garcia was among more than 140 women who signed a letter last fall calling for the end to a "pervasive" culture of sexual harassment in California and national politics.
She personally vowed not to work with lawmakers who are accused of sexual harassment.
Garcia said she was determined to use her position as a powerful politician "to empower other women" after being "sexually harassed early on" in her career.
The Assembly Rules Committee has launched an investigation into the allegations that Garcia, while appearing inebriated, cornered and attempted to grab the crotch of the male staffer at the 2014 annual Assembly softball game. The lobbyist reported a similar incident occurred at a May 2017 fundraiser.
Garcia responded to the accusations in a statement Thursday.
"Every complaint about sexual harassment should be taken seriously and I will participate fully in any investigation that takes place," she said. "The details of these claims have never been brought to my attention until today. I can confirm that I did attend the 2014 legislative softball game with a number of members and my staff. I can also say I have zero recollection of engaging in inappropriate behavior and such behavior is inconsistent with my values."
Matthew Reade, editor-in-chief of the Claremont Independent, which covers the five schools in the Claremont University Consortium, called out campus activists for their ongoing silence on Garcia.
Reade contrasted the non-response by sexual assault support and social justice clubs to Garcia, to the uproar caused by a 2014 invite by Scripps College to conservative commentator George Will, whose speech was cancelled due to student outrage over his column advocating for due process in campus sexual assault allegations.
"It seems that there is an unwillingness to throw a MeToo advocate and political ally under the bus, even if she has used the movement as cover for her own sexual misconduct," said Reade.
He added that he would be "surprised" if Garcia was rescheduled, but that he would like to have her come out "to face the hard questions."