Hollywood stars, including multiple actresses who have accused Harvey Weinstein of assault, reacted with shock and outrage Thursday after the former movie producer’s New York sex crimes conviction was overturned. Rosanna Arquette, Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino were among those to speak out.
“This is unfair to survivors. We live in our truth. We know what happened,” said Judd, the first actress to come forward with allegations against Weinstein.In what Judd called “an act of institutional betrayal“, New York’s highest court, in a 4-3 decision, ordered a new trial, saying the first one had prejudiced Weinstein, 72, with improper rulings, including letting some accusers testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case. Weinstein will remain in jail, however, because he was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 of another rape.
“As a survivor, I am beyond disappointed,” Arquette, actress and Weinstein accuser, told Hollywood Reporter. “Horrified!… He’s a prolific serial predator who raped/harmed 200+women! Disgusted w/justice system,” said Sorvino, actress and Weinstein accuser, via X. “They will never overturn who we are,” Rose McGowan, actress and another Weinstein accuser, via Instagram.
However, #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, who nearly two decades ago coined the phrase from her work with sexual assault survivors, said the movement was greater than any court case. It’s still there, and it’s working. The most obvious proof, she said: “Ten years ago we could not get a man like Weinstein into the courtroom.”
Also seeking to take the long view was Anita Hill. She testified against Clarence Thomas during his 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearing, becoming the face of the fight against sexual harassment more than a quarter-century before the Weinstein revelations launched the #MeToo movement. Hill now heads the Hollywood Commission, which seeks to fight harassment in the entertainment industry. She sought to reassure survivors that progress is real. “No single legal ruling can ever match the tremendous progress we have made together in the movement against sexual violence. The movement will persist driven by the truth of our testimonies.”
“This is unfair to survivors. We live in our truth. We know what happened,” said Judd, the first actress to come forward with allegations against Weinstein.In what Judd called “an act of institutional betrayal“, New York’s highest court, in a 4-3 decision, ordered a new trial, saying the first one had prejudiced Weinstein, 72, with improper rulings, including letting some accusers testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case. Weinstein will remain in jail, however, because he was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 of another rape.
“As a survivor, I am beyond disappointed,” Arquette, actress and Weinstein accuser, told Hollywood Reporter. “Horrified!… He’s a prolific serial predator who raped/harmed 200+women! Disgusted w/justice system,” said Sorvino, actress and Weinstein accuser, via X. “They will never overturn who we are,” Rose McGowan, actress and another Weinstein accuser, via Instagram.
However, #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, who nearly two decades ago coined the phrase from her work with sexual assault survivors, said the movement was greater than any court case. It’s still there, and it’s working. The most obvious proof, she said: “Ten years ago we could not get a man like Weinstein into the courtroom.”
Also seeking to take the long view was Anita Hill. She testified against Clarence Thomas during his 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearing, becoming the face of the fight against sexual harassment more than a quarter-century before the Weinstein revelations launched the #MeToo movement. Hill now heads the Hollywood Commission, which seeks to fight harassment in the entertainment industry. She sought to reassure survivors that progress is real. “No single legal ruling can ever match the tremendous progress we have made together in the movement against sexual violence. The movement will persist driven by the truth of our testimonies.”
