Weinstein accusers Annabella Sciorra, Salma Hayek, Ashley Judd champion Time's Up at Oscars

The leaders of Time’s Up took the stage during the 90th annual Academy Awards on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Annabella Sciorra, Salma Hayek, and Ashley Judd spoke the group, which provides legal assistance to women across various industries seeking to prevent sexual harassment and gender biases in the workplace. All three have accused producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct: In October 2017, Sciorra told The New Yorker of an alleged rape in the early 1990s, while Judd detailed an alleged incident with Weinstein in his hotel room to the New York Times the same month. Hayek went public with her allegations in December 2017, penning a column for The New York Times in which she called him her “monster.” (Weinstein has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex, and through a spokesperson, called the incidents Hayek described “not accurate.”)

Together, the three women described the watershed #MeToo movement to introduce a reel celebrating Hollywood’s push for inclusion, diversity, and equality — and the same push across industries.

“This year, many spoke their truth and the journey ahead is long, but slowly a new path has emerged,” Sciorra began. “On this 90th anniversary evening when the Oscars celebrates timeless classics, we also look forward as well.”

Judd echoed her statements, while emphasizing the need for Time’s Up. “The changes we are witnessing are being driven by the powerful sound of new voices, of different voices, of our voices joining together in a mighty chorus that is finally saying Time’s Up,” she said. “We look forward to making sure that the next 90 years empower these limitless possibilities of equality, diversity, inclusion, intersectionality. That’s what this year has promised us.”

Finally, Hayek, visibly moved, wrapped up the introduction. “We salute those unstoppable spirits who kicked ass and broke through the biased perceptions against their gender, race, and ethnicity to tell their stories,” she explained. “So as you can see — so full of emotion, a little bit shaky — we ask you to join us as we take a look at some of these trailblazers.”

The video that followed began with an interview with Weinstein accuser Mira Sorvino, who said, “Everyone is getting a voice to express something that has been happening forever, not only in Hollywood, but in every walk of life.” It went on to feature messages from groundbreaking artists from the past year — including Greta Gerwig, Jordan Peele, Kumail Nanjiani, Yance Ford, and more — as well as artists who have pushed for diversity, including Geena Davis.

Formed in the wake of the #MeToo movement, Time’s Up has so far raised $21 million from 20,000 donors and has 500 attorneys available to assist on a pro bono basis, the organization’s representatives — including uber-producer Shonda Rhimes, director Ava DuVernay, actresses Laura Dern and Tessa Thompson — said earlier this week. They also explained that instead of organizing a protest on the Oscars red carpet (as they had at the Golden Globes), the group would have “a moment” at the Oscars to raise awareness for their cause.

After all, Time’s Up isn’t just about Hollywood or the famous faces of the movement. “It’s really important that you know that Time’s Up is not about the red carpet,” Rhimes said Thursday. “And those women you saw on the red carpet representing Time’s Up are now off the red carpet working their butts off being activists.”

To donate to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, which will provide subsidized legal support to women and men in all industries who have experienced sexual harassment, assault, or abuse in the workplace, visit its GoFundMe page. Learn more about Time’s Up, an organization of women in entertainment combating sexual harassment and inequality, on its website.