Martin Sheen leads The West Wing cast reunion for National Day of Solidarity amid SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes

Martin Sheen led the way as the cast of The West Wing reunited on the picket line outside the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.

The 83-year-old actor, who played President Josiah Bartlet in creator Aaron Sorkin’s story about a fictional White House, was joined by his peers in the popular political drama, including Sorkin.

In his speech, he introduced costars Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, Dulé Hill, Richard Schiff, Janel Moloney, Joshua Malina, and Mary McCormack.

The series ran for 155 episodes on NBC for seven seasons, earning 26 Emmy wins in that time.

Referring to his time on the show, Sheen said, “I spent the time from 1999 to the fall of 2006 as a member of an extraordinary troupe called The West Wing, and I was at least affectionately known in some circles as the acting president of the United States.

Joshua Malina, Bradley Whitford, Richard Schiff, Aaron Sorkin and Dulé Hill were among the cast and crew present at the demonstration

“When the show ended in 2006, I was just as eager to be known in some circles as the former acting president of the United States, and I am proud to have been part of that extraordinary company, most of whom are here today. .’

Sheen spoke to the crowd about how he’s been a union member since 1961 EW.

“That was the same year I got married,” Sheen said. “Obviously I have a penchant for unions.”

In his speech, Sheen said, “The Irish tell the story of a man who arrives at the gates of heaven and asks to be let in and St. Peter says, ‘Of course! Just show us your scars.’

The man says, ‘I have no scars. Saint Peter says: ‘What a pity. Was there nothing worth fighting for?’

The revered actor said that ‘this union has found something worth fighting for, and it’s very expensive.

If this were not the case, we would question its value. And so now we are called to support the union, support the leadership, and stand together for the long haul, and hold on to that as a stamp!’

Sheen said workers in a “dangerously divided” country “can come to meetings like this and we are inspired because we see the effective union work and unity.”

The West Wing ran for 155 episodes on NBC for seven seasons and earned 26 Emmy wins in that time

In his speech, Sheen introduced costars Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, Dulé Hill, Richard Schiff, Janel Moloney, Joshua Malina and Mary McCormack

The group behind NBC’s long-running political drama posted along with signs

Tuesday’s demonstration marked National Day of Solidarity, with workers across countless industries uniting at the picket line

Sheen said of the show’s cast and crew, “I’m proud to be part of that extraordinary company, most of whom are here today”

Sheen spoke to the crowd about how he’s been a union member since 1961

Sheen posed with costar Schiff and a SAG-AFTRA T-shirt during the demonstration

Sheen had a laugh with Hill and Schiff as the cast reunited at the event

Sheen played President Josiah Bartlet in Aaron Sorkin’s account of a fictional White House

Sheen was nominated for six Emmy Awards for his acting in the series

Tuesday’s demonstration marked National Day of Solidarity, in which SAG-AFTRA and WGA will join forces “with the AFL-CIO and its affiliates from across the country and from all sectors,” it said. SAG-AFTRA.

“In this Summer of Strikes,” said SAG-AFTRA, “working Americans everywhere are fighting for fair contracts, better compensation, safe working conditions and protection against encroaching technology.”

It added, “Together, we’re showing corporate America that we win when we fight!”