A national sexual assault prevention group, Promoting Awareness/Victim Empowerment, started a petition and called for President Obama to revoke Bill Cosby's Presidential Medal of Freedom. The medal was presented to the comedian in 2002 by President George W. Bush before it was public knowledge that Cosby allegedly sexually assaulted dozens of women.
"The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor award to an American civilian," said Angela Rose, executive director of the group. "The list of those receiving this honor include America's finest citizens - from Mother Teresa to Eunice Kennedy Shriver to Meryl Streep. Bill Cosby's name does not belong among this distinguished list."
White House Press Secretary John Earnest told reporters he did not know if the Obama administration could remove the medal. "I don't know whether or not it's legally possible to do so," he said. Administration officials said there are no ongoing discussions about stripping Cosby of the award, reported the New York Daily News.
"Cosby admitted to procuring drugs to have sex with women without their consent. He has been accused of serial rape by dozens of others. We cannot yet give his accusers their day in court, but we can fight back in the court of public opinion," said Rose.
Earlier this week Disney announced its removal of a Cosby statue from Walt Disney World. In December, the U.S. Navy stripped Cosby of his honorary title of Chief Petty Officer. You can sign the petition here.
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