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Art Does Not Excuse Rape: Polanski Must Face Justice

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In response to the petition advocating the release of Roman Polanski, who was arrested in Switzerland after fleeing US justice for over 30 years despite pleading guilty in court to the rape of a thirteen-year-old girl in 1978, we, the undersigned, express our:

- support for the authorities involved in efforts to make Polanski finally face justice for this crime in the United States of America,

- condemnation of the "Petition for Roman Polanski" and its signatories, who have sought to use the admiration they receive from fans around the world to somehow minimize a crime of rape,

- belief that all lives be valued and that crimes against a child not be ignored because the perpetrator of those crimes is an admittedly significant artist,

- frustration with those in the public eye who have questioned whether "no means no" and whether "rape is rape" in regard to this or any rape case,

- sincere apologies to the victim of Polanski's crime for any part this petition has in prolonging her suffering because of his actions.

In response to the petition advocating the release of Roman Polanski, who was arrested in Switzerland after fleeing US justice for over 30 years despite pleading guilty in court to the rape of a thirteen-year-old girl in 1978, we, the undersigned, express our:

- support for the authorities involved in efforts to make Polanski finally face justice for this crime in the United States of America,

- condemnation of the "Petition for Roman Polanski" and its signatories, who have sought to use the admiration they receive from fans around the world to somehow minimize a crime of rape,

- belief that all lives be valued and that crimes against a child not be ignored because the perpetrator of those crimes is an admittedly significant artist,

- frustration with those in the public eye who have questioned whether "no means no" and whether "rape is rape" in regard to this or any rape case,

