Weinstein verdict: "A huge step towards our collective healing", for the #MeToo movement

Actress Mira Sorvino burst into tears after the verdict was announced. "The beginning of justice. Waiting for more, my sisters," reacted on Monday February 24 on Twitter the Oscar-winning actress, who claims to have been harassed by Harvey Weinstein. "He has haunted many of our lives, and even our nightmares, long after what he has put us all through," one of the 80 women who told the AP agency said. accused the Hollywodian tycoon of sexual abuse.

The 67-year-old former film producer convicted of sexual assault and rape faces a 29-year prison sentence. The sentence will be pronounced on March 11.

The beginning of #justice. More to come, my sisters. #weinsteinguilty

"The era of impunity for powerful men who rape is over," added Mira Sorvino. She also praised the six accusers who had the courage to testify and the jurors who believed their version. "We have finally regained this power, we have exposed its evil," she said, her voice broken. "He will rot in prison as he deserves, and we will be able to close this chapter," she added. Only downside, for her: Harvey Weinstein does not risk life, because the jury exonerated him from the aggravating circumstance of "predatory" behavior.

"Today is a big, powerful day and a huge step for our collective healing," said Rose McGowan on Twitter, who said she was raped by Harvey Weinstein in 1997. The one on the front line of the #MeToo movement said he was "proud of the courageous women who testified. They put a monster out of harm's way. Thank you to the prosecutors and the jury who said: not one more."

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

Actress Ashley Judd, who claims that Harvey Weinstein sexually harassed her in 1997, also paid tribute to those who testified. "For women who have gone through traumatic hell, you have rendered a public service to girls and women around the world," she tweeted.

Your bravery and resolve is an inspiration for all of us. Thank you, Ashley — and thank you to all of the women who stepped forward to speak truth to power. My heart goes out to you all today.

The most striking image of this trial, captured in the sketches of the courtroom, remains that of the all-powerful producer led to handcuffs in prison. "For once, he will not be sitting comfortably," added Rose McGowan. "For once, he'll know what it's like to have the power that wraps around his neck."

Following the verdict, Harvey Weinstein was to go to Rikers Island prison, but was hospitalized that evening in a locked unit at Bellevue Hospital. He recently had back surgery and his lawyers said he needed medical attention.

The beginning of a "new era of justice"

Still, this verdict of partial guilt materializes the fall of the one who made the rain and the good weather in the world of independent cinema for a quarter of a century. It's the start of "a new era of justice," said Time's Up president Tina Tchen in a statement.

This is the first conviction in a post- # MeToo case. The conviction, in April 2018, of the actor Bill Cosby resulted from prosecutions started in 2015, before the anti-sexual assault movement started in October 2017.

The verdict "changes the course of history" in the fight against sexual violence, said Manhattan prosecutor Cyrus Vance. "Rape is rape, whether it is committed by a stranger in a dark alley, or by a partner in an intimate relationship," he told reporters. "It is a rape even if there is no physical evidence and it happened a very long time ago," he added.

With AP

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