NY Daily News, 5/13/16:
"[Matthew] Sandusky plans to attend a May 25 protest in Manhattan in support of two women who say they were raped as teens by one-time rabbinical student Marc Gafni. 'It’s obviously something I feel strongly, passionately about, to be there in person,' Matt Sandusky said. 'I love the opportunity to be there and help out.'"
Abuse Groups to Protest at Whole Foods 365 Launch in LA
Matthew Sandusky to join coordinated protest at Whole Foods in NYC. New York Times reported Whole Foods CEO link to spiritual leader, former rabbi with "troubled past"
https://www.newswire.com/news/
Newswire:
PRESS RELEASE UPDATED: MAY 13, 2016 10:38 EDT
Matthew Sandusky to join coordinated protest at Whole Foods in NYC. New York Times reported Whole Foods CEO link to spiritual leader, former rabbi with "troubled past"
https://www.newswire.com/news/
PRESS RELEASE MAY 18, 2016 09:00 EDT
Abuse groups, Jewish leaders to stage coordinated protests at Whole Foods in NYC and LA on May 25 -- to coincide with the chain's first 365 store launch. Matthew Sandusky, founder of Peaceful Hearts Foundation, and abused son of pedophile Jerry Sandusky, to join protesters in NYC. Nonprofits SNAP (of Spotlight movie) and NAASCA to join Jewish leaders, protesting Whole Foods co-CEO John Mackey's ties to Marc Gafni, former rabbi with "a troubled past," as reported by The New York Times.
New York, New York, May 18, 2016 (Newswire.com">Newswire.com) -
Advocacy groups SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, featured in the movie Spotlight), Peaceful Hearts Foundation, and NAASCA (
Whole Foods' public statement, 'there's nothing else to say on this matter' could not be more incorrect. For far too long we have allowed child sex abuse to remain in the shadows of silence. Perpetrators groom their victims into silence and society has reinforced that silence. John Mackey and the Whole Foods Market Board of Directors have an opportunity to reach millions with an important message.
MATTHEW SANDUSKY, FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PEACEFUL HEARTS FOUNDATION
The protests are in response to Whole Foods co-CEO John Mackey's link to spiritual leader Marc Gafni, a former rabbi with a "troubled past," as reported by The New York Times in December:
"A co-founder of Whole Foods, John Mackey, a proponent of conscious capitalism, calls Mr. Gafni 'a bold visionary.' He is a chairman of the executive board of Mr. Gafni's center, and he hosts board meetings at his Texas ranch."
And of one of his accusers, "He [Gafni] added, 'She was 14 going on 35, and I never forced her.'"
After The Times story broke, Rabbi Ingber led a petition drive, co-authored by more than 100 rabbis and Jewish leaders, demanding that Whole Foods sever ties with Gafni, citing "many, repeated and serious allegations, both public and private, former and recent."
Sara Kabakov came forward publicly for the first time in her opinion piece in The Forward: "I Was 13 When Marc Gafni's Abuse Began." Mackey has been widely criticized by expertsin business, academia, and survivors' advocacy work.
Mackey's only statement, posted on his Whole Foods Market blog, says his affiliation with Gafni is "strictly a personal relationship," and includes a link to their 7-part video dialogue on Gafni's website. Whole Foods has made a parallel statement on Twitterand Facebook, defining Mackey's relationship with Gafni as "his personal business." A spokesperson for Whole Foods Market emailed: “John no longer serves on Mr. Gafni’s board and has no connection to the Center for Integral Wisdom. That being said, there’s nothing else to say on this matter.”
But leaders working to eradicate child sexual abuse think Mackey needs to say more. Survivor, author, and advocate Nikki DuBose wrote
The NY Daily News reported:
"[Matthew] Sandusky plans to attend a May 25 protest [at Whole Foods] in Manhattan in support of two women who say they were sexually abused as teens by one-time rabbinical student Marc Gafni. 'It’s obviously something I feel strongly, passionately about, to be there in person,' Matt Sandusky said. 'I love the opportunity to be there and help out.'"
