Harvard rescinds 2014 medal awarded to Harvey Weinstein
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Harvard University is rescinding a 2014 medal it awarded to Harvey Weinstein for his contributions to African American culture.
The school's Hutchins Center for African and African American Research decided to revoke the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal on Tuesday in light of allegations of sexual abuse against the movie mogul.
Weinstein was given the award in 2014 along with seven others, including and Maya Angelou. It's considered Harvard's highest honor in the field of African and African American Studies.
The center's leaders said they stand with "the women who have courageously come forward" to fight for themselves and "all of those who have experienced similar abuse."
Weinstein was fired from the film company he started following allegations of sexual harassment and rape from more than three dozen women.
The Weinstein saga has touched a nerve with people all over the world. They are speaking out using the hashtag #MeToo on social media.
A post shared by actress Alyssa Milano on Sunday asked people who have been sexually assaulted or harassed to tweet "me too."
Actresses Debra Messing, Ana Paquin and Anika Noni-Rose are among those who have taken part in the "#MeToo" campaign. "Hamilton" actor, Javier Muñoz, also tweeted "me too," and shared that he was a victim of sexual assault or harassment "multiple times."
Milano, a star of the long-running sitcom "Who's the Boss," previously wrote a blog pegged to the Weinstein fallout.
"While I am sickened and angered over the disturbing accusations of Weinstein's sexual predation and abuse of power, I'm happy -- ecstatic even -- that it has opened up a dialogue around the the continued sexual harassment, objectification and degradation of women."
