SAN DIEGO — Petitioner Valorie Matthews has refused to remove her handwritten sign seeking donations of new (or lightly used) sex toys as part of the effort to recall Mayor Bob Filner.
“Save the women of S.D. Donate your new and gentley [sic] used sex toys to Filner or sign the recall petition,” the sign reads. Matthews stationed herself, the sign and a bucket for sex toys outside of a local Albertson’s supermarket and has been asking passers-by for signatures and relevant donations.
Filner has been under fire since a former coworker accused him of sexual harassment. More than a dozen women have now come forward and echoed the accusation, saying he attempted unwanted sexual advances in both public and private environments.
The San Diego Mayor is currently in mediation with city leaders for the sexual harassment allegations, as well as potentially misusing his city-issued credit card and other illegal financial schemes.
Matthews hopes to expedite Filner’s removal from office, but has been asked to abandon her suggestive sign or leave the premises by Albertsons officials.
An Albertsons attorney offered this statement to NBC 7: “Ms. Matthews has also chosen to put a sign that has an adult theme which is not appropriate for children or our family-friendly environment. We've explained to Ms. Matthews that she can continue to collect petition signatures at our stores if she removes the sign. Unfortunately, she has refused.”
Instead, the petitioner says she’ll be back, sign and all, tomorrow.
“This is the United States of America. I can say anything I want, anywhere I want to anyone I want,” she said.
Matthews has thus far collected 300 signatures for the campaign and zero sex toys.
