In a shocking turn of events, Hollywood stars have expressed their disbelief and outrage as Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 conviction on sex crime charges has been overturned by New York’s highest court. The decision has sparked a wave of emotions among actresses who have accused Weinstein of assault, with many taking to social media to share their thoughts.
Ashley Judd, the first actress to come forward with allegations against Weinstein, expressed her disappointment on Instagram, stating, “This is unfair to survivors. We live in our truth. We know what happened.” Rosanna Arquette, another actress and Weinstein accuser, also voiced her dismay, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “Harvey was rightfully convicted. It’s unfortunate that the court has overturned his conviction. As a survivor, I am beyond disappointed.”
The Court of Appeals’ 4-3 decision cited errors in the trial judge’s admission of testimony from additional women who were allegedly abused by Weinstein but were not named in the charges against him. This ruling has ordered a new trial for Weinstein in New York, although it does not affect his separate 16-year rape sentence in California.
The overturning of Weinstein’s conviction has reignited the conversation around the #MeToo movement, which was sparked by the allegations against the former movie producer in 2017. Actress Mira Sorvino, another Weinstein accuser, expressed her horror on social media, stating, “He’s a prolific serial predator who raped/harmed 200+ women! Disgusted w/justice system skew towards predators, not victims.”
As the news continues to unfold, Hollywood and the world at large are left grappling with the implications of this decision and what it means for survivors of sexual violence. The reactions from these prominent actresses serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for justice and accountability in the face of abuse.