Marvel star Tessa Thompson, UnsafeKendrick Sampson and more have encouraged the film industry to cut ties with the police.
The actors, who have mobilized for social change after George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis and subsequent protests, joined with Variety and Black Lives Matter co-founders Patrisse Cullors and Melina Abdullah recently wrote an open letter to Hollywood.
In it, they insisted that it was time for the industry “to recognize its role and take responsibility for repairing the damage and being a proactive part of the change.”
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Related: Lennie James and Stephen Graham among the stars demanding an end to systemic racism on television and in movies.
“We demand something better. Show that Black Lives Matter is important to Hollywood by taking bold steps to affirm, defend and invest in black lives,” it said.
“Follow the examples of the Minneapolis School District, the Denver Public Schools, the University of Minnesota and many other institutions to get rid of the police system and invest in the black community.
“We Demand that Hollywood: DIVE FROM THE POLICE, DIVE FROM ANTI BLACK CONTENT, INVEST IN OUR CAREERS, INVEST IN ANTIRACISTA CONTENT, INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY,” the statement continued, before directing readers to Sampson’s BLD PWR organization. for your full list of demands.
Related: Netflix launches Black Lives Matter collection to highlight stories about the Black experience
The message was supported by more than 300 black artists and executives, including the Thompson MCU and Westworld co-stars Chadwick Boseman, Anthony Mackie, Michael B Jordan, Danai Gurira, Thandie Newton, and Lena Waithe, plus American horror storyBilly Porter and Angela Bassett.
Unsafe They also created Issa Rae, Zoë Kravitz, Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis.
“Hollywood has a privilege as a creative industry to imagine and create,” the letter continued. “We have a significant influence on culture and politics. We have the ability to use our influence to imagine and create a better world.
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Related: Marvel star Anthony Mackie was praised for Black Lives Matter’s “powerful” and emotional interview
“However, historically and currently, Hollywood encourages the epidemic of police violence and anti-black culture,” the letter explains, alleging that entertainment executives have “directly and indirectly inflicted harm and oppression” on black communities by “allowing that white people control and oppress the narratives that affirm black lives. “
“We as black people bring immeasurable cultural and economic value to the industry. We are also suffering the oppression perpetuated by this industry. We have every right to demand this change.”
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, visit their official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the British anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and to the Unite Families & Friends campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in the police, prison and psychiatric custody.
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