Hollywood star Richard Gere joins SAG-AFTRA strike picket line in NYC as protests continue
Hollywood star Richard Gere joins SAG-AFTRA strike picket line in NYC as protests continue
Hollywood star Richard Gere took part in the SAG-AFTRA strike event in NYC on Thursday.
The Hollywood star, 73, dressed casually as he showed his support at the Warner Bros Building strike line.
Richard held a large sign that read, “Writers Guild of America East Stands With SAG-AFTRA.”
He opted for a relaxed light gray T-shirt, jeans and comfortable sneakers for the outing.
The Pretty Woman star wore dark shades to shield his eyes from the sun and wore a navy blue jacket in his hands.
Taking a stand: Hollywood star Richard Gere took part in the SAG-AFTRA strike event in NYC on Thursday
Big name: The Hollywood star, 73, dressed casually as he showed his support at the Warner Bros Building strike line
The ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike began on July 14 and is the latest of Hollywood’s ongoing labor disputes.
The WGA strike, with writers crossing the picket line, has been going on since early May.
It is the first time since 1980 that actors have entered into a labor dispute in America and for the first time that both actors and writers have gone on strike at the the same time since 1960.
During the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, entering its twenty-sixth day of protests, many well-known actors have seen their solidarity with striking actors by taking one (or more) of the following actions: expressing support for the strikes; joining picket lines in LA, New York City; and donating/distributing water bottles and/or food to the picketers.
Below the famous names who participated in the Los Angeles or New York City picket lines include Jason Sudeikis, Susan Sarandon, Vanessa Hudgens, Mandy Moore, Logan Lerman, America Ferrera, and Josh Gad, just to name a few.
British actors’ union Equity held rallies in London and Manchester on 21 July in support of SAG-AFTRA Strike.
Below the famous names attending the Equity Rally in London include Brian Cox, Jim Carter, Hayley Atwell, David Oyelowo and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton, to name a few.
Support: Richard held a large sign that read: ‘Writers Guild of America East Stands With SAG-AFTRA’
Outfit: The Pretty Woman star wore dark shades to shield his eyes from the sun and wore a navy blue jacket in his hands
SAG-AFTRA said in a statement: ‘We are living in a historic hour, as we fight to secure a groundbreaking contract the likes of which we have not seen in over 60 years.
‘It was 1960 when we last went on strike together with the WGA and reached pension and health insurance schemes and remainders. Our future depends on not accepting anything less drastic in this negotiation.
“With the advent of subscription and ad-supported streaming video on demand and AI, we must once again stand strong in solidarity and demand a fair contract that reflects the value of our work in those new business models and protects our members from digital exploitation.
“Our strike could become the catalyst for a historic cultural shift across all industries, where making money and doing the right thing for employees are no longer mutually exclusive, but go hand in hand and redefine the meaning of success!”