Press

Reports: Harvey Weinstein close to $25M settlement with some accusers but won’t have to pay

“We support survivors, and that includes supporting survivors to make their own decisions to make deals with their abusers,” added Shaunna Thomas, co-founder of the anti-rape group UltraViolet, in a statement emailed to USA TODAY. “But it’s hardly lost on us that these brave women made the only choice that was available to them under our flawed and disempowering judicial system. Survivors of sexual abuse deserve better.”

This is not the potential end to all civil lawsuits against Weinstein: It doesn’t include one famous accuser of Weinstein, Ashley Judd, who’s filed a separate sexual harassment and retaliation suit against him in California. She has said she wants a trial in her case.

4 Democratic Candidates Press For Inquiry Into NBC’s ‘Toxic Culture’ Ahead Of Debate

In the letter, which was coordinated by the women’s advocacy group UltraViolet, the senators say they’re concerned about the message it sends to sexual assault survivors if the Democratic debate happens without the network’s parent at least agreeing to conduct an investigation into allegations of harassment, assault and a cover-up at NBC News.

NBC News Sexual Misconduct Controversy Draws Small Protest Outside 30 Rock

A handful of protestors gathered outside NBC Studios at 30 Rockefeller Center on Wednesday to demand the ouster of top NBC News executives for the network’s handling of internal sexual misconduct allegations, among other issues.

The feminist advocacy org UltraViolet organized a demonstration outside of NBC News headquarters to deliver a petition with nearly 20,000 signatures calling for the firing of NBC News president Noah Oppenheim and MSNBC president Phil Griffin. Oppenheim recently signed a new contract with NBC News and is expected to succeed Andy Lack as chairman of the division after the 2020 presidential election.

NBC News has been at the center of controversy for two weeks amid the publication of Ronan Farrow’s book “Catch and Kill,” which details what he describes as NBC’s effort to quash his reporting on sexual assault allegations against disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. Farrow criticizes NBC News for its handling of internal sexual misconduct and harassment claims, most notably those involving former “Today” anchor Matt Lauer, who was fired in November 2017.

What “She Said” To Me

With the release of the book She Said today by investigative journalists Jodi Kantor and Meghan Twohey we’re all getting a deeper look at what led to and what resulted from the story that rocked Hollywood, and then the country about Harvey Weinstein, his survivors and his enablers. The book is amazing and I hope everyone goes out and reads it.

As the person named in the book for first suggesting to the New York Times that they look at Harvey Weinstein’s history of abuse, it’s important to explain why I did it. I did not do so lightly and there was a history behind my actions and the implications it has had for our society. This is that story.

Soccer fans, activists rally at U.S. Soccer headquarters for equal pay

“It’s not complicated and it’s not right,” said Susan Hildebrand, national field director at Ultraviolet. “We’re here to support the team’s demand for equal pay. In addition to bringing home those four World Cup championships, the women’s team also brings in significant revenue.”

‘Acosta Enables Sex Trafficking’ projected onto the Labor Department building

Activists projected condemnations of Labor Secretary Alexander Acostaon the Department of Labor building Wednesday to protest his role in a controversial non-prosecution agreement with financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was arrested again over the weekend.

Progressive advocacy groups, including Credo Action, MoveOn, UltraViolet and the American Federation of Teachers, projected the words “Acosta Enabled Sex Trafficking” and “Acosta Must Go” on the building.

Women Owned The Democratic Debates

“By showing up as the leaders they are — powerful, smart and deeply connected to the issues impacting all Americans — [Warren and Harris] showed us what a president could be and it was thrilling,” said Shaunna Thomas, the co-founder of the women’s advocacy group Ultraviolet, calling Harris and Warren the winners of the debates.

Activists see NBC’s Democratic debate moderators as a win for representation

In an open letter this spring, the groups urged media outlets and other organizations to ensure that at least 50 percent of the moderators running the debates would be women and at least 50 percent would be people of color. UltraViolet Action, an organization dedicated to gender equity, spearheaded the letter, which also called out sexism in political media coverage writ large.

The group applauded the NBC lineup and urged other media outlets to follow suit.

“NBC’s decision to ensure that four out of the five moderators for the first Democratic presidential primary debate are women or people of color is a huge win for representation at the debates and a welcome change from the status quo,” said UltraViolet’s executive director Shaunna Thomas. “Our country has seen what happens as a result of unfair media coverage of presidential candidates — and this cannot be the reality in 2020.”

Democrats Will Have Female And Nonwhite Moderator At Each 2020 Debate

Feminist group UltraViolet had been campaigning for weeks for major networks to include women and people of color as moderators in the upcoming primary and general election debates.

Netflix threatens to boycott Georgia over heartbeat law

National women’s group UltraViolet, which had urged Netflix to pull out of the state, commended the streamer for saying it would consider a boycott. Still the group is pressing Netflix to take an even more aggressive stand against the abortion ban.

“Netflix’s statement is appreciated, however waiting on the courts to act focuses on a distinction without a difference. The crisis moment is now,” said executive director and co-founder Shaunna Thomas. “We need Netflix to engage in this fight and use its economic power to speak out for Georgia women, and the hundreds of women who work on Netflix productions, to set an example for the whole country that putting women in danger has consequences – and refuse to do business in the State until the law is repealed.”

UltraViolet: Senate Stimulus Package is Insufficient for Women Who Are Bearing the Brunt of the Coronavirus Pandemic

BREAKING: Harvey Weinstein is Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for Criminal Sexual Assault, Rape; Women’s Group Reacts

UltraViolet on Reports that Sen. Elizabeth Warren is Dropping Out of the Race for the 2020 Democratic Presidential Nomination 

BREAKING: Harvey Weinstein is Found Guilty of Criminal Sexual Act, Rape; Women’s Group Reacts

Women’s Group: Washington Post Wrong to Suspend Reporter For Reporting Facts; Post Should Immediately Reinstate Felicia Sonmez and Apologize to Readers

UltraViolet Unequivocally Supports Sil Lai Abrams, Drew Dixon, and Alexia Norton Jones

BREAKING: UltraViolet Reacts to Reports that Weinstein and His Accusers Have Reached a Tentative $25m Deal

UltraViolet Says CBS Failed to Protect Employees From Abuse and Retaliation After Reporting Sexual Harassment to HR on Set of New Show “Carol’s Second Act” 

NOV 3RD @ 1PM: Activists, Politicians, and Celebrities Share Stories of Sexual Harassment to Elevate Legislation Designed to Prevent Workplace Sexual Abuse

UltraViolet on NBC’s Announcement on Non-Disclosure Agreements for Sexual Abuse Survivors