UltraViolet Reacts to the Overturning of Harvey Weinstein’s New York Rape Conviction
()FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 25, 2024
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
UltraViolet Reacts to the Overturning of Harvey Weinstein’s New York Rape Conviction
Calls for New York Prosecutors to Move Swiftly to Retry Weinstein
Statement from Shaunna Thomas, co-founder and executive director of UltraViolet, a leading national gender justice organization and whistleblower on Harvey Weinstein:
“The overturning of Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction is absurd, shameful and dangerous. It is also just the latest reminder that our criminal justice system does not take sexual violence cases seriously and that the majority of survivors of sexual abuse are often not served by our courts.
“Let’s be clear – Harvey Weinstein is a serial sexual predator who was fairly convicted. There is no doubt that he committed the crimes that he was accused of.
“We urge New York prosecutors to remedy this injustice and move swiftly to retry Weinstein in the event that the survivors involved wish to proceed.
“We stand with the survivors in disbelief, grief, and outrage. We are with you.”
Shaunna was the first to suggest to The New York Times’ Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey that Harvey Weinstein be investigated for sexual abuse and UltraViolet has been a leading voice in the accountability movement for powerful abusers, including Weinstein.
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UltraViolet Receives Multi-Million, Multi-Year Investment from the Ford Foundation in BUILD Grant
()FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
UltraViolet Receives Multi-Million, Multi-Year Investment from the Ford Foundation in BUILD Grant
WASHINGTON, DC — UltraViolet is proud to announce a new commitment from the Ford Foundation to invest $4M over five years through the Ford Foundation’s Building Institutions and Networks (BUILD) program. The Ford Foundation’s BUILD program seeks to empower organizations addressing systemic inequality by providing substantial financial support and capacity-building resources.
The Ford Foundation’s generous investment in UltraViolet, the nation’s leading gender justice campaigning organization, is an investment in preserving our democracy.
The backlash to feminism has been extreme, hostile and well-funded, and the gender justice movement must be ready to ensure the significant strides that BIPOC women, LGBTQ+ people and feminists have made are protected and expanding. There is renewed momentum for gender justice–spanning generations of feminists–to protect access to reproductive health care and fight abortion disinformation, dismantle sexism and racism in the media and online, and hold powerful corporations and people accountable to feminist values. UltraViolet’s selection for the BUILD grant underscores UltraViolet’s impactful work, capacity for growth and acceleration, and UltraViolet’s role as a leader in the gender justice movement.
Through the BUILD Program, the Ford Foundation will provide steady support to UltraViolet over the next five years, ensuring we have the institutional strength and resilience to advance feminist cultural and systemic change, and to create the conditions for a more gender-just future for all.
“We are excited to provide long-term support to UltraViolet as part of our commitment to investing in the sustainability of institutions that are leading the way for reproductive justice at this crucial moment,” said Silvia Henriquez, program officer for Reproductive Justice at the Ford Foundation. “Investing in the resilience of social movements is core to our work at the Ford Foundation and we look forward to seeing what UltraViolet accomplishes in the years to come.”
VIEW MORE ABOUT THE FORD FOUNDATION’S BUILD GRANTS HERE: https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/building-institutions-and-networks/how-it-works/
“UltraViolet and the Ford Foundation have been partners in social justice for over a decade and we are thrilled and honored to be entrusted with a BUILD grant,” explained Shaunna Thomas, co-founder and executive director of UltraViolet. “This BUILD program will allow UltraViolet to focus on strengthening the foundation of our organization, from which we will be better able to create the transformative feminist future we believe in.”
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UltraViolet is a leading national gender justice organization in the US with a multiracial, multi-generational, gender-diverse community of more than 1 million members, spanning all 50 states. As the largest feminist campaigning organization in the United States, UltraViolet combines organizing, technology, creative campaigning, and people power to make the dream of gender justice a reality.
