Michael Shannon leads stars speaking out at SAG strike rally

EXCLUSIVE: Michael Shannon, Melissa Joan Hart and F. Murray Abraham lead defiant protest against Hollywood studios as actors flock to New York for SAG-AFTRA strike rally: ‘Let’s take these clowns down’

• Star-studded ‘Rock the City for a Fair Contract’ rally was held in Times Square
• Famous actors joined union members for day 12 of the historic strike 
• READ MORE: The net worths of celebrities who are leading SAG-AFTRA strikes that have brought Hollywood to a standstill

Hollywood stars such as Michael Shannon, F. Murray Abraham and Melissa Joan Hart spoke passionately about their decision to stand in solidarity with fellow union members at the SAG-AFTRA rally held in New York.

Tuesday morning saw members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists come together for a star-studded ‘Rock the City for a Fair Contract’ rally on day 12 of the ongoing strike action.

The likes of Brendan Fraser, Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston, Steve Buscemi, Christian Slater, Matt Bomer, and Chloe Grace Moretz were in attendance as they took turns to encourage the crowd with rousing speeches.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com during the rally, Boardwalk Empire star Michael Shannon shared a defiant message of support to union members as he stated: ‘We can take these clowns down, they’re nothing. They don’t know how to do anything, they just take all our money and rob us blind. We’re going to beat them.’

Hollywood stars such as Michael Shannon spoke passionately about their decision to stand in solidarity with fellow union members at the SAG-AFTRA rally in New York

Actors across the country began to strike on July 14 after negotiations over their demand for higher wages were not met by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

Explaining why he believed the strikes are so important, Scarface legend F. Murray Abraham stated: ‘It’s important for America. The union is not asking for anything that no one else should have. Everyone should have healthcare, am I right? The union is fighting for protection for everybody. 

‘There wouldn’t have to be striking if everyone had a chance in this rich wonderful country to make a living, without working two jobs a piece. Unions want respect for the human being, for the human worker. It’s about respect. It’s about humanity right now.’

The White Lotus star added: ‘People think all actors are rich, we’re working people. And we support many other industries. Do these guys, and it’s mostly guys, who run the industry really need $100,000 a day? I mean, come on. Give me a break!’

Actress Melissa Joan Hart revealed she was happy to join the strike action in New York while in town on business, explaining that there wasn’t as much chance to show solidarity where she lives in Nashville.

The Sabrina The Teenage Witch star explained the importance of the strike as she stated: ‘People seem to be confused about it and think that this is for the 1 per cent that are making good money, but it’s really for the 99 per cent that aren’t. 

‘In general workers around the world right now are feeling pressed. We’re very visible and it’s important for us to be here fighting for everybody.’

The Drive Me Crazy star then admitted she believed the strike would end with studios agreeing to a fairer deal as she added: ‘I feel like we have the right leadership, we’re in the right position and I think that we are in the right. We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t think we were doing the right thing. 

Scarface legend F. Murray Abraham made it clear that he believes ‘the union is not asking for anything that members should have’

Actress Rachel Zegler admitted the threat of AI and low wages could ruin the careers of young creatives, while Scandal star Tony Goldwyn agreed that it was a fight for future of the industry

‘We have to protect our union and our industry, which has been taken over by corporations. Hollywood no longer runs Hollywood… we need to make sure that everyone that works in our industry is paid fairly.’

Scandal star Tony Goldwyn explained why the fight taking place in Hollywood was important for the future of the entertainment industry.

He told DailyMail.com: ‘We’re in a sea change not only in our industry but in our whole world, the relationship between management and labor. I just think it’s really important to stand up and talk about worker fairness.

‘If we don’t get a fair contract, then future creatives will not be able to become actors or writers and the content that people love to watch is going to disappear… We have to