Scarlett Johansson Slammed James Franco In A Powerful Speech At The LA Women’s March

Scarlett Johansson has slammed alleged sexual abuser James Franco in a rousing speech at the second annual Women’s March in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Standing in front of the crowd wearing a Time’s Up shirt, the actress asked how a person could “publicly stand by an organization that helps to provide support for victims of sexual assault while privately preying on people who have no power?”

“I want my pin back, by the way,” she added.

A representative for Johansson later confirmed that her remarks were about Franco, who was seen wearing a Time’s Up pin at the Golden Globes but has since been accused of sexual misconduct by five women. Franco has denied the allegations.

Johansson went on to speak about the difference between consent and coersion, a subject that has been increasingly debated in the wake of the allegations against comedian Aziz Ansari.

“How is it okay for someone in a position of power to use that power to take advantage of someone in a lesser position?” she asked. “If a person isn’t saying yes but they aren’t saying no, how can anyone feel justified to make that decision for them?”

“I’ve had many relationships both personal and professional where the power dynamic was so off that I had to create a narrative that I was the cool girl who could hang in and hang out, and that sometimes meant compromising what felt right for me,” she said.

“I want to move forward. And for me, moving forward means my daughter growing up in a world where she doesn’t have to be victim of what has cruelly become the social norm.”

You can watch Johansson’s full speech, below.