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UltraViolet Says Increasing Broadcast Rates For WNBA is Smart Business; Help Close the Pay Gap for Women’s Athlete
()FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, April 15, 2024
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
Thousands Join Campaign Calling on ESPN, Warner, and Ion to Stop Underpaying Women’s Athletic Leagues, Pay WNBA More For Broadcast Rights
WNBA Currently Negotiating with Networks Ahead of 2025 Renewal; Advertisers Plan to Double Investment in Women’s Basketball After the Record-Breaking Ratings & Attendance for NCAA March Madness Season
UltraViolet Says Increasing Broadcast Rates For WNBA is Smart Business; Help Close the Pay Gap for Women’s Athlete
Thousands of people nationwide have joined a new petition and campaign from UltraViolet, a national gender justice organization, calling on ESPN, Warner, Ion, and other sports providers to stop underpaying women’s sports leagues, and specifically to pay more for broadcast rights to the WNBA.
UltraViolet argues that increasing broadcast rates for the WNBA is not just smart business sense, but is also key in helping close the pay gap experienced by women athletes.
The call to the networks comes as national attention has been focused on the record-breaking NCAA women’s basketball tournament – which broke both the most-watched and best-attended season ever. The WNBA, currently in negotiations with major providers, is hoping to double its broadcasting revenue in their new deal.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ULTRAVIOLET’S CAMPAIGN HERE:
Star athletes from the season like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Cameron Brink, Aaliyah Edwards, and Jacey Sheldon moving onto the WNBA this year – which has also seen record growth over the years. According to Sportico, the “… the 2023 campaign was the WNBA’s most-watched regular season in over 20 years, and its highest attendance in 13 years.” Tickets to attend tonight’s WNBA draft sold out in 15 minutes and TV viewership is likely to break records.
The increased attention has drawn focus from major advertisers as well with reports that Disney’s ad revenue for the NCAA tournament doubled from last year, ad space for the Final Four tournament was sold out, and women’s elite sports were expected to generate 300% more revenue than just three years ago. GroupM, the world’s largest media buying agency, also announced a commitment to double media investment in women’s sports.
“Women’s basketball, like all elite women’s sports, are finally getting the attention that they have always deserved,” explained Nicole Relegado, Vice President of Campaigns at UltraViolet. “Now it’s time to make sure that the women’s sports leagues and thus their players get paid fairly too. Paying the WNBA more for its broadcasting rights makes good business sense. ESPN, Warner, and Ion are seeing record profits from ad sales as major advertisers only plan to increase their buys. But it also is the right thing to do. Higher broadcast rights would mean that the WNBA teams have more money to invest in their athletes, increasing salaries and setting up women’s sports for a generation to come.”
UltraViolet has a long record of campaigning for fairer pay in elite women’s sports.
- In 2015, Ultraviolet pressured FIFA to close the pay gap after the 2015 Women’s World Cup champions netted only $2 million for their win, while the winners of the 2014 men’s World Cup netted $35 million.
- In 2016, during the women’s soccer finals at the Rio Olympics, UltraViolet ran a TV ad calling for the U.S. Women’s National soccer team players receive equal pay for equal play.
- In 2019, UltraViolet launched a campaign targeting US Soccer to demand an equal pay policy for men and women players, bolstering efforts toward a successful agreement signed by US men’s and women’s soccer teams last year.
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Advocates Urge Top Brands to End Funding for Extremist GOP Attorney General Group
()FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 10, 2024
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
Advocates Urge Top Brands to End Funding for Extremist GOP Attorney General Group
Donations to the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) from T-Mobile, CVS and its subsidiaries, General Motors, Elevance Health Contradict Companies’ Commitments to Equality and Social Responsibility
Campaign Highlights How Far-Right GOP Attorneys General Are Using State’s Legal Power to End Abortion, Attack LGBTQ+ Rights, Undermine Social Justice, and Assail Democracy
WASHINGTON, DC — Ahead of the 2024 general election, UltraViolet Action, a leading national gender justice organization, has launched a new campaign urging some of the nation’s leading consumer brands with a proclaimed commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion- to stop providing financial support to the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA), a far-right political organization actively working to advance policies that harm underrepresented minorities and other groups.
