Posted on 10/09/2017 7:44:07 AM PDT by EdnaMode
Academy Award winner Meryl Streep called the alleged sexual harassment by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein disgraceful, inexcusable, and an abuse of power. She called the women who have spoken out against him heroes.
In a statement sent to HuffPost exclusively by Streeps longtime publicist Leslee Dart, Streep says she did not know that Weinstein― with whom she has collaborated for years on films like August: Osage County and The Iron Lady and once jokingly referred to as a God― was engaging in inappropriate, coercive acts and that he had paid financial settlements to at least eight women after they accused him of harassment and assault.
Streeps statement comes four days after an explosive report in the New York Times detailed decades of allegations of sexual harassment and abuse. On Sunday, the board of directors of the Weinstein Company terminated him citing new information about misconduct by Harvey Weinstein that has emerged in the past few days.
Heres Streeps full statement:
The disgraceful news about Harvey Weinstein has appalled those of us whose work he championed, and those whose good and worthy causes he supported. The intrepid women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes.
One thing can be clarified. Not everybody knew. Harvey supported the work fiercely, was exasperating but respectful with me in our working relationship, and with many others with whom he worked professionally. I didnt know about these other offenses: I did not know about his financial settlements with actresses and colleagues; I did not know about his having meetings in his hotel room, his bathroom, or other inappropriate, coercive acts. And If everybody knew, I dont believe that all the investigative reporters in the entertainment and the hard news media would have neglected for decades to write about it.
The behavior is inexcusable, but the abuse of power familiar. Each brave voice that is raised, heard and credited by our watchdog media will ultimately change the game.
Weinstein was initially suspended by his eponymous company following the revelations, which included claims from former staffers as well as actresses like Ashley Judd. And on Friday, TV reporter Lauren Sivan told HuffPost exclusively that Weinstein had cornered her at a restaurant closed to the public and masturbated in front of her.
Members of the entertainment community have come under fire for being slow in responding to the Weinstein crisis. Over the weekend, Saturday Night Live Executive Producer Lorne Michaels came under fire for cutting jokes from the show that involved Weinstein. The New York Times reported that several jokes were tested during dress rehearsal but that they fell flat with the studio audience.
Michaels said he cut the jokes because Weinstein is a New York thing, meaning that he didnt feel a national audience would appreciate the jokes.
Most of the late-night hosts, including Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, omitted the story in their Thursday night broadcasts. On The Daily Show, host Trevor Noah on Thursday made only a passing reference to Weinstein.
Weinstein was a prominent donor to Democratic candidates and liberal causes and was a frequent guest at the White Houses of former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Some Democrats who received donations from him have pledged to donate the money to other causes.
While some Hollywood stars have called out Weinstein, including younger actors like Lena Dunham and Amber Tamblyn, longtime collaborators like Gwyneth Paltrow and Quentin Tarantino have remained silent.
I guess the 8 PREVIOUS settlements were not enough
These people know everything about everybody in Hollywood. Gossip sustains the place. To claim she didn’t know is laughable.
They loved his money more than what was going on.
I was thinking the same thing.
[The behavior is inexcusable, but the abuse of power familiar. Each brave voice that is raised, heard and credited by our watchdog media will ultimately change the game.]
Great acting with the appropriate script.
Hey Saint Meryl, whose casting couch did you use?
Supposedly everyone knows everything about everyone in Hollywood. I think she knew.
Trump just said it could be done. Weinstein actually did it.
Just posted something similar (hadn’t seen your post yet). Totally agree. I’ve seen posts from various people online that everyone really does know everything about everyone.
They all knew about the pervert Harvey. They remained silent.
Including this liberal actress.
Donate the money to other causes? Lets see a list of these other causes. Maybe The Clinton Foundation or Planned Parenthood?
This reminds me of the fact that Obama allowed the big banks/Wall Street firms that had multi-million (billion) dollar fines reduced significantly if they would donate it to so-called charities. It is time to end all non-profit status and special privileges.
And the media is complicit in covering up DemocRat corruption.
Weinstein bullied women, took advantage of the powerless and young and sexual abused them...
Teddy Kennedy let an innocent woman die - by drowning - to cover up his philandering... murder of an innocent to save his political career
Bill Clinton?
He raped powerless woman than set 'sluts and nuts' teams to trash them into silence. Lied about them - said Monica AND her mother had mental problems and were making up the story of an affair. Without the blue dress stained with semen the lies would have stood. Clinton raped powerless women without even a cheap dinner and a "tour of his office" first... Hollywood loved Bill Clinton. He was one of them... One with 'the elites'...
Meryl sees these scummy liberal 'elite' men as 'heroes' - - the powerful liberal 'elites' who take advantage of powerless citizens. It's why Meryl Streep hates Trump Supporters - we see these people for what they are...
That said, it's good that Meryl Streep has come forward with this statement - it might be a day late and a dollar short but it's more than most of the creeps in Hollywood have said... Good for Meryl Streep.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Yeah, Meryl....you JUST found out about this, right???!!!
Whatta joke.
Meryl and the misogynist.
Meryl Streep is nothing but a tool of the Left. She will parrot the talking points put in front of her and does not have the ability to think for herself.
It’s not just Hollywood. Thespianism draws the extravert perverts as moths to light. It is not a child friendly environment.
I don't for one second believe Streep did not know.
What a milk-toast statement. Backhanded praise of Weinstein for his films and charity efforts. And then the “I know nothing” defense from one of the most connected Hollywood stars.
“I that a banana in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me.”
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