David Clohessy, Executive Director of SNAP, from their press release:
"We disagree with the public relations staffer who claims 'there's nothing else to say on this matter.' If you've hurt people, distancing yourself from a wrongdoer isn't enough. You have a moral duty to do more. We hope to see tangible helpful action by Mackey very soon to lessen the harm he has caused by his irresponsible affiliation with and support for an admitted sex offender."
Bill Murray, founder and CEO of NAASCA:
"As a community, we need to bring light into the shadows of the taboo issues of child sexual abuse -- we must expose institutional enabling to stop the silence and change the culture. Instead of stepping out of this discussion, Whole Foods should publicly step up to the plate by taking a responsible corporate stand against child sexual abuse as soon as possible."
Matthew Sandusky, founder and Executive Director, Peaceful Hearts Foundation, and author ofUndaunted: Breaking My Silence to Overcome the Trauma of Child Sexual Abuse:
"Whole Foods' public statement, 'there's nothing else to say on this matter' could not be more incorrect. For far too long we have allowed child sex abuse to remain in the shadows of silence. Instead of maintaining the societal norm of silence around these issues, I would like to see them take a stand against child sexual abuse publicly -- to take a leadership role in getting the message across that we can no longer remain silent."
# # #
Response from The New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet is below.
Thanks so much for including me on your show and in your very important work!
Oh, and here's my story about getting reamed by Doug Rauch, co-CEO of Conscious Capitalism:
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dean Baquet <dbaquet@nytimes.com>
Date: Sun, May 22, 2016 at 10:03 AM
Subject: Re: Why hasn't NYT reported news of Governor Andrew Cuomo and Child Victims Act?
From: Dean Baquet <dbaquet@nytimes.com>
Date: Sun, May 22, 2016 at 10:03 AM
Subject: Re: Why hasn't NYT reported news of Governor Andrew Cuomo and Child Victims Act?
Only someone quite paranoid would see such a connection. But thanks for calling this to my attention.
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
Dear Mr. Baquet,I hope this email finds you well.I am curious about why The New York Times has not reported on what seems to be a newsworthy story -- New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo backing proposed legislation of the Child Victims Act, led by Assemblywoman Margaret Markey:Child sexual abuse survivor Sara Kabakov is working with Assemblywoman Markey to help champion this legislation. Ms. Kabakov came forward publicly for the first time, identifying herself as the 14-year old subject of this quote in The New York Times on December 25, 2015:"Mr. Gafni was quoted saying they had been in love. He added, “She was 14 going on 35, and I never forced her.”
Also reported in The Times December 25 story, Whole Foods co-CEO John Mackey's relationship with Marc Gafni:"A co-founder of Whole Foods, John Mackey, a proponent of conscious capitalism, calls Mr. Gafni “a bold visionary.” He is a chairman of the executive board of Mr. Gafni’scenter, and he hosts board meetings at his Texas ranch."
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/26/us/marc-gafni-center- for-integral-wisdom.html
NYT Publisher and Chairman Arthur O. Sulzberger's wife Gabrielle Greene Sulzberger sits on the Whole Foods Market board of directors. According to 7/20/15 proxy statement, Mrs. Sulzberger’s 2014 Whole Foods Market cash compensation was $422,049. According to 6/18/15 SEC reporting, Mrs. Sulzberger held 64,666 shares of WFM stock, valued at approximately $2 million.I am not saying there is a causal relationship between The Times absence of reporting on the Child Victims Act and the Sulzberger family financial interests in Whole Foods Market. But to assuage any remote concern about conflict of interest, I would like to invite The Times to closely consider what it deems newsworthy, both on the Child Victims Act, and this follow-up to The Times 12/25 story, about coordinated protests at Whole Foods in NYC and Los Angeles, May 25:Thank you for your time and consideration,Best,Nancy Levine
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