Motion picture Academy kicks out disgraced Harvey Weinstein

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expelled Harvey Weinstein on Saturday, vowing that the era of “shameful complicity in sexually predatory behavior” in the movie industry was over.

An emergency meeting of its 54-member board of governors, which includes stars such as Tom Hanks, Whoopi Goldberg and Laura Dern, voted “well in excess of the required two-thirds majority,” it said in a statement.

“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 statement read.

An avalanche of sexual harassment, assault and rape accusations against Weinstein have surfaced since the publication last week of an explosive New York Times report alleging a history of abusive behavior by the Hollywood mogul dating back decades.

On Thursday, American actress Rose McGowan became the fourth woman to accuse the 65-year-old of raping her.

“What’s at issue here is a deeply troubling problem that has no place in our society,” said the Academy, which organizes the Oscars.

“The board continues to work to establish ethical standards of conduct that all Academy members will be expected to exemplify.”

Since the outbreak of the scandal, more than two dozen actresses including Mira Sorvino, Rosanna Arquette, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Lea Seydoux have come forward saying they were sexually harassed by the producer. l

Motion picture Academy kicks out disgraced Harvey Weinstein

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expelled Harvey Weinstein on Saturday, vowing that the era of shameful complicity in sexually predatory behavior in the movie industry was over. An emergency meeting of its 54-member board of governors, which includes stars such as Tom Hanks, Whoopi Goldberg and Laura Dern, voted well in excess of the required two-thirds majority, it said in a statement. 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 statement read. An avalanche of sexual harassment, assault and rape accusations against Weinstein have surfaced since the publication last week of an explosive New York Times report alleging a history of abusive behavior by the Hollywood mogul dating back decades. On Thursday, American actress Rose McGowan became the fourth woman to accuse the 65-year-old of raping her. Whats at issue here is a deeply troubling problem that has no place in our society, said the Academy, which organizes the Oscars. The board continues to work to establish ethical standards of conduct that all Academy members will be expected to exemplify. Since the outbreak of the scandal, more than two dozen actresses including Mira Sorvino, Rosanna Arquette, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Lea Seydoux have come forward saying they were sexually harassed by the producer. l