Meryl Streep Condemns Actions Of Harvey Weinstein In Statement To Yashar Ali

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Hollywood heavyweight Meryl Streep has issued a statement condemning the conduct of producer Harvey Weinstein. Streep, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of of Margaret Thatcher in the Weinstein-produced 'Iron Lady', praised the women who spoke out against Weinstein as "heroes". 

Streep's statement was issued by her longtime publicist Leslee Dart to Huff Po's Yashar Ali, who has emerged as a major figure in revealing and amplifying stories around sexual harassment of women in media and Hollywood.

The feminist icon, who once jokingly called Harvey Weinstein 'God' in her acceptance speech, issued this statement, published in full by Yashar Ali:

“The disgraceful news about Harvey Weinstein has appalled those of us whose work he championed, and those whose good and worthy causes he supported. The intrepid women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes.

One thing can be clarified. Not everybody knew. Harvey supported the work fiercely, was exasperating but respectful with me in our working relationship, and with many others with whom he worked professionally. I didn’t know about these other offenses: I did not know about his financial settlements with actresses and colleagues; I did not know about his having meetings in his hotel room, his bathroom, or other inappropriate, coercive acts. And If everybody knew, I don’t believe that all the investigative reporters in the entertainment and the hard news media would have neglected for decades to write about it.

The behavior is inexcusable, but the abuse of power familiar. Each brave voice that is raised, heard and credited by our watchdog media will ultimately change the game.”