The #MeToo movements founder called for unity and perseverance following the surprise overturning of Harvey Weinsteins 2020 rape conviction by New Yorks highest court on Thursday, even as the former movie moguls attorney celebrated the ruling as a great day for America.

We are devastated to the survivors who are connected to this case, and the survivors who had found some solace and catharsis in the original verdict around Harvey Weinstein, Tarana Burke, whose global campaign against sexual abuse took off amid the first allegations against Weinstein, said at a press conference following the New York Court of Appeals decision.

The legal system has never served survivors in this country, she said even if, in the immediate wake of Weinsteins conviction, survivors of rape and sexual assault hoped that there was going to be a change.

This moment feels like we were wrong, she said.

But Burke insisted that the #MeToo movement lives on, despite the ruling.

Ten years ago we could not get a man like Harvey Weinstein into a courtroom, she said. Since his arrest, millions of victims of sexual violence have found the strength and courage to speak out and share their stories as well, she said.

That will always be the victory. This doesnt change that, she said while urging the movements supporters to keep standing up and using their voices.

The appeals court ruled 4-3 that the judge overseeing Weinsteins trial allowed for improper behavior, including the inclusion of untested allegations against Weinstein by women who were not complainants in the case.