Actress Rose McGowan delivered an impassioned speech outside the New York City courthouse where Harvey Weinstein arrived for the start of his criminal trial on Monday.
The 46-year-old actress is one of several women who alleged sexual misconduct by Weinstein.
The former film producer, who has denied all accusations of nonconsensual sexual activity, is being tried in New York for allegedly raping a woman in 2013 and forcibly performing a sex act on another woman in 2006.
“Dear Harvey, no matter what lies you tell yourself, you did this,” began McGowan, who stood alongside several other accusers. “Today, Lady Justice is staring down a super predator - you,” she continued.
“You thought you could terrorize me and others into silence. You were wrong,” McGowan later said, adding, “We rose from your ashes; we rise together.”
After thanking the women testifying in Weinstein’s case, McGowan concluded, “Today is a day for us to honor how far we’ve come and how much we’ve endured to get here. But it is not the end. Know this; we are free, we are beautiful, we are strong and you will never take that from us. Most importantly, know that the silence-breakers will never give up. Survivors will never give up."
On Monday, prosecutors in Los Angeles also charged Weinstein with raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in separate incidents that allegedly occurred in 2013.
If convicted as charged in Los Angeles, Weinstein faces up to 28 years in state prison.
"We believe the evidence will show that the defendant used his power and influence to gain access to his victims and then commit violent crimes against them," said Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey.
"I want to commend the victims who have come forward and bravely recounted what happened to them.”
