Asia Argento, Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino react to Harvey Weinstein verdict: 'The beginning of justice'
On Monday, a Manhattan jury found Harvey Weinstein guilty on two of five possible counts: criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree. With the producer — who was found not guilty of rape in the first degree or two counts of predatory sexual assault (two counts) — headed to jail until his March 11 sentencing, many of those who have accused him of harassment and sexual assault are sharing their reactions to the verdict.
Ashley Judd, who went public about rejecting Weinstein’s advances in Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey’s New York Times 2017 exposé, thanked the six women — Lauren Young, Miriam Haley, Dawn Dunning, Tarale Wulff and fellow actress Annabella Sciorra — who testified against him.
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.#ConvictWeinstein #Guilty
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) February 24, 2020
I am. Thank you. I am thinking about how it took 90 women coming forward for two guilty convictions.... https://t.co/S8NehU2Itv
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) February 24, 2020
Italian actress Asia Argento, who says Weinstein raped her at the Cannes Film Festival in the 1990s, posted a photo with model Samantha Panagrosso, who has also accused Weinstein of making unwanted sexual advances. “Harvey Weinstein is now a convicted rapist,” Argento wrote. “Two survivors cry and celebrate. Thank you God.”
Rose McGowan, who also accused Weinstein of rape, issued a statement, likened the verdict to “taking out the trash.”
Rose McGowan called today "a huge step forward in collective healing": "For once he won't be sitting comfortably. For once he will know what it's like to have power wrapped around his neck. Today is not a referendum of #MeToo. This is taking out the trash." #HarveyWeinstein https://t.co/1z6RNVfbh1
— Lesley Messer (@lesleymesser) February 24, 2020
Today is a powerful day & a huge step forward in our collective healing
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) February 24, 2020
I'm proud of the brave women who testified, they have taken out a monster on earth. Thank you to the prosecutor & jury who said not one more. Thank you to the public for examining things more deeply. I can finally exhale
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) February 24, 2020
Rosanna Arquette, who says her career suffered after she rebuffed Weinstein in the ‘90s, called for reforms to make it “easier for people to report their rapes.” Fellow accuser Mira Sorvino, meanwhile, called it the “beginning of justice.” Actress Claire Forlani, who also spoke of her own experiences with Weinstein, called it “an important day.”
Gratitude to the brave women who’ve testified and to the jury for seeing through the dirty tactics of the defense .we 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
— Rosanna Arquette🌎?🏼 (@RoArquette) February 24, 2020
The beginning of #justice. More to come, my sisters. #weinsteinguilty
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) February 24, 2020
An important day! Justice is done and this supports the awareness of the consequences when you abuse a woman! #MeToo 👊 https://t.co/GC7D664Uwu
— Claire Forlani (@ClaireAForlani) February 24, 2020
Rosie Perez, who testified that pal Sciorra had told her in 1993 about being raped by Weinstein, celebrated the verdict but added that she was “gutted for my dear friend,” as the jury did not convict on the count involving the Sopranos actress. Sciorra released her own statement later in the day.
HARVEY WEINSTEIN HAS BEEN HANDCUFFED & TAKEN TO JAIL! GUTTED FOR MY DEAR FRIEND #ANNABELLASCIORRA WHO TOLD THE TRUTH! YET I CONGRATULATE HER & ALL WHO CAME FORWARD FOR THEIR BRAVERY. THIS IS NOT ENOUGH BUT SURVIVORS TAKE COURAGE! THIS IS STILL A GREAT WIN! CONGRATS JOAN ILLUZZI! https://t.co/LihJLiudNo
— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) February 24, 2020
JUST IN: Annabella Sciorra’s statement in response to the Harvey Weinstein verdict today. pic.twitter.com/klnKdFlJAL
— Alanna Vagianos (@lannadelgrey) February 24, 2020
Other notable reactions came from journalists Kantor and Ronan Farrow, who won Pulitzers, alongside Twohey, for reporting the Weinstein story, as well as actor Anthony Rapp. Rapp was the first to go public with allegations of sexual misconduct against Kevin Spacey. Time’s Up also issued a statement noting that “Harvey Weinstein will now forever be known as a convicted serial predator,” adding that “our fight is far from over” as the producer faces another trial in Los Angeles.
BREAKING: A New York jury has found Harvey Weinstein guilty on two counts - criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree.
The following is a statement in response from 23 #Silencebreakers: pic.twitter.com/fXtoZ3Evzc— TIME'S UP (@TIMESUPNOW) February 24, 2020
"I'm Harvey Weinstein-- you know what I can do."
Weinstein, whose signature throughout forty years of allegations was lack of accountability, has been declared guilty on two counts.— jodikantor (@jodikantor) February 24, 2020
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. Please keep those women in your thoughts today.
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) February 24, 2020
I applaud the women who bravely stepped forward to help forever alter the conversation around what they — and all of us — have to put up with. Gratified to see some justice being served here. #MeToo https://t.co/wR4f66uecj
— Anthony Rapp (@albinokid) February 24, 2020
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
Tarale Wulff— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) February 24, 2020
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.
— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) February 24, 2020
Don’t forget- Harvey Weinstein faces four more charges in Los Angeles. This is just the beginning of holding him accountable. https://t.co/BY3nNxmwNt
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) February 24, 2020
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.— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) February 24, 2020
I am heartened for his victims and for all those who said #metoo and #TimesUp that some justice has been done. https://t.co/5PYPfhRPjq
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) February 24, 2020
Harvey won’t need his walker anymore. He can hold onto the bars.
— Paula Pell (@perlapell) February 24, 2020
In the future, when people think back on Harvey Weinstein, I hope the first image that pops into their heads is that coward shuffling into court w his fake walker
— Liz Phair (@PhizLair) February 24, 2020
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