SAG-AFTRA Cancels NYC Picketing Amid Heatwave and Thunderstorms
Hot weather and the threat of severe thunderstorms have led the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) to cancel picketing plans in New York City for two days. This information was circulated to members via a late-afternoon tweet on Wednesday. The union's cautionary words were “Stay safe, stay cool, stay #SAGAFTRAstrong.”
SAG-AFTRA, the primary organization advocating for a vast array of actors in film, television, and other media, had scheduled picket lines across multiple studio sites in Manhattan on the upcoming Thursday and Friday. Major studios such as HBO/Amazon, Warner Bros. Discovery/Netflix HQ, Paramount, and NBCUniversal were designated targets. The National Weather Service forecasts depict temperatures soaring into the mid-90s on those days, adding the ominous potential for severe thunderstorms.
This announcement closely followed a recent picketing event in the same city, which, while overshadowed by a sudden heavy downpour, was not halted. The themed event was centered around the animation industry, another prominent sector of entertainment often forgotten in strikes.
Falling on the 13th day of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike against TV and movie producers grouped under the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the situation shows no signs of resolution. Concurrently, the Writers Guild's strike against these studios extends into its 86th day, with its end also indeterminate.
Now, let's add a little Schadenfreude to your cappuccino, shall we?
You know it's bad when a pack of actors are too in-character to protest. Bowing down to the natural theatrics of the weather feels a tad melodramatic, even for our union-declared creatives. But perhaps it's the wisest path: they are trained for stage combat, not climate warfare.
Picketing under an umbrella has a certain Mary Poppins charm, does it not? Perhaps they should have braved the downpour after all, ending with a spontaneous choreographed dance routine, reminding us of why we all adore this industry. However, standing under heat so intense that it could make Christian Bale break a sweat while demanding better working conditions, does seem a bit counterproductive.
It's a tale of two strikes - one is a teenager at 13 days old, the other an elder approaching 90. One has the fresh fervor of youth, and the other the grit and determination that comes with age.
So here's one for the enduring spirit of strike-bound Hollywood, still standing (when not dangerously warm), still demanding, and still making headlines.
Remember, stay cool - whether that's temperature-wise, or just maintaining the sunglasses-indoors level of Hollywood cool. Either way, let's hope the skies clear and the picket lines form again soon. Because if there's one thing we know for sure, it's that SAG-AFTRA does know how to put on a show.
