#BelieveAllWomenUnlessItsPoliticallyInconvenient
The revelation that Linda Sarsour, an Islamist activist who praised Saudi Arabia's treatment of women, had threatened a sexual harassment victim disturbed the media. And so now the media is playing defense.
Here's the original Daily Caller story.
In response, Sarsour, a self-proclaimed champion of women, attacked the woman bringing the allegations, often threatening and body-shaming her, these sources alleged. The most serious allegations were dismissed, Asmi Fathelbab, the alleged victim told The Daily Caller, because the accused (Palestinian emigrant, Majed Seif) was a “good Muslim” who was “always at the Mosque.”
“She oversaw an environment unsafe and abusive to women,” said Fathelbab, a former employee at the Arab American Association. “Women who put [Sarsour] on a pedestal for women’s rights and empowerment deserve to know how she really treats us.”
BuzzFeed will be playing the part of Harvey Weinstein's lawyer. Courtesy of Talal Ansari. Most of his smear piece is dedicated to letting Sarsour play the victim.
Women’s March organizer Linda Sarsour is rejecting a report that says she failed to act on sexual harassment claims at the nonprofit she led, producing affidavits that cast doubt on elements of the story published late Sunday by right-wing outlet the Daily Caller.
Except the affidavits consist of Linda Sarsour calling the woman in question a liar.
Sarsour said she’s “dumbfounded” by Fathelbab’s version of what happened. As referenced in the documents Sarsour provided, she gave ACCESS an affidavit dated Aug. 13, 2009. Sarsour defended Seif in the statement and wrote that it was Fathelbab who was creating a hostile environment by telling co-workers stories of alleged harassment.
In short, Sarsour exonerates Sarsour.
Except that this neatly matches what has been alleged about Sarsour's treatment of the victim. Then BuzzFeed quotes two male supporters of Sarsour's story.
#BelieveAllWomenUnlessTheyAccuseAnIslamist