LOS ANGELES (AP) – Rev. Al Sharpton on Sunday threatened larger protests against Hollywood and the Academy Awards if the ceremony doesn’t improve diversity among its top nominees.
Sharpton led dozens of protesters who marched and chanted for diversity in the film industry just blocks away from the venue where the Oscars will be handed out Sunday.
“This will be the last night of an all-white Oscars,” Sharpton said, promising larger protests that will encompass several days if Hollywood and future Oscars ceremonies don’t recognize diverse actors and filmmakers. The 88th annual Academy Awards have been criticized for nominating an all-white slate of acting nominees for the second year in a row, and also failing to nominate the directors or black cast members of “Straight Outta Compton” and “Creed.”
Sharpton has called audiences to boycott of the ceremony, and Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and director Spike Lee have said they would not attend Sunday’s ceremony, which is being hosted by Chris Rock.
Some of the signs held by protesters included the slogans, “Hollywood Must do Better” and “Shame on You.”