Group wants Cosby’s Medal of Freedom revoked

In a statement, the group said, “Bill Cosby’s name does not belong among this distinguished list”.

“As such, we urge President Obama to take the unprecedented action of revoking this award and that Bill Cosby’s name be expunged from any official list of recipients”, she continued.

Cosby has been accused of drugging and/or raping dozens of women during his decades-long career.

PAVE submitted a petition to the White House on Wednesday.

Unlike the Medal of Honor for military valor, the Medal of Freedom isn’t authorized by Congress. President Truman established it by executive order in 1945 to recognize civilians who helped the war effort. “Not any of you threatening me or telling me you’re coming after me because you don’t like what I said is going to change the fact that no one has convicted him, he has not been arrested, and the bottom line is that’s the law – innocent, until proven guilty”.

President George W. Bush presented the nation’s highest civilian honor to Cosby in 2002, citing his revolutionary portrayal of blacks on television and his interest and dedication to education.

The group’s demand is just the latest twist in the allegations that Cosby repeatedly drugged and raped women, after previously sealed court documents that were released this week showed that Cosby admitted to getting quaaludes to give to women he wanted to seduce. “I don’t know whether or not it’s legally possible to do so”.

Rape allegations against comedian and mega-celebrity Bill Cosby have dominated headlines in the USA this week.

The medal is symbolic and carries no benefits, so it’s unclear how it would be revoked.

This is the first time that Cosby’s presidential medal has been targeted.