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Congresswomen Are Planning Their Own #TimesUp Protest for Trump's SOTU

Female lawmakers are asking men and women, Republicans and Democrats, to wear black in solidarity with the #MeToo movement.
(L-R) US Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Rep. Val Demings (D-FL), and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

Washington, like Hollywood, has seen multiple powerful men swept up in recent allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, seeing as Congress is the kind of place that behavior has been able to thrive. Now some female lawmakers are working to call attention to the Hill's troubling environment, orchestrating their own #MeToo protest inspired by the Golden Globes.

According to NBC News, female Democrats in the House are planning to wear black like their Hollywood counterparts to call attention to the #MeToo movement at Trump's upcoming State of the Union. The January 30 speech will bring together all members of Congress, and both men and women are encouraged to join in the demonstration.

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The idea was spearheaded by representatives in the Democratic Women's Working Group, which includes California's Jackie Speier, who's been one of the strongest voices speaking out about sexual harassment on Capitol Hill. After sharing her own sexual assault experience, Speier spearheaded legislation that would change the way misconduct is reported in Congress.

Along with Speier, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has also pledged to wear black for the cause.

"We are supporting the brave women in every industry and every corner of the country who are making their voices heard,” Pelosi said in a statement, according to ABC. "We are at a watershed moment in the nationwide fight against sexual harassment and discrimination, and we must continue to keep up the drumbeat of action for real change."

Like the women at the Golden Globes, the lawmakers' effort aims to call more attention to the #MeToo movement and the Times Up initiative, which was founded by 300 women in the entertainment industry working to combat sexual harassment across multiple industries. The initiative includes a $13 million legal defense fund, made up of donations, for women hoping to fight sexual harassment in the workplace.

Related: Senator Gillibrand Is an Unstoppable Advocate