Donald Trump to pardon women's suffragist Susan B Anthony

US President Donald Trump says he will posthumously pardon US women's rights activist Susan B Anthony who was fined in 1872 for voting illegally.

President Donald Trump (L) and US women's rights activist Susan B Anthony.

President Donald Trump (L) and US women's rights activist Susan B Anthony. Source: AAP

US President Donald Trump says he will pardon Susan B Anthony, a women's rights activist who was arrested for voting in 1872, before women had the right to vote in the United States.

"Later today I will be signing a full and complete pardon for Susan B Anthony," Mr Trump said.

"She was never pardoned. What took so long?"
On Centennial of 19th Amendment, Trump Pardons Susan B. Anthony and Targets 2020 Election
(The New York Times) Source: The New York Times
Ms Anthony was one of the most prominent leaders of the women's suffrage movement, according to the National Women's History Museum website.

She was also a champion of temperance, labour rights and equal pay for equal work.

Her arrest in New York in 1872, when she was tried and fined $US100 for her crime, drew attention to the women's rights movement across the US.
Voters lined up on Election Day to place "I voted" stickers on the grave of Susan B. Anthony in 2016.
Voters lined up on election day to place "I voted" stickers on the grave of Susan B. Anthony at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Rochester, NY. Source: Democrat & Chronicle
Ms Anthony died in 1906, 14 years before women secured the right to vote with the ratification of the 19th amendment to the US constitution in 1920.
Mr Trump made the announcement at a White House ceremony celebrating the 100th anniversary of the amendment's passage.

"It was a monumental victory for equality, for justice, and a monumental victory for America," the president said.

Mr Trump, who faces a difficult reelection 3 November against Democrat Joe Biden, is working to build support among women, especially what he says are "suburban housewives" living in fear of seeing low-income housing built in their neighborhoods.


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2 min read
Published 19 August 2020 6:40am
Updated 19 August 2020 7:24am
Source: AAP, SBS


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