#StandUp to Bill O'Reilly
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#StandUp to Bill O’Reilly: No More Silence
It started with a sinking feeling, when I saw how many friends used the hashtag #MeToo, signaling that they’ve been victims of sexual harassment or abuse. The collective courage of these women was overcoming years of fear and silence.
I decided to speak up publicly, to recount my personal experience with an ex-girlfriend who was harassed by a powerful man – Bill O’Reilly of Fox News. I did it truthfully. I did it from the heart, and I did it here: https://www.facebook.com/michaelpanter
Then Bill O’Reilly sued me. Bill O’Reilly, whose net worth is reportedly $85 million, and who was rich enough to reportedly pay $32 million to just one of his sexual harassment or abuse accusers earlier this year.
I’m a New Jersey small business owner, not a public figure, a celebrity or wealthy person. I just felt that men should speak up, truthfully, to support the women in their lives and everywhere.
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“[C]omplaints about Mr. O’Reilly … included allegations of repeated harassment, a nonconsensual sexual relationship and the sending of gay pornography and other sexually explicit material to her, according to the people briefed on the matter.” – NYT, October 21, 2017
“I didn’t realize the extent that these settlements and these confidentiality agreements played … ” Ms. Steel said. “As soon as a woman signs this, she can’t talk about her allegations ever again.” – NYT, October 15, 2017
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It gave me a small sense of how victims must feel when confronting powerful men.
His message is clear: Speak the truth and be destroyed – let that be a warning to everyone. To us.
With all of his critics, why might O’Reilly choose me - a “small” person posting to Facebook as his target?
Perhaps because one post did something truly threatening: it told the truth. People recognized that.
Perhaps he wanted to send a threat to everyone, while picking an easy target.
Call to Action: Help Me Stand Up to the Bill
This case is not about any one of us. It is about someone like O’Reilly sending a message to all of us. He’s hoping I’ll fold immediately. But I want to stand up to him.
It’s about our society being at a tipping point where more people can speak up about sexual harassment, or be beaten back into silence.
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“When I was talking to sources, I knew what it was like to be on the other side of a phone call when O’Reilly was saying threatening things,” she said. – Journalist Emily Steel - NYT, October 15, 2017
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Let’s send back an equally powerful message – there is incredible strength in numbers.
We've heard from thousands of supporters, and many have asked how we can fight together.
We’re confident we can prevail, and will be announcing that some of our nation’s leading voices against sexual harassment will be joining our team.
You will see us fighting for the truth publicly, and receive updates.
I have committed to never accept a single penny for my time, or from any settlements or contributions. But I do need help funding the best legal team to stand up to his, and to fight the many legal battles in this case.
People like O’Reilly count on their lawyers to bury people like me with endless briefs and motions until we just give up. Please help me fight – and win.
If money is left at the end beyond fees, expenses or judgments, it will go to organizations around the U.S. supporting sexual abuse victims.
I am humbly asking you to play a role with us – no matter how large or small.
In your own name, or anonymously if you wish to remain private.
To share this campaign far and wide, to good people who feel the same as we do. To show O’Reilly and others like him that none of us are alone, now or tomorrow.
Your friend, Michael Panter
It started with a sinking feeling, when I saw how many friends used the hashtag #MeToo, signaling that they’ve been victims of sexual harassment or abuse. The collective courage of these women was overcoming years of fear and silence.
I decided to speak up publicly, to recount my personal experience with an ex-girlfriend who was harassed by a powerful man – Bill O’Reilly of Fox News. I did it truthfully. I did it from the heart, and I did it here: https://www.facebook.com/michaelpanter
Then Bill O’Reilly sued me. Bill O’Reilly, whose net worth is reportedly $85 million, and who was rich enough to reportedly pay $32 million to just one of his sexual harassment or abuse accusers earlier this year.
I’m a New Jersey small business owner, not a public figure, a celebrity or wealthy person. I just felt that men should speak up, truthfully, to support the women in their lives and everywhere.
---------------------------------------------------------------
“[C]omplaints about Mr. O’Reilly … included allegations of repeated harassment, a nonconsensual sexual relationship and the sending of gay pornography and other sexually explicit material to her, according to the people briefed on the matter.” – NYT, October 21, 2017
“I didn’t realize the extent that these settlements and these confidentiality agreements played … ” Ms. Steel said. “As soon as a woman signs this, she can’t talk about her allegations ever again.” – NYT, October 15, 2017
---------------------------------------------------------------
It gave me a small sense of how victims must feel when confronting powerful men.
His message is clear: Speak the truth and be destroyed – let that be a warning to everyone. To us.
With all of his critics, why might O’Reilly choose me - a “small” person posting to Facebook as his target?
Perhaps because one post did something truly threatening: it told the truth. People recognized that.
Perhaps he wanted to send a threat to everyone, while picking an easy target.
Call to Action: Help Me Stand Up to the Bill
This case is not about any one of us. It is about someone like O’Reilly sending a message to all of us. He’s hoping I’ll fold immediately. But I want to stand up to him.
It’s about our society being at a tipping point where more people can speak up about sexual harassment, or be beaten back into silence.
----------------------------------------------------------------
“When I was talking to sources, I knew what it was like to be on the other side of a phone call when O’Reilly was saying threatening things,” she said. – Journalist Emily Steel - NYT, October 15, 2017
----------------------------------------------------------------
Let’s send back an equally powerful message – there is incredible strength in numbers.
We've heard from thousands of supporters, and many have asked how we can fight together.
We’re confident we can prevail, and will be announcing that some of our nation’s leading voices against sexual harassment will be joining our team.
You will see us fighting for the truth publicly, and receive updates.
I have committed to never accept a single penny for my time, or from any settlements or contributions. But I do need help funding the best legal team to stand up to his, and to fight the many legal battles in this case.
People like O’Reilly count on their lawyers to bury people like me with endless briefs and motions until we just give up. Please help me fight – and win.
If money is left at the end beyond fees, expenses or judgments, it will go to organizations around the U.S. supporting sexual abuse victims.
I am humbly asking you to play a role with us – no matter how large or small.
In your own name, or anonymously if you wish to remain private.
To share this campaign far and wide, to good people who feel the same as we do. To show O’Reilly and others like him that none of us are alone, now or tomorrow.
Your friend, Michael Panter
Organizer
Michael Panter
Organizer
Shrewsbury, NJ