The campaign will focus on specific companies that are major funders of RAGA. This includes T-Mobile, CVS, General Motors, and Elevance Health (Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield), which have collectively contributed at least $1.3 million to RAGA since 2020. By seeking to mobilize employee resource groups with a vested interest in their employer’s commitment to social justice, UltraViolet Action and its partner, True North, hope to spark change from within and ensure these companies live up to their stated values.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN HERE: magaraga.com
Through coordinated legal action and advocacy, RAGA and the state attorneys general it supports have sought to eliminate abortion access, assail LGBTQ+ rights, undermine social and racial justice, deny the outcome of the 2020 election, and encourage supporters to join the Stop the Steal rally on January 6th, 2021, that led to mass violence at the United States Capitol. Companies that claim to support equal rights and democratic values are undermining those very priorities through their support of RAGA.
RAGA-funded AGs have used their office to endorse President Trump’s anti-rule of law claim that he should be immune from all criminal prosecution and to strip away rights and freedoms. As examples:
- Lynn Fitch, Mississippi’s Attorney General, helped overturn Roe v. Wade, which she called “egregiously wrong.” AG Fitch argued that eliminating abortion rights will “empower” women “to pursue both career and success and a rich family life.”
- Ken Paxton, Texas’ Attorney General, stated he would be “willing and able” to defend laws criminalizing same-sex intimacy.
- Kris Kobach, Kansas’s Attorney General, alongside 15 other RAGA AGs have attacked a proposal by the EPA to remove 9 million lead water lines across the country. In a comment letter to the EPA, Kobach and his colleagues call the proposed rule “unworkable, underfunded, and unnecessary.” They also say the benefits of removing lead pipes is “entirely speculative.”
- Todd Rokita, who is running for re-election as Indiana’s Attorney General, was reprimanded by the Indiana Supreme Court over defamatory statements about a doctor who provided an abortion for a ten-year-old rape victim. He had previously launched an anti-LGBTQ+ snitch line allowing extremists to anonymously report public school officials for supporting LGBTQ+ students.
- Andrew Bailey, who is running for re-election as Missouri’s Attorney General, has used his power as AG to join in federal lawsuits to stop abortions in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and an FDA rule allowing abortion-inducing medications to be mailed to patients.
- Austin Knudsen, who is running for re-election as Montana’s Attorney General, is currently lobbying the courts to strike down a 1999 ruling shielding abortion under the state’s privacy protections. He also tried to block a ballot proposal that would further solidify abortion access in Montana if passed.
- Rokita, Bailey, and Knudsen are also three of over a dozen AGs opposing a proposed federal rule that would expand HIPAA to protect health information from officials attempting to prosecute legal, out-of-state abortions.
In addition, RAGA has said it will spend “whatever it takes” to get Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., elected as North Carolina’s Attorney General. As a state senator, Bishop sponsored the transphobic “bathroom bill,” and as a Congressman he supported Texas AG Ken Paxton’s MAGA lawsuit filed with the Supreme Court to overturn the 2020 Election, and objected to the certification of electoral college votes on January 6, 2021.
“Right now, there is an active effort by MAGA fanatics and right-wing extremists to use our courts to undermine our rights, and our democracy – and Republican Attorneys General in the States are driving that assault forward. Using public tax dollars, the MAGA RAGA caucus is escalating attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, abortion access, racial and social justice, and our democracy – and using judge-shopping to advance their undemocratic and extremist agenda in courts,” explained Nicole Regalado, Vice President of Campaigns, at UltraViolet Action. “If major consumer brands like CVS, T-Mobile, and General Motors are serious about their commitments to democracy, equality, and social justice, they should immediately end their funding of the Republican Attorneys General Association.”
- T-Mobile has donated $180,000 to RAGA since 2020. To learn more how those contributions directly violate the company’s professed values, click here: https://magaraga.com/t-mobile
- General Motors has donated $330,000 to RAGA since 2020. To learn more how those contributions directly violate the company’s professed values, click here: https://magaraga.com/general-motors
- CVS has donated over $375,000 to RAGA since 2020. To learn more how those contributions directly violate the company’s professed values, click here: https://magaraga.com/cvs
- Elevance Health has donated $405,000 to RAGA since 2020. To learn more how those contributions directly violate the company’s professed values, click here: https://magaraga.com/elevance-health
True North, a watchdog group devoted to protecting freedom by exposing groups advancing a regressive agenda, will support UltraViolet Action in its efforts to educate the public on the special interests that have captured key levers of power and threaten our democracy.
