Natalie Portman calls for action at Hollywood luncheon

California: Natalie Portman took a flamethrower to the patriarchy. George Clooney admonished what he called the Trump administration's culture of fear. Emma Gonzalez implored people to vote. And host Jenifer Lewis spared no one, from Melania Trump and Kanye West to Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh.

Nothing was off the table at Variety magazine's Power of Women luncheon held in Beverly Hills on Friday, almost exactly a year since The New York Times and The New Yorker published accounts from dozens of women alleging sexual misconduct by the once- powerful movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein, who has denied any wrongdoing, was quickly ostracized by the entertainment industry, which helped gain momentum for the # MeToo and Time's Up movements. In a commanding 15- minute speech, Portman addressed the underrepresentation of women in all industries and laid out guidelines to incite change, such as donating to Time's Up, opting against depicting violence against women in films and hiring women for positions they're not typically considered for.

She was being recognized for her humanitarian efforts in co- founding Time's Up, a legal defense fund that was created following the rise of the # MeToo movement to address and combat inequality in the workplace.

The Oscar- winning actress was being recognized for her humanitarian efforts in co- founding Time’s Up.

Are we really scared of all the things that actually make America great? And if yes, then we will have history to answer to. Holding responsible wolves in wolves’ clothing will stand the test of time — George Clooney You know that you are forces to be reckoned with. You can and have inspired peace and understanding and most importantly right now, you can inspire your audience to vote. Women need to rise up more than ever. — Emma Gonazelz Weinstein is still free because our culture protects the perpetrators of sexual violence, not its victims... Lawyers helped Melanie Kohler triumph against Ratner. — Natalie Portman I wish it didn't take something so tragic to bring us together. I wish it had been a different cause. — Lena Waithe