Celebrities team up to film viral video of support for Kavanaugh accuser: ‘Dear Professor Ford ...’

Female celebrities have taken the initiative in banding together to support Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct in the early 1980s.

The celebrities, as well as other women in the U.S., teamed up and recorded a video of support and solidarity for a woman they call their sister.

What's the background?

California professor Christine Blasey Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault in an incident that she said took place in the early 1980s when the two were high school students.

Ford, now 51, delivered the information in a letter to Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in July, shortly after Trump chose Kavanaugh as the nominee for Supreme Court justice. Feinstein — the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee — eventually turned the letter over to the FBI.

According to Ford’s account, she attended a house party with Kavanaugh and other teens at a Maryland home in 1982. Ford wrote that Kavanaugh pushed her into a bedroom along with another male companion. Kavanaugh then allegedly locked the door, put on loud music to muffle any sounds, and reportedly attempted to remove Ford’s clothing.

Ford said that Kavanaugh and his male friend, who were reportedly drunk, laughed. At one point, Ford said that Kavanaugh placed his hand over her mouth to keep her from making any noises. She later revealed that she thought he might inadvertently kill her during the alleged incident.

Kavanaugh flatly denied Ford’s allegations: “I categorically and unequivocally deny this allegation. I did not do this back in high school or at any time.”

According to her lawyer, Ford is willing to testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Kavanaugh has said that he is also willing to testify again in front of the committee.

“I have never done anything like what the accuser describes — to her or to anyone. Because this never happened, I had no idea who was making this accusation until she identified herself yesterday,” Kavanaugh said Monday.

The Senate Judiciary Committee delayed a vote on Kavanaugh. The committee also set a Monday hearing that requests Ford and Kavanaugh to testify publicly.

Ford now says that she does not plan to testify until the FBI investigates her allegations.

What's in the video?

Celebrities like Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei, and Gabrielle Union — among other women — filmed the video in support of Ford.

The video, which was produced by MoveOn, featured the women saying, “Dear Professor Ford, we know how difficult it is to stand up to powerful people. We want to thank you for publicly sharing your story of sexual violence.

“The behavior you described was wrong and runs directly counter to upholding the law and promoting justice. He should not be confirmed,” the women in the video added.

“We applaud your courage in coming forward for the public good and we will be with you as you face the inevitable backlash,” the women continued. “You are strong. And you are not alone.”

The video concluded, “You are a survivor and millions of us have your back. You and your testimony are credible. We believe you. Signed, Your Sisters.”

#DearProfessorFord, your sisters have a message for you: we believe you. We call on Senators to demand a full, fair and trauma-informed investigation. pic.twitter.com/Of32UZ6JFx

— Julianne Moore (@_juliannemoore) September 19, 2018