Celebs React To Harvey Weinstein's Rape Verdict
On Feb. 24, 2020, disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein "was found guilty of criminal sexual assault and of rape in the third degree, but was acquitted of the more serious charges of predatory sexual assault and of rape in the first degree" during a jury trial in New York, according to ABC News. The verdict has understandably caused a lot of emotional reactions and was reportedly "a bittersweet moment for many of his accusers and others involved in the #MeToo movement."
A group of women known as "The Silence Breakers," who spoke out against Weinstein and include actresses Ashley Judd and Rosanna Arquette, released a joint statement following the news. The group said it was "disappointing that today's outcome does not deliver the true, full justice that so many deserve." However, it note that at least "Weinstein will now forever be known as a convicted serial predator."
"This conviction would not be possible without the testimony of the courageous women and the many women who have spoken out. Despite intimidation from Weinstein's legal team, they courageously shared their stories with the jury, the courtroom and the world," the statement reads. "This has been a flawed process from the beginning but has further exposed the difficulties women face in coming forward to tell the truth about powerful abusers. Their bravery will forever be remembered in history."
Many celebs were also quick to react to the verdict that sent waves throughout Hollywood and beyond.
Hollywood accusers react to 'the beginning of justice'
In the wake of the guilty verdicts against Harvey Weinstein, many celebrities took to social media to express their thoughts on the case. Mira Sorvino, who was one of many actresses to accuse the producer of inappropriate behavior, noted that while this is a start, Weinstein still faces additional assault charges in an upcoming Los Angeles trial. "The beginning of #justice. More to come, my sisters," Sorvino tweeted, ending her message with the hashtag #weinsteinguilty.
Rosanna Arquette, who was a part of "The Silence Breakers" joint statement, also posted a message to Twitter, writing: "Gratitude to the brave women who've testified and to the jury for seeing through the dirty tactics of the defense. [W]e will change the laws in the future so that rape victims are heard and not discredited and so that it's easier for people to report their rapes."
Fellow actress and accuser Ashley Judd tweeted: "For the women who testified in this case, and walked through traumatic hell, you did a public service to girls and women everywhere, thank you." As for Rose McGowan, who was allegedly raped by the now-convicted criminal, she simply tweeted: "We got you, Harvey Weinstein, we got you."
These famous faces certainly weren't the only stars to share their thoughts on the case against Weinstein.
Celebs praise those who stood up to Harvey Weinstein
Many famous faces in the entertainment industry used social media to make statements about the result of Harvey Weinstein's trial and to praise the more than 100 women who came forward against him.
"Harvey Weinstein is a convicted rapist. No matter how hard the defense might try, he will remain a convicted rapist til the day he dies," actress Ellen Barkin tweeted. She added, "Right now Harvey Weinstein is on his way to prison. These are the women who put him away... Mimi Haleyi, Jessica Mann, Annabella Sciorra, Dawn Dunning, Lauren Young, [and] Tarale Wulff. ... Thank you all for your tremendous courage and strength. You have changed the future for all of us."
Actress Amber Tamblyn, an active member of the movement to change the abusive culture that exists in Hollywood, tweeted: "I stand with the #SilenceBreakers and the men and women everywhere who have faced the injustice of silence for too long. #TimesUp." Television host Padma Lakshmi echoed that sentiment, writing, "Weinstein terrorized and attacked women for decades. Now he will sit in a prison cell where he belongs. Sending so much love, support and most of all gratitude to Annabella Sciorra and all of the women who came forward." Those women and their bravery were also acknowledged by journalist Ronan Farrow, whose reporting helped crack open the case against Weinstein.
Ronan Farrow addressed the 'great personal cost and risk' of those involved
In October 2017, reporter Ronan Farrow wrote a piece for The New Yorker that detailed the accusations of "[m]ultiple women [who each shared] harrowing accounts of sexual assault and harassment by the film executive." Farrow noted that "[s]ince the establishment of the first studios, a century ago, there have been few movie executives as dominant, or as domineering, as Harvey Weinstein." The control that Weinstein wielded was reportedly one of the reasons why it was so difficult for anyone to come forward or attempt to stop the high-powered producer.
It's also why, following the verdict in Weinstein's trial in Manhattan, Farrow applauded the bravery of those who went up against the high-powered producer. "Today's outcome in Harvey Weinstein's New York trial is the result of the decisions of multiple women to come forward to journalists and to prosecutors at great personal cost and risk," Farrow tweeted. "Please keep those women in your thoughts today."