Earlier today, 54 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, reportedly including Tom Hanks, Laura Dean, Whoopi Goldberg, and Steven Spielberg, allegedly met to discuss producer Harvey Weinstein’s membership status in the wake of his ongoing sexual-abuse scandal. In a little over a week since the New York Times published a report describing his history of sexual abuse, dozens of actresses have come forward to accuse the studio head of sexual assault, coercion, and rape. According to Variety, on Saturday afternoon, the Academy’s Board of Governors decided to officially revoke Weinstein’s membership in the organization. “We do so not simply to separate ourselves from someone who does not merit the respect of his colleagues but also to send a message that the era of willful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behavior and workplace harassment in our industry is over,” the board said in a statement, which you can read in full below.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors met today to discuss the allegations against Harvey Weinstein, and has voted well in excess of the required two-thirds majority to immediately expel him from the Academy. We do so not simply to separate ourselves from someone who does not merit the respect of his colleagues but also to send a message that the era of willful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behavior and workplace harassment in our industry is over. What’s at issue here is a deeply troubling problem that has no place in our society. The Board continues to work to establish ethical standards of conduct that all Academy members will be expected to exemplify.