- sincere apologies to the victim of Polanski's crime for any part this petition has in prolonging her suffering because of his actions.
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We signed the "Art Does Not Excuse Rape: Polanski Must Face Justice" petition!
# 3,454:
7:16 am PST, Nov 20, Rosie Ellis, United Kingdom
# 3,453:
1:10 am PST, Nov 19, Sebastian Hale-Smith, United Kingdom
# 3,452:
7:23 pm PST, Nov 18, Name not displayed, Virginia
# 3,451:
8:33 am PST, Nov 18, Katelyn Bobalik, Florida
# 3,450:
3:19 pm PST, Nov 17, Alex Gomez, Florida
# 3,449:
3:05 am PST, Nov 17, Name not displayed, Turkey
Raping a child MUST be punished in the way it should be, regardless of the social scale or the title or whatever of the criminal.
# 3,448:
8:44 pm PST, Nov 16, Lila Van Meter, California
Rapists are soul stealers and those who rape children are the worst on this earth. Karma will happen.
# 3,447:
2:03 pm PST, Nov 16, Lacey Graham, California
he is no different from any other offender
# 3,446:
8:53 am PST, Nov 14, Name not displayed, Germany
# 3,445:
8:41 am PST, Nov 13, Martha Ellert, Illinois
# 3,444:
11:04 am PST, Nov 12, Naarah Patton, Illinois
It is entirely inappropriate--and inconsistent with every notion of justice and decency--to excuse this man's heinous behavior simply because of his "cultural contribution" or whatever one wants to call it. Sure, his filmmaking has had an impact. That's not the point. That's not even close to the point. Whether a person's life and work has had an impact on a local level, an international level, or somewhere in between, is irrelevant to the question of whether that person should face serious consequences for violating another being's human rights. Roman Polanski may be an artist, a visionary, an icon--or any number of other things his fans wish to call him. But he is also a rapist, and the former does not excuse the latter, not by a long shot.
# 3,443:
8:38 am PST, Nov 12, Jennifer Bull, Illinois
# 3,442:
4:47 pm PST, Nov 11, Fiona Lawrie, United Kingdom
# 3,441:
5:48 am PST, Nov 11, Jane Reid, Australia
Mr Polanski's creative output and traumatic childhood have no bearing on the crime he perpetrated on a 13 year old child. He committed rape, admitted his guilt yet fled justice. Now he presents himself as a victim. If it were not so abhorrent it would be laughable. Polanski must be held accountable for his crime.
# 3,440:
2:39 am PST, Nov 11, Tapati Ghosh, India
Raping cannot be justified.
# 3,439:
11:15 pm PST, Nov 10, Name not displayed, California
He has gotten away with it for too long. He does as he pleases and won't take NO for an answer!!!
# 3,438:
10:12 pm PST, Nov 10, Aditya Sengupta, India
# 3,437:
10:00 pm PST, Nov 10, Name not displayed, New York
I'm shocked and offended that anyone could believe that the creation of movies, no matter how excellent those movies may be, could somehow invalidate the crime of the rape of a child. Rape is NOT "a case of morals"!
# 3,436:
9:53 pm PST, Nov 10, Anindita Sengupta, India
# 3,435:
7:13 am PST, Nov 10, Taylor Buchanan, Canada
This is disgusting. I don't understand why so many Hollywood stars are signing on in support of this sicko. What does this teach us about how our society views rape?
# 3,434:
2:22 am PST, Nov 10, Nahid Sardar, Bangladesh
# 3,433:
9:40 am PST, Nov 9, Carly Kosonovich, Canada
Nothing excuses rape, which is a crime against humanity. He should face the consequences.
# 3,432:
7:44 am PST, Nov 9, Name not displayed, Texas
My mother was repeatedly raped by a stalker and my elder sister and grandmother molested—all underage. My mother didn't get to choose how she lost her virginity, it was forcibly decided for her. She was hunted down, even after leaving state for college, by a so-called "family friend" and raped on multiple occasions. With this history in mind, I will not allow a person who rapes another to run free. This is despicable and deplorable. Those who sign for his freedom should be ashamed of what they are condoning. And those who sign for his bondage should be proud of what they are defending. Thank you.
# 3,431:
8:04 pm PST, Nov 8, Jenny Chilson, Wisconsin
# 3,430:
9:48 pm PST, Nov 7, Name not displayed, Illinois
I think it's reprehensible that anyone can condone or excuse what he did. After all this time, he has convinced himself that he did nothing wrong and he's the victim. There's no doubt that there are other victims as well. The fact that he fled ought to be held against him instead of being used as a reason to free him.
# 3,429:
8:27 pm PST, Nov 7, Name not displayed, California
Filthy, disgusting, deplorable child rapist that fled from justice. Any other questions?
# 3,428:
6:39 pm PST, Nov 7, Rhiann Nicole, United Kingdom
# 3,427:
5:58 am PST, Nov 7, Name not displayed, North Carolina
You can rest assured that there have been more than just this particular crime. His supporters in Hollywood should be ashamed. Thank you for making this petition available for the rest of us.
# 3,426:
11:06 pm PST, Nov 6, Michelle Boivin, Canada
If you read the details of the rape it shows that the crime was premeditated. He "groomed" the girl over several weeks, winning the trust of her mother, lured her to an isolated setting under false pretense, drugged her and sodomized her. His predatory behaviour was chilling.
# 3,425:
9:01 pm PST, Nov 6, J.D. Hedges, Virginia
He raped a 13 year old girl. He should be tried for it. His status, his wealth, his life experiences both good and bad should not influence his standing. Hollywood's forgiveness, and even the victim's forgiveness have no bearing on the fact that everyone should be responsible for their actions.
# 3,424:
5:06 pm PST, Nov 6, Alissa Wilts, Canada
# 3,423:
2:34 pm PST, Nov 6, Wes Watson, Illinois
It was rape rape. He drugged her, and repeatedly and against her stated will - forced himself on her. He should be castrated.
# 3,422:
1:08 pm PST, Nov 6, Hayley Mousley, Oregon
Just because a person is famous does not mean that he shoudl be allowed to rape and flee. Rape of a child is something that he should be punished for. Spending 30 years in France is not a punishment.
# 3,421:
12:36 pm PST, Nov 6, C William Schmidt, Illinois
What would he say if the same deed were perpatrated on his daughter Morgane????????
# 3,420:
12:34 pm PST, Nov 6, Sunil Bellur, United Kingdom
MR GUNSON: Did you understand that she was 13 on March 10th, 1977, when you had sexual intercourse with her? THE DEFENDANT (Roman Polanski): Yes.
# 3,419:
11:40 am PST, Nov 6, J. Penner, Canada
Rape is a crime that punishes physically, sexually, emotionally and intellectually. It permanently affects every aspect of your life. Not only should Polanski go to jail, he should be made to understand that he is getting off easy by serving a sentence that has a beginning and an end.
# 3,418:
11:29 am PST, Nov 6, Hannah Sauer, United Kingdom
# 3,417:
10:57 am PST, Nov 6, Jenia Adamek, California
# 3,416:
10:15 am PST, Nov 6, Kavita Thavundayil, Canada
He did it. And then he fled. Coward. Hurting children is never acceptable.
# 3,415:
9:45 am PST, Nov 6, Jessica Enriquez, California
# 3,414:
9:23 am PST, Nov 6, Elizabeth Grinspan, New York
# 3,413:
7:58 am PST, Nov 6, Elizabeth Hutchin, Pennsylvania
Here's all you need to know: he raped a child. End of story.
# 3,412:
7:41 am PST, Nov 6, Name not displayed, Canada
Celebrity should not put someone above the law, or give license to behave immorally. Roman Polanski is a child molester, rapist, and monster. He should be charged to the fullest extent of the law.
# 3,411:
5:36 am PST, Nov 6, Paty Savage, Florida
Roman Polanski DRUGGED and RAPED a child. I'm disgusted by the people who are supporting him.
# 3,410:
4:58 am PST, Nov 6, Jeanne Bignell, Colorado
I find it hard to believe that any parent would sign that ridiculous petition for his release.Time to face justice.
# 3,409:
1:33 am PST, Nov 6, Name not displayed, Canada
HE RAPED A CHILD. THAT IS DISGUSTING AND HE NEEDS TO BE PUNISHED.
# 3,408:
8:52 pm PST, Nov 5, Candis Enriquez, California
Polanski raped a child. He drugged her, sodomized her, and had forceful intercourse. Polanski ran away rather than face the consequences. I am deeply disappointed in those fathers famous or not that signed support of him. What if it was their daughter would they be so willing to forgive and forget? I think not.
# 3,407:
7:21 pm PST, Nov 5, Alejandra De Delgado, Venezuela
Too many years enjoying freedom after he acknowledged what he did. Mr. Polanski sould go to jail.
# 3,406:
6:13 pm PST, Nov 5, Hilary Armstrong, Australia
# 3,405:
5:56 pm PST, Nov 5, Name not displayed, Massachusetts
# 3,404:
4:59 pm PST, Nov 5, Name not displayed, Illinois
You come to our country and break our laws, and are convicted of a crime - you should do the time. Running from the sentence is a show of disdain for our justice system. He should serve as an example.
# 3,403:
3:54 pm PST, Nov 5, Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
If no one liked his movies, then would they still be petitioning for his release? A rapist's career choice has nothing to do with this, and he needs to face justice.
# 3,402:
3:32 pm PST, Nov 5, Annette Fitak, California
# 3,401:
2:50 pm PST, Nov 5, Name not displayed, California
Being rich and famous does not excuse raping little girls.
# 3,400:
2:30 pm PST, Nov 5, Courtney Anderson, Canada
# 3,399:
2:10 pm PST, Nov 5, Name not displayed, California
# 3,398:
2:06 pm PST, Nov 5, Bojana Zoric, Serbia And Montenegro
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