Yesterday actress Heather Lind accused former president George H.W. Bush of inappropriately touching her at an event in 2014. Today, his office released this statement:
"At age 93, President Bush has been confined to a wheelchair for roughly five years, so his arm falls on the lower waist of people with whom he takes pictures. To try to put people at ease, the president routinely tells the same joke — and on occasion, he has patted women's rears in what he intended to be a good-natured manner. Some have seen it as innocent; others clearly view it as inappropriate. To anyone he has offended, President Bush apologizes most sincerely."
Lind's accusation came just days after Mr. Bush joined his son and other former presidents, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama at a Texas Hurricane Relief Concert. The photos of the presidents together triggered her memory of a moment when she too stood next to a president.
Embed from Getty Images
Lind's now-removed Instagram post said, "...when I got the chance to meet George H. W. Bush four years ago to promote a historical television show I was working on, he sexually assaulted me while I was posing for a similar photo.
"He didn't shake my hand. He touched me from behind from his wheelchair with his wife Barbara Bush by his side. He told me a dirty joke. And then, all the while being photographed, touched me again."
Lind's story is just one of many since accusations against Harvey Weinstein began to be taken seriously.
Read Lind's full statement:
"I was disturbed today by a photo I saw of President Barack Obama shaking hands with George H. W. Bush in a gathering of ex-presidents organizing aid to states and territories damaged by recent hurricanes.
"I found it disturbing because I recognize the respect ex-presidents are given for having served. And I feel pride and reverence toward many of the men in the photo.
"But when I got the chance to meet George H. W. Bush four years ago to promote a historical television show I was working on, he sexually assaulted me while I was posing for a similar photo.
"He didn't shake my hand. He touched me from behind from his wheelchair with his wife Barbara Bush by his side. He told me a dirty joke. And then, all the while being photographed, touched me again.
"Barbara rolled her eyes as if to say "not again". His security guard told me I shouldn't have stood next to him for the photo. We were instructed to call him Mr. President.
"It seems to me a President's power is in his or her capacity to enact positive change, actually help people, and serve as a symbol of our democracy. He relinquished that power when he used it against me and, judging from the comments of those around him, countless other women before me.
"What comforts me is that I too can use my power, which isn't so different from a President really. I can enact positive change. I can actually help people. I can be a symbol of my democracy. I can refuse to call him President, and call out other abuses of power when I see them.
"I can vote for a President, in part, by the nature of his or her character, knowing that his or her political decisions must necessarily stem from that character.
"My fellow cast-mates and producers helped me that day and continue to support me. I am grateful for the bravery of other women who have spoken up and written about their experiences.
"And I thank President Barack Obama for the gesture of respect he made toward George H. W. Bush for the sake of our country, but I do not respect him. #metoo"
TOP PHOTO: George H.W. Bush poses for a photo with the cast of AMC's series 'TURN' on March, 29, 2014' in Houston. Actress Heather Lind is next to him. Aaron M. Sprecher / Invision for AMC
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