“Consumer brands like T-Mobile, GM, and CVS market that they value equity and inclusion but by funding RAGA they are aiding anti-abortion and anti-gay operative Leonard Leo’s fueling of top state law enforcement officials as weapons to attack abortion access, assail LGBTQ+ rights, wreak havoc on our environment, dishonor our votes, and defend reckless assertions of presidential immunity,” said Lisa Graves, executive director of True North, a fiscally sponsored 501(c)(4) project. “Workers who care about the reputation of their companies and consumers who want to support brands that reflect their values should demand an end to the flow of corporate money that fuels RAGA’s regressive agenda.”
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UltraViolet on Reports Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Homes Being Raided by Federal Agents, Likely In Connection to Sexual Abuse and Sex Trafficking Allegations Against Him
()FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 26, 2024
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
UltraViolet on Reports Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Homes Being Raided by Federal Agents, Likely In Connection to Sexual Abuse and Sex Trafficking Allegations Against Him
Says Music Industry Must Do More to Dismantle Rape Culture
This morning, it was reported that federal agents raided the homes of Sean “Diddy” Combs Los Angeles and the Miami area, likely as part of an investigation into sexual assault and sex trafficking claims made public in multiple civil lawsuits over the last several months.
In reaction to the announcement, Shaunna Thomas, co-founder and executive director at UltraViolet, a leading national gender justice organization, which had urged the Grammys and the Recording Academy to sever ties with Combs following the multiple accusations against him, issued the following statement:
“It took the courage of a survivor, Cassie, and the legal pathway for survivors to seek justice created by New York State to remind us all that rape culture is alive and well within the entertainment industry — and that for far too long powerful people like Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs have been able to escape accountability.
“Because of Cassie and the three other women who came forward to tell their stories, we all now know the real Sean Combs. His brand deals have collapsed, fellow artists have distanced themselves from him and called for accountability, and even though he was nominated for a Grammy Award this year, he didn’t show up because he knew he would not be welcome there.
“Making sure abusers aren’t able to continue with business as usual, let alone be celebrated on a national platform like the Grammy Awards is an important first step towards accountability. And while justice for the women that Combs abused will be defined by them and them alone — the music industry has a real opportunity to make clear that abusers will not be tolerated, and that the industry will take the necessary steps to ensure a safe and equitable workplace for all its workers and artists.
“By holding abusers within the industry accountable and taking the important steps to protect workers and artists — the industry can help model the structural changes that we all need to dismantle rape culture in our larger society.”
More than 15,000 people signed a petition organized by UltraViolet calling on the Recording Academy to rescind Sean ‘Diddy; Combs’ invitation to the 66th annual Grammy Awards, ban him from future Grammy Award shows, and revoke his membership in the Recording Academy.
You can view the petition here: https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/NoDiddyAtGrammys/
UltraViolet has a long-running connection addressing sexual violence in the music industry.
- In 2014, pop singer Kesha came forward to accuse music producer Dr. Luke of sexual assault. After the allegations were made public, UltraViolet hosted petitions, organized protests, and publicly advocated for Sony Music to “Free Kesha” from her relationship with her alleged abuser.
- In 2018, following Spotify’s decision to remove R. Kelly and other infamous abusers from its official playlists, UltraViolet penned an open letter to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek applauding the company’s decision, but urging Ek to look deeper at other artists with a history of sexual and physical abuse that continued to profit from Spotify’s promotion.
- One year later, tens of thousands of people signed UltraViolet’s petition, echoing calls of the #MuteRKelly campaign, urging RCA Records to drop Kelly. UltraViolet also commissioned a plane banner to fly over Sony Music’s HQs in Los Angeles, demanding RCA Records to sever ties with R Kelly and took part in the “#MuteRKelly Rally to Protect Black Girls” at Sony Music HQ’s in New York City.
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UltraViolet Praises Announcement by CVS and Walgreens That They Will Begin Selling Abortion Pills This Month, Urges Other Pharmaceutical Providers to Follow Their Lead
()FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, March 1, 2024
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
UltraViolet Praises Announcement by CVS and Walgreens That They Will Begin Selling Abortion Pills This Month, Urges Other Pharmaceutical Providers to Follow Their Lead
Moments ago, The New York Times reported that two of the largest pharmaceutical providers – CVS and Walgreens – will start dispensing the abortion pill, mifepristone, this month.
