Nearly 4,000 people gathered at Netflix on Sept. 13 for a historic solidarity march that followed Van Ness down to Melrose, and then ended in front of Paramount’s gate at North Windsor Boulevard. SAG-AFTRA
President Fran Drescher spoke briefly at the beginning of the rally, telling the crowd, “Your strength, your solidarity and your resolve is going to get us to the other side of this.”
As master of ceremonies, Los Angeles Local President Jodi Long acknowledged the creative community’s unique ability to bring such positivity to the current moment.
“That’s what makes all of us so effective in this movement,” she said. “We’re fueled by joy — and occasionally some trauma, depression, anxiety, feelings of inadequacy — but still a lot of joy. And that ability exists
in all of us, to turn a frustrating-as-hell situation into something fun and community-building to become the focal point of a global labor movement — which you have helped spearhead. You. Are. Awe-inspiring.”
A number of high-profile SAG-AFTRA members made appearances, including Margot Robbie, John Cho, Kal Penn, Jon Cryer, Jean Smart, Helen Hunt, Ever Carradine and others.
Strike captain Terry Wilkerson’s speech was a crowd favorite. Leaning over the podium, he called on the AMPTP to “Do right by your shareholders. Do right by the fans ... But most of all, do what’s right in your
heart ... and give us a f***ing deal!”
This item was originally featured in the SAG-AFTRA fall/winter 2023 magazine issue.