Overnight on Tuesday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren read a letter by Coretta Scott King — widow of Martin Luther King Jr. — opposing Jeff Sessions' nomination for a federal judgeship in 1986 during a debate over the Alabama senator's nomination to be attorney general.
However, she was prevented from doing so after Senate Republicans — led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — invoked an arcane rule to stop her from speaking, winning a vote by 49–43.
Warren had previously been a warned about violating the rule, but expressed her surprise that Coretta Scott King's words were considered "not suitable for debate in the United States Senate" after she was told to take her seat.
Later, McConnell defended his actions, and said: “Sen. Warren was giving a lengthy speech. She had appeared to violate the rule. She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.”
The statement only served as a rallying cry for feminists and Warren's progressive base, and soon "nevertheless, she persisted" and the hashtag #LetLizSpeak were being widely shared on Twitter.
brb getting "nevertheless, she persisted" tattooed on my body. #letlizspeak
"Nevertheless, she persisted" | Man, the future is definitely FEMALE.
“[Warren] was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted,” said @SenateMajLdr, providing a history of feminism.
@Claire_Phipps will add that to my grave stone tbh
People began sharing the quote alongside pictures of strong female role models who refused to be silenced.
“She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.”
Such as Rosa Parks...
“She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted."
Malala Yousafzai
"She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted."
Harriet Tubman
"She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted." #ShePersisted #HarrietTubman… https://t.co/kSFG07fLcU
Emmeline Pankhurst
“She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.” (Emmeline Pankhurst)
Gabrielle Giffords
"Nevertheless, she persisted."
...and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia.
She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.
Some pointed out McConnell had not only drawn extra attention to Coretta Scott King's Sessions letter, but also may have accidentally coined the slogan for a new opposition movement.
Then he wrote her campaign slogan "She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted,” A go… https://t.co/P4B0ooX780
I hope @SenateMajLdr realizes he just gave us the best lady power slogan of all time #NeverthelessShePersisted #LetLizSpeak
While others just used the quote to have a dig at President Trump and his inner circle.
#NeverthelessShePersisted https://t.co/U00QaH1MNS
Nevertheless, she persisted. 💪
She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.
The final vote on Sessions' nomination as attorney general is due to take place Wednesday.