The chains plan to make the medication available in stores in a handful of states this week, gradually expanding to all other states where abortion is legal and where pharmacies are legally able to dispense abortion pills.
In reaction to the announcement, Shaunna Thomas, co-founder and executive director of UltraViolet, a national gender justice advocacy group, issued the following statement:
“We are deeply encouraged by reports that Walgreens and CVS will begin dispensing mifepristone to patients around the country this week – and expanding that program to as many places as possible, including states like Kansas, Montana, and Wyoming, where laws restricting access are currently blocked.
“We urge CVS and Walgreens to continue to make public updates as to their efforts to expand availability nationwide.
“Simply put, pharmacists and pharmaceutical providers haven a moral and ethical obligation to provide appropriate medications to their patients. This decision will make the lives of women and pregnant people who are seeking a safe and effective way to terminate their pregnancy better, ensuring that they have the ability to do so.”
“Other major national chains – like Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, and RiteAid – should follow this leadership and announce their plans to roll out access to the abortion pill to their customers as soon as possible.”
Over 125,000 people have signed petitions from UltraViolet calling on US pharmacies to provide medication abortion to all customers.
VIEW THE PETITION HERE:
https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/pharmacies_abortion/
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UltraViolet on Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Not Attending 2024 Grammy Awards
()FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, February 6, 2024
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
UltraViolet on Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Not Attending 2024 Grammy Awards
Group Says Recording Academy Must Do More to Address Sexual Abuse Within the Organization & Music Industry
LOS ANGELES, CA — On Sunday, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, despite being nominated for Best Progressive R.B. Album, did not attend the 2024 Grammy Awards. Combs’ decision not to attend the awards was first reported by the Hollywood Reporter three weeks ago, and followed after four different women, including a woman who was 17 years old at the time, accused Diddy of sexual abuse. In addition, The Recording Academy refrained from airing images of Diddy during the show.
Celebrating Combs’ decision not to attend the Grammy Awards, and members of the Recording Academy not voting to give him an award, Elisa Batista, Campaign Director at UltraViolet, a leading national gender justice organization, issued the following statement:
“Thanks to musical artist Cassie, Diddy was exposed as a sexual predator; her courage inspired three more survivors to come forward and publicly confront his abuse. We applaud each of these four women for their bravery in coming forward about their experiences.
“Making sure known abusers aren’t celebrated on a national platform like the Grammys is important to survivor justice. That’s why more than 15,000 UltraViolet members took action to make sure Diddy did not attend the Grammys. But there is still more work to be done.
“For too long, the entertainment and music industry, and the Recording Academy in particular, have struggled to grapple with issues of sexual harassment and abuse. The Grammys woman-centered show highlighted the leadership of women in the music industry but, The Recording Academy must do more to ensure the safety of musical artists and professionals, especially women, in the workplace.
“UltraViolet will continue to work with industry leaders to strengthen sexual harassment and misconduct protections for musical artists and professionals.”
More than 15,000 people signed a petition organized by UltraViolet calling on the Recording Academy to rescind Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs invitation to the 66th annual Grammy Awards, ban him from future Grammy Award shows, and revoke his membership in the Recording Academy.
You can view the petition here: https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/NoDiddyAtGrammys/
UltraViolet has a long-running connection addressing sexual violence in the music industry.
- In 2014, pop singer Kesha came forward to accuse music producer Dr. Luke of sexual assault. After the allegations were made public, UltraViolet hosted petitions, organized protests, and publicly advocated for Sony Music to “Free Kesha” from her relationship with her alleged abuser.
- In 2018, following Spotify’s decision to remove R. Kelly and other infamous abusers from its official playlists, UltraViolet penned an open letter to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek applauding the company’s decision, but urging Ek to look deeper at other artists with a history of sexual and physical abuse that continued to profit from Spotify’s promotion.
- One year later, tens of thousands of people signed UltraViolet’s petition, echoing calls of the #MuteRKelly campaign, urging RCA Records to drop Kelly. UltraViolet also commissioned a plane banner to fly over Sony Music’s HQs in Los Angeles, demanding RCA Records to sever ties with R Kelly and took part in the “#MuteRKelly Rally to Protect Black Girls” at Sony Music HQ’s in New York City.
