Last week, former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was found guilty for two out of five sex crimes, including rape.
Weinstein was reportedly seen in court muttering the words “I’m innocent,” to his lawyers after the verdict was revealed.
Six women sat down and testified in front of a Manhattan jury against the 67-year-old, who now faces up to 29 years jail time. After the trial, Weinstein was taken to Bellevue Medical Center after he complained about chest pains and high blood pressure.
The allegations and exposés against Weinstein that were published in the New York Times and The New Yorker in 2017 were the sparks that lit the #MeToo fire. Thousands of women worldwide took to social media to reveal their experiences of abuse by powerful men.
Over 80 women came forward about Harvey Weinstein alone, including Australian Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Ashley Judd, Gwyneth Paltrow, Uma Thurman, and Rose McGowan.
Actress Rose McGowan, one of the higher-profile accusers against the powerhouse producer, felt a relief when she heard of his guilty verdict.
“Everybody expected him to get off, including me. I felt like I had a 500,000lb lifted off my shoulders,” McGowan told The Guardian.
One of the actresses that testified at the trial, Dawn Dunning, celebrated the conviction as a major win for female empowerment.
“This verdict made it real for people watching from afar that you will be held accountable for your actions. You can’t take advantage of people just because you have power and money.”
What do you think of the Weinstein conviction? Let us know in the comments below.
Written by Olivia Silk
