Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson has become an activist against human trafficking and sex slavery. This would suggest an attitude that is generally against the rape of young girls, no?
So why did she sign that abhorrent "Free Polanski" petition?
Excuse me while my head explodes.
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Oh this is easy:
It's not like what Polanski did was 'rape rape', you know? Just ask Whoopi Goldberg.
I keep seeing references to this petition, but the only technical explanation of its contents I can seem to find involve protesting the arrest on what had previously been neutral territory. I'm not sure if this is referring to an informal agreement between the film festival and the Swiss gov't, actual legal/procedural issues, or what, but nothing about the petition seems to be talking about the merits of Polanksi's case, simply the procedure. Without weighing in with my own thoughts on the validity of it, it's entirely possible that certain celebrities who signed it feel like they can take a stand on the procedure and not simultaneously be saying that rape isn't bad.
Below is the full text of the petition in case anyone else is interested in reading it in its entirety. It seems that it could be interpreted as saying we don't want to go into neutral territory arresting people, but it also states that those who signed are offering full support and friendship so...
"We have learned the astonishing news of Roman Polanski’s arrest by the Swiss police on September 26th, upon arrival in Zurich (Switzerland) while on his way to a film festival where he was due to receive an award for his career in filmmaking. His arrest follows an American arrest warrant dating from 1978 against the filmmaker, in a case of morals.
Filmmakers in France, in Europe, in the United States and around the world are dismayed by this decision. It seems inadmissible to them that an international cultural event, paying homage to one of the greatest contemporary filmmakers, is used by the police to apprehend him.
By their extraterritorial nature, film festivals the world over have always permitted works to be shown and for filmmakers to present them freely and safely, even when certain States opposed this.
The arrest of Roman Polanski in a neutral country, where he assumed he could travel without hindrance, undermines this tradition: it opens the way for actions of which no-one can know the effects.
Roman Polanski is a French citizen, a renown and international artist now facing extradition. This extradition, if it takes place, will be heavy in consequences and will take away his freedom.
Filmmakers, actors, producers and technicians - everyone involved in international filmmaking - want him to know that he has their support and friendship.
On September 16th, 2009, Mr. Charles Rivkin, the US Ambassador to France, received French artists and intellectuals at the embassy. He presented to them the new Minister Counselor for Public Affairs at the embassy, Ms Judith Baroody. In perfect French she lauded the Franco-American friendship and recommended the development of cultural relations between our two countries.
If only in the name of this friendship between our two countries, we demand the immediate release of Roman Polanski."