Meryl Streep targeted by 'She Knew' Harvey Weinstein poster campaign

The posters have popped up around Los Angeles 

Jack Shepherd
Wednesday 20 December 2017 09:44 GMT
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Meryl Streep targeted by poster campaign 'She Knew' in Los Angeles

Ever since allegations against Harvey Weinstein were made public, Meryl Streep has been a vocal advocate for women coming forward.

Although many people have questioned whether the esteemed actor— who has worked with the disgraced Hollywood mogul on numerous occasions — knew about Weinstein’s behaviour beforehand, Streep has consistently denied knowledge of any wrongdoing.

“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,” she said in a statement after the initial reports were made.

She continued: “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 behaviour 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.”

Despite those claims, one street artist has begun putting posters featuring Streep alongside Harvey Weinstein, the phrase “She Knew” written across the actor’s eyes.

According to EW, the posters have been spotted across Los Angeles, one located by Streep’s home, others posters outside the SAG-AFTRA building and across from the 20th Century Fox studio lot.

Perhaps coincidentally, Streep has been speaking out about Weinstein again over the last week after being criticised by activist Rose McGowan for deciding to wear black to the Golden Globes as a protest against sexual harassment in Hollywood.

“Actresses, like Meryl Streep, who happily worked for The Pig Monster, are wearing black Golden Globes in a silent protest,” McGowan wrote on Twitter.

“YOUR SILENCE is THE problem. You’ll accept a fake award breathlessly and affect no real change. I despise your hypocrisy. Maybe you should all wear Marchesa.”

Streep responded by issuing a statement, once against she had no knowledge of Weinstein’s behaviour and saying she wasn’t being “deliberately silent”.

Time's person of the year revealed to be 'The Silence Breakers'

“It hurt to be attacked by Rose McGowan in banner headlines this weekend,” Streep said, “but I want to let her know I did not know about Weinstein’s crimes, not in the 90s when he attacked her, or through subsequent decades when he proceeded to attack others.

“I wasn’t deliberately silent. I didn’t know. I don’t tacitly approve of rape. I didn’t know. I don’t like young women being assaulted. I didn’t know this was happening.”

Streep spoke about never being invited to Weinstein’s hotel room, like so many other women were, adding how she was unaware of his behaviour.

“Weinstein needed us not to know this, because our association with him bought him credibility, an ability to lure young, aspiring women into circumstances where they would be hurt,” Streep said.

“He needed me much more than I needed him and he made sure I didn’t know.”

McGowan alleged back in October that Weinstein had raper her (accusations the disgraced mogul denies). Since she came forward, McGowan has used her platform to share stories by other women, and call out other men accused of sexual harassment and assault.

She has previously called out Streep on Twitter. In response to the esteemed actor’s comments calling Weinstein’s actions “the most gargantuan example of disrespect”, McGowan wrote: “No, Meryl, IT’S A FUCKING CRIME. You are such a lie.”

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