Actresses react indignantly to the overturned conviction of Harvey Weinstein

Former film producer Harvey Weinstein did not receive a fair trial, according to the New York appeals court. The actresses involved react indignantly now that the conviction has been annulled.

The annulment of the conviction of former film producer Harvey Weinstein by the appeals court in New York is causing great outrage. At a hastily called press conference, actress Ashley Judd, who was in 2017, stood The New York Times was the first to come out with accusations against Weinstein, to speak to the press. She spoke of “an act of institutional betrayal” and repeated her accusations against the fallen producer. “This is what it feels like to be a woman in America, living with men who appropriate your body,” she said.

Tarana Burke also spoke at the same press conference. The American activist and founder of the MeToo movement regretted the blow that the annulment means for Weinstein’s victims, who had found comfort and catharsis in his conviction. But she also sounded combative: “We do what we have to do. We will continue our work, this case will not change that.”

In a response to the American newspaper USAToday actress Jessica Barth called the decision a “tragic step backwards.” She also made accusations against Weinstein in 2017. “Evidence of prior crimes to demonstrate a pattern of behavior is often admissible in criminal cases and should absolutely be allowed in cases of sexual assault,” Barth said.

Actress Rose McGowan addresses her followers in a video message: “I am proud of what we have achieved, what we have achieved. No matter what they annul, they cannot take away from us who we are, what we are, what we have experienced and what we can achieve in this life.”

Oscar winner Mira Sorvino expressed her incomprehension on platform X. Sorvino writes that she is “disgusted by the justice system that tends to listen to predators and not victims.”

New process

Weinstein’s lawyer Arthur Aidala responded enthusiastically: “Today’s ruling is not just a victory for Harvey Weinstein, but for every citizen in this country accused of a crime.” His team now argues that the same procedural errors were made at the 2022 trial in California, in which Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison for rape.

Meanwhile, Manhattan prosecutor Alvin L. Bragg must decide whether there will be a new trial against Weinstein in New York. “We will do everything in our power to reopen this case and remain steadfast in our commitment to survivors of sexual violence,” a spokesperson for Bragg told Reuters.