Marina Lacerda, from Braxil, Had to Quit 9th Grade to Keep up with Epstein Demands on Her time.  She Never Finished Her Education.

US Rep. Thomas Masssie (R-WV) at the Bipartisan Press Conference Today Oudtside US Capitol. Behind Him in Black is Anaska de Georgiou

Courtney Wild, Asked for a Moment of Silence for Those Who Didn’t Survive.  She Wanted to Know Why Epstein Received a “Sweeet Heart Deal.”

Sky Roberts, Brother of One of the Victims, who Committed Suicide Earlier this Year, Testified Today.

Anauska de Georgiou said: “The days of sweeping this under the rug are over.”  Behind Her is Blade Edwards, one of the Artorneys for the Survivors of the Estein/Maxwell Abuse.

Victim after victim – in all ten articulate and poised women — told their gutretching stories of abuse by Epstein/Maxwell at a bipartisan press conference outside the US capitol in Washington, DC this morning.  Some were more graphic than others – but there was no mistaking what the survivors want:

the Trump adminisration to release the entire Epstein files – not just bits and pieces that have been previously distributed to the public.  The bipatisan event was bookended by US Representatives Thomas Massie (R-WV) and Ro Khanna, D-CA)

The timing comes as Congress reconvenes from its summer break – a break that happened early because Speaker Mark (Moses) Johnson, on orders from Trump, adjourned Congress early to avoid a vote on the release of the Epstein files.  Trump’s obsession with preventing the release, at  any cost, has sparked speculation:  Who is Trump protecting?  Wealthy donors?

One of the first speakers at the press conference was Marina Lacerda, from Brazil.  She was told she could earn $300. to give massages to Epstein.  His demands for her services became so intense, that she had to drop out of the 9th grade to meet Epstein’s demands on her time.  She was promised a full time job by Epstein – until she was “too old” to continue.  She never finished her education..  “We matter now and we will not stop speaking and sharing our stories,” she said.

Chauantoe Davies grew up in California and wanted to be an actress.  She was asked to give a massage to Epstein and was invited to an Island to do so.  She was assured that Epstein could help her with her acting career.  “There are government files with lots of information.  Why President Trump do you continue to cover this up?” she asked.

Lisa Phillips, was taken to an Island and introducted to the Ford Model Agency.  She said that the victims know who the other abusers were.  “We have created our own list.  Stay tuned for more details.  This is not a hoax.  It won’t be going away.”

Annie Farmer was recuited at the age of 16.  “We still do not know where all the reports are and why they were not investigated,” she said.  “We are not going away.  There are two Americas.  One for the rich and one for the not rich.”

Rep. Ro Khana summarized the l l/2 hour press conference saying that the survivors have created a list of those in which victims were farmed out to some of Epstein’s friends.  It not has been determined how to distribute that list, however.  He said he came away with questions:  Why is our government covering this up?  Who else was involved in the Epstein/Maxwell sex abuse and internationl trafficking?  He said this event may have helped our country come togehter.  “I’ve never done a press conferrence with Majorie T. Green before,” he quipped to laughter on this dark day for Trump and his Republican allies.

“i don’t know at all how Senator Collins feels about this,” said Elizabeth, from Swans Island this afternoon in a telephone call to the Senator’s Washington, DC office.  The question from this blogger to Elizabeth was:  “Does the Senator feel this is a “democrat hoax” as President Trump says it is.  ‘I don’t know,” she repeated.  When asked if Elizabeh thought it was a hoax:  Silence.

Who is Senator Collins protecting?