Morgan Freeman Dropped From Campaigns Following Multiple Assault Allegations

Morgan Freeman has reportedly been dropped from some of his marketing campaigns after allegations against him came to light. So far eight women have come forward and accused the actor of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior. Visa and Vancouver’s public transit system are the first two organizations to sever their relationships with him.

Both of the companies released statements about their decision.

“In light of the information we’ve learned … of allegations regarding actor Morgan Freeman, TransLink has decided to pause his voice announcements as part of a Visa ad campaign on our transit system. We will be reaching out to Visa to discuss further.”

TransLink to pause Morgan Freeman SkyTrain announcements over sexual harassment allegations https://t.co/R9IxPRtvPu pic.twitter.com/M9lSVunVuz

— The Province (@theprovince) May 24, 2018

Oh boy ??‍♂️??‍♂️??‍♂️ first #BillCosby now #morganfreeman ?!?! Say it ain’t so ?? I hope they don’t give him a nick name like #Pillcosby ??? fr tho they taking all the black icons ??‍♂️??‍♂️??‍♂️ #Metoo #Timesup #harveyweinstein

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In addition to being dropped from campaigns, SAG-AFTRA is already in the process of considering whether they should do something about Freeman’s Life Achievement Award. The union released a statement explaining that they are pondering the best move given the situation.

“These are compelling and devastating allegations which are absolutely contrary to all the steps that we are taking to ensure a safe work environment. Any accused person has the right to due process, but it is our starting point to believe the courageous voices who come forward to report incidents of harassment…we are reviewing what corrective actions may be warranted at this time.”

Morgan Freeman is accused of sexual harassment by EIGHT women! . . #MorganFreeman, one of the most celebrated actors in the film industry, has been accused of sexual harassment by several women, according to a report by CNN on Thursday. The accusations ranged from unwanted touching to sexually suggestive comments — on movie sets, in office environments and during meetings with the news media. . . One production assistant told CNN that she had endured several months of harassment while working on the set of “ Going in Style ,” a film released last year starring Mr. Freeman, Alan Arkin and Michael Caine. She said that on one occasion Mr. Freeman “kept trying to lift up my skirt and asking if I was wearing underwear,” until Mr. Arkin told Mr. Freeman to stop. There were also suggestive comments and unwanted touching, such as putting his hand on her back. . . A woman described as a senior member of the production staff of “Now You See Me ,” a 2013 movie, said Mr. Freeman would routinely comment on her physical appearance and that of her assistant. . . Three reporters said that Mr. Freeman made inappropriate comments to them during publicity events to promote coming films. One reporter, Chloe Melas of CNN, said that, during an interview last year about “Going in Style,” when she was six months pregnant, Mr. Freeman looked her up and down and told her, “You are ripe.” . . A camera caught Mr. Freeman saying “Boy, do I wish I was there,” directed toward Ms. Melas. CNN aired the video with the remark on Thursday. . . “Right when I walked into the room, he began to make sexually suggestive comments to me,” Ms. Melas, one of the authors of the CNN report, said on air Thursday. “As an entertainment reporter for over a decade, it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.” . Ms. Melas then began looking for other women who had had similar experiences. An article on CNN’s website said that the network had spoken with 16 people, eight of whom accused Mr. Freeman of inappropriate behavior. . . In a statement after the article was published, Mr. Freeman, 80, said: “Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend anyone"

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Morgan Freeman has already spoken out and released an apology about the behavior, which was reported as innapropriate comments about their bodies as well as innapropriate touching. Freeman maintains that he had no intentions of offending anyone.

“Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy, I apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected — that was never my intent.”

Other women have spoken about Morgan Freeman’s attitude about women in the past, a lot of which has been caught on interview footage. There were some instances where he seemed to cross the line, saying things such as “My goodness, are you married? Fool around with other guys? I’m just asking.”

Author Janet Mock once said that Freeman’s behavior shows the “exhibition of the casual nature at which men in positions of power believe that everything belongs to them, including women’s bodies.”