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UltraViolet Responds to Sexual Abuser Nigel Lythgoe Leaving “So You Think You Can Dance,” Renews Calls for Grammys to Rescind Diddy’s Nomination
()FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Saturday, January 6, 2024
CONTACT: Anna Zuccaro | anna@unbendablemedia.com
UltraViolet Responds to Sexual Abuser Nigel Lythgoe Leaving “So You Think You Can Dance,” Renews Calls for Grammys to Rescind Diddy’s Nomination
LOS ANGELES, CA — Yesterday, Fox announced Nigel Lythgoe will step down as a judge on “So You Think You Can Dance.” In a joint statement from the show’s producers, it was clarified that the program will continue without Lythgoe’s involvement.
The news comes as sexual abuse allegations against Lythgoe were made by two different women , just after Paula Abdul sued him, citing “multiple” instances of sexual assault and battery.
In response to this news, Shaunna Thomas, Founder and Executive Director at UltraViolet, a national gender justice advocacy organization that urged Fox to fire Lythgoe, issued the following remarks:
“The allegations of sexual abuse by three women, including Paula Abdul, against Nigel Lythgoe exemplify the entertainment industry’s tacit compliance and enabling of sexual misconduct and sexual abuse.
“Given Fox’s timely announcement to continue the show without Lythgoe as a judge on ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’ we are renewing calls for the Recording Academy to rescind Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ nomination and invitation to the Grammy Awards next month.
“As the Recording Academy ‘evaluates’ whether to take disciplinary measures against Diddy, we strongly urge them to act sooner than later. Anything less shows disregard and disrespect to survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of wealthy, powerful men like Nigel Lythgoe and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.”
Earlier this week, Ultraviolet launched a campaign demanding that Fox Entertainment and Allison Wallach, president of unscripted programming, fire Nigel Lythgoe from “So You Think You Can Dance.”
UltraViolet has long urged Fox Corporation to take sexual abuse seriously.
Eight years ago, UltraViolet was one of the first groups to urge that Fox News fire Bill O’Reilly and Roger Ailes for sexual misconduct and abuse. In 2019, UltraViolet demanded that Fox News fire former host Tucker Carlson for his lewd and perverted comments about children. The following year, the group called on Fox News to investigate Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson regarding allegations of their sexual misconduct.
Last month, UltraViolet launched a petition amid reports that the Grammy’s are “evaluating” Sean Diddy Combs’ invitation to the event after four different women accused Diddy of sexual abuse.
READ THE FULL PETITION HERE: https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/Diddy_Grammys
UltraViolet has a long-running connection to the #MeToo movement and the music industry.
In 2014, pop singer Kesha came forward to accuse music producer Dr. Luke sexual assault. After the allegations were made public, UltraViolet hosted petitions, organized protests, and publicly advocated for Sony Music to “Free Kesha” from her relationship with her alleged abuser.
In 2018, following Spotify’s decision to remove R. Kelly and other infamous abusers from its official playlists, UltraViolet penned an open letter to Spotify CEO applauding the company’s decision, but urging Elk to look deeper at other artists with a history of sexual and physical abuse that continued to profit from Spotify’s promotion. Ultimately, Spotify reversed its decision to hold abusers accountable and added R. Kelly back to official Spotify-promoted playlists.
One year later, tens of thousands of people signed UltraViolet’s petition, echoing calls of the #MuteRKelly campaign, urging RCA Records to drop Kelly. UltraViolet also commissioned a plane banner to fly over Sony Music’s HQs in Los Angeles, demanding RCA Records to sever ties with R Kelly and took part in the “#MuteRKelly Rally to Protect Black Girls” at Sony Music HQ’s in New York City.
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UltraViolet on the Supreme Court’s Announcement Today That It Would Take Up a Case Determining Whether the Mifepristone Abortion Pill Could Remain on the Market
()FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, December 13, 2023
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
UltraViolet on the Supreme Court’s Announcement Today That It Would Take Up a Case Determining Whether the Mifepristone Abortion Pill Could Remain on the Market
Statement from Shaunna Thomas, co-founder and executive director of UltraViolet:
“Today’s announcement that the Supreme Court will take up a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision undermining access to mifepristone, a widely used medication abortion pill that has been on the market for more than two decades is proof positive that abortion rights remain under threat – and the Republican extremists who hijacked our Courts will stop at nothing to advance their sexist agenda.
