The most well-known actors and actresses in Hollywood are demonstrating their support for the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike by walking the picket lines alongside their fellow union members.
Following the failure of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to achieve an agreement on fair compensation and the application of artificial intelligence in the business, the labor union that represents more than 160,000 TV and film performers voted in July to go on strike.
This decision came as a result of the failure of the AMPTP to reach an agreement. In May, members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) opted to participate in a strike as well. Fran Drescher, the president of SAG, has stated that the organization will be participating in the strike along with WGA.
“We couldn’t be in a more pivotal hour right now. My expectation going into the meeting was that we would be able to avoid going on strike. During a news conference on July 13, Drescher emphasized that she is aware of the significance of this move and does not underestimate its significance.
“It’s a really significant issue that affects tens of thousands, if not millions, of individuals all around the world and all over our country. Not only persons who are part of this union but also people who are employed in other industries that provide support to those who are employed in this business… We were left without an option. We are the ones who are getting hurt here. We are the unfortunate victims of an extremely avaricious monster.
In the meantime, the AMPTP issued a statement in which they expressed that they were “very unhappy that SAG-AFTRA has opted to walk away from negotiations,” to which they added, “This is the Union’s choice, not ours.
Our offer of historic pay and residual increases, much greater caps on pension and health payments, audition protections, shortened series option periods, a ground-breaking AI concept that protects performers’ digital likenesses, and more has been rejected as a result of this action.
Continue scrolling to find out which famous people have picked up picket signs and joined the SAG-AFTRA strike:
Theresa Lee Sheryl Ralph
On September 4, the star of Abbott Elementary participated in the 36th Annual Tristate Labor Day Parade in Pennsylvania among members of SAG-AFTRA and WGA. The parade was organized by the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO.
Sam Asghari Asghari
On August 31, Sam Asghari Asghari posted a photo of himself online in which he was carrying a strike sign. After some time, he was observed standing on the picket line in front of Disney’s Burbank studios. “I’m not here to talk about my personal life,” he told TMZ. “I’m not here to talk about my professional life.”
“We’re here to raise awareness for my brothers and sisters who are working hard and striking for my future,” said the organizer of this event. I really hope that everything gets sorted out very quickly so that we can all get back to doing what it is that we enjoy the most, which is creating art and motivating other people.
