NYC New Year’s Eve ceremony to Feature ‘Me Too’ Activist Tarana Burke

Actress Rose McGowan, left, waves after being introduced by Tarana Burke, right, founder, #MeToo Campaign, at the inaugural Women’s Convention in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — An activist who started a “Me Too” campaign a decade ago to raise awareness about sexual violence will start this year’s ceremonial ball drop at Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

The Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment say Tarana Burke will push the crystal button that officially begins the 60-second countdown to the new year.

Numerous women have spoken out publicly since October about sexual misconduct by dozens of high-profile men in entertainment, media, business and sports.

A flurry of tweets, Instagram and Facebook posts ensued after actress-activist Alyssa Milano urged victims to respond with the phrase “me too.” Milano initially wasn’t aware of Burke’s earlier campaign and has since publicly credited her.

Burke says in a statement that 2018 will bring new momentum to the movement.