Witherspoon, Other Stars Launch 'Time's Up' Movement

To target sexual misconduct, gender inequality in Hollywood
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 1, 2018 2:39 PM CST
First There Was 'Me Too.' Now, It's 'Time's Up' in Hollywood
Reese Witherspoon arrives at Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills on Oct. 16, 2017.   (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

A new group is spearheading the fight against harassment in Hollywood, and it's got a few names you'll recognize behind it. The AP reports on the Time's Up initiative, launched Monday on behalf of more than 300 film, TV, and theater celebrities in the wake of the MeToo movement that kicked off after the allegations of sexual misconduct and assault against Harvey Weinstein. "The clock has run out on sexual assault, harassment, and inequality in the workplace," the website notes. "It's time to do something about it." Luminaries such as Reese Witherspoon, Shonda Rhimes, Meryl Streep, and Jennifer Aniston are among those taking part in the coalition, which includes a legal defense fund, news and stats on women in entertainment, and resources for everyone from workers on movie sets to A-list stars.

"Earning a living should not come at the cost of anyone's safety, dignity, or morale," Rhimes says in a statement, per E! Online. "Every person should get to work in an environment free from abuse, assault, and discrimination." The defense fund, a tax-exempt charity that will offer legal help to those who've been subjected to sexual misconduct, has already pulled in more than $13 million from upward of 200 donors. The initiative was announced Monday in the New York Times, which printed an open letter that noted the group's commitment to exposing "the dark truth" of such misconduct by "powerful people in the entertainment industry." The Times also notes the movement is asking women to wear black to the Golden Globes on Sunday in solidarity with victims. "This is a moment of solidarity, not a fashion moment," says Time's Up member Eva Longoria.

(More sexual misconduct stories.)

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