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What follows is a personal statement in my capacity as Emma Meshell Phillips, not as Spokeswoman or employee of Young Americans for Liberty.
As many of you have seen, heinous allegations against Cliff Maloney, my boss and the President of YAL, have been surfacing and re-surfacing over the past few days. Others including Justin Griess, VP of Grassroots, have also been accused of terrible misconduct and abuse.
I spent the weekend glued to the #YALtoo tag with the chilling realization that what happened to these women could have very easily happened to me. I can't describe the shock and disgust I felt reading your stories.
I've spent a lot of time over my 1.5 years in my role traveling with Cliff, helping him raise money, and promoting for his leadership at YAL in the media. To think there were victims who witnessed me do so, while I was ignorant to his behavior, is devastating. I am so sorry.
Adding insult to injury, Cliff made a statement Saturday at midnight on his personal twitter account, claiming that allegations were "100% false."
This was made to appear as YAL's official position, which it is most certainly not. I have personally clarified that with the board.
This was made to appear as YAL's official position, which it is most certainly not. I have personally clarified that with the board.
Last night, it was announced to YAL staff that Cliff Maloney and Justin Griess have been put on administrative leave pending this investigation.
While this is a relief, it is the first of MANY steps necessary to begin to fix this organization and reconcile with the many people it has hurt. It's going to be a long road.
Many of your stories are from months and even years ago. Students and activists have shared accounts of reaching out to our HR team, higher-ups, and even board members to report the incidents to no end. Accountability was not always taken.
Now, those with evidence are being asked to come forward to share evidence again, and I understand how difficult that is. If you've been a victim of #YALtoo, you are being asked to trust an institution that failed you and possibly traumatized you the first time around.
It should not have taken a social media movement for these changes to be made. The "proper channels" have failed. And an ongoing discussion is being had at YAL about how we can make sure that never happens again.
What I can assure you is that the staff at Young Americans for Liberty shares your skepticism. We will be aggressively holding our board accountable to their promises to finally make this right. And we will not rest until change, both institutional and cultural, is made.
YAL and the Liberty movement cannot be unsafe places for women. If there's anywhere in the world we should belong, it's a movement based on the principles of non-aggression, consent, and personal liberty.
I am thankful for the victims and survivors coming forward, many of them for a second or third time. I was so gravely unaware of your stories, and your bravery is the only reason any of this reached me.
For this investigation to get to the bottom of years of allegations, we need to assemble facts and eyewitness testimony.
If you can help with that, please report it to Amanda Haddaway, YAL's HR rep, directly:
703.338.7176
[email protected]
If you can help with that, please report it to Amanda Haddaway, YAL's HR rep, directly:
703.338.7176
[email protected]
And if you need someone you can talk to about anything, or have concerns about this investigation process, my DMs are open. I am here for you and ready to listen.
