Heather Lind claimed that the former president 'touched me from behind from his wheelchair' despite the presence of wife Barbara Bush, who was allegedly aware of his action.
- Oct 25, 2017
AceShowbiz - Actress Heather Lind dropped a bombshell accusation on a #MeToo post. Posted on her Instagram account on Tuesday, October 24, the "Turn" alum alleged that she was sexually assaulted by former President George H. W. Bush from his wheelchair, while his wife Barbara Bush was present.
"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," the actress captioned a photo of Obama shaking hands with Bush during a fundraising event for hurricane relief as well as a snap of her and "Turn" cast members posing with Bush. "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," she went on writing. "He didn't shake my hand. He touched me from behind from his wheelchair with his wife Barbara Bush by his side."
The 34-year-old actress also claimed that the 93-year-old former POTUS "made a dirty joke," before adding, "And then, all the while being photographed, touched me again." According to the actress, Barbara Bush was aware of her husband's action as she allegedly "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," she continued.
"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," she added. "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."
She said that her fellow cast members and producers helped her that day and continue to support her. "I am grateful for the bravery of other women who have spoken up and written about their experiences," she wrote, before thanking 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."