“Let’s be clear: we should have never gotten to this point. We are here because the Republican Party has hijacked our Courts, and created a pipeline of extremist judges to fast-track a radical agenda to a Supreme Court stolen by Donald Trump, Sen. Mitch McConnell and his Republican cronies.
“This is a crisis. Mifepristone is a safe, legal FDA-approved medication. The 5th Circuit’s politically motivated decision to curtail access to this life-saving drug, despite its availability for the past twenty-three years, is detrimental to us all. In times like these, every single one of us must make a choice: Will we stand by and let extremist judges impose their sexist agendas on millions of people, or step up to protect the rights of women and pregnant people to make decisions about their own bodies? History will remember which side we choose.”
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UltraViolet Responds to Fourth Set of Rape Allegations Against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs; Calls on Grammy Awards to Rescind Comb’s Nominations, and Invitation to Attend
()FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, December 7, 2023
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | Brett@unbendablemedia.com
UltraViolet Responds to Fourth Set of Rape Allegations Against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs; Calls on Grammy Awards to Rescind Comb’s Nominations, and Invitation to Attend
NEW YORK, NY — Yesterday, allegations against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, alleging the rape and sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl in 2003, were filed under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law in a federal Manhattan court.
The lawsuit concerns the fourth individual to come forward over allegations of sexual assault by Combs in the span of three weeks, following singer Cassie’s accusations of sexual assault and domestic violence against Diddy on November 16.
In response to this news, Elisa Batista, Campaign Director at UltraViolet, has called on the Grammys to rescind its 2024 nomination and invitation of Combs:
“We are deeply disturbed and concerned by the recent allegations of sexual abuse, sex trafficking of a minor, and domestic violence made against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs over the past three weeks. The gravity of the allegations against Combs underscore the ongoing need for accountability — and that the #MeToo movement is relevant and badly needed more than ever.
“Not surprisingly, almost all of Combs’ brands have dropped him for his abusive and inexcusable behavior. But last month, the Grammys awarded Combs with his first-ever nomination as a lead artist in one of the two R&B album categories. We are calling on the Grammys to stop enabling abusers and to immediately rescind Combs’ nomination and invitation. Survivors don’t need to see that.
“Speaking out against an abuser, let alone one so powerful and influential, is a terrifying possibility for so many survivors. And one of the reasons the four women who came forward to share their experiences with Combs deserve our attention and our respect.
“Most sexual assault survivors never report their abuse out of fear of being gaslit, discredited, harassed, threatened, or worse. We applaud the four survivors who bravely did so here.
“The graphic allegations against Combs are a sobering reminder that survivors deserve better. Shame on Sean Combs for trying to discredit these women; shame on the music and entertainment industries for enabling men who weaponize their wealth and power to sexually abuse young women and girls.
“We will always stand with and believe survivors. Full Stop.”
UltraViolet has a long-running connection to the #MeToo movement and the music industry.
In 2014, pop singer Kesha came forward to accuse music producer Dr. Luke sexual assault. After the allegations were made public, UltraViolet hosted petitions, organized protests, and publicly advocated for Sony Music to “Free Kesha” from her relationship with her alleged abuser.
In 2018, following Spotify’s decision to remove R. Kelly and other infamous abusers from its official playlists, UltraViolet penned an open letter to Spotify CEO applauding the company’s decision, but urging Elk to look deeper at other artists with a history of sexual and physical abuse that continued to profit from Spotify’s promotion. Ultimately, Spotify reversed its decision to hold abusers accountable and added R. Kelly back to official Spotify-promoted playlists.
One year later, tens of thousands of people signed UltraViolet’s petition, echoing calls of the #MuteRKelly campaign, urging RCA Records to drop Kelly. UltraViolet also commissioned a plane banner to fly over Sony Music’s HQs in Los Angeles, demanding RCA Records to sever ties with R Kelly and took part in the “#MuteRKelly Rally to Protect Black Girls” at Sony Music HQ’s in New York City.
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