Growing Concern Among Union Members
Members of SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) are voicing their concerns. They want the union leaders to take action. They are worried about how members with pro-Palestine views are treated.
Why Are They Worried?
You might ask, what sparked this worry? Well, it all started when SAG-AFTRA responded to a violent incident. In October 2023, Hamas attacked Israel. The union leaders came forward, stating they were against the violence towards Israelis. But many union members weren’t happy with that. They felt the statement ignored the humanitarian crisis happening in Gaza. These concerns led to calls for a ceasefire and for protection for members speaking up for Palestinian rights.
A Letter Calls for Change
Over 700 union members weren’t just going to sit back and do nothing. They signed an open letter, critical of SAG-AFTRA’s response to the conflict. The letter highlights the serious humanitarian issues that have come from the ongoing conflict. There have been high casualties among Palestinians and a lot of destruction in Gaza. This letter is asking SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and the other leaders to step up. It wants them to support a ceasefire and stop the blacklisting of members who support Palestinians.
Members Speak Out
There are some pretty big names involved in this call for action. Mark Ruffalo, Susan Sarandon, and Cynthia Nixon are just a few of those speaking out. Amin El Gamal, who presides over the SAG-AFTRA national MENA committee, is one of them. He’s upset that the union is ignoring his efforts to bring up these issues. Not just him, but other voices have shared feeling like they’re not being heard. Some have even said they’ve faced threats or retaliation.
Claims of Discrimination
Others, like Chicago-based actor Sarah Alami, believe there’s a pattern of discrimination against those who support Palestinian rights. She says having these views has hurt her career and led to personal harassment.
Retaliation Allegations
The letter also gives examples of members facing harassment and job loss for their pro-Palestine stance. One actor, who didn’t want to give their name, said they got threatening messages. They also faced harassment from people in the industry. These members believe the union is supposed to protect them from this kind of thing.
Demand for Action
The open letter is clear about what it wants. It needs the SAG-AFTRA leadership to be direct about what their stance is on the conflict. It wants members to not be punished for their views. And it’s tired of a double standard in how the union responds to international crises. It hopes the union will commit to being fair and inclusive.
What This All Means
This situation shows a serious tension within SAG-AFTRA. Members want to advocate for human rights. But what the union officially says about international conflicts doesn’t line up with that. The call for the union to take action and protect its members isn’t going away. It’s the center of the debate and union activism.
In Other News
In other Southern California news, the state continues boosting its efforts to bring big productions to the area. Exciting updates on the incentives for filming in LA and what it means for the future of the industry.
40 years after the wildly popular film, The Goonies, a sequel is finally in the works!
Also, a look at a landmark year for Hollywood labor and top union salaries, including a SAG-AFTRA executive making over a million dollars a year!
It seems there’s never a dull moment for Hollywood on the frontlines of activism or behind the scenes!
Check the full story on https://projectcasting.com/blog/casting-calls-acting-auditions/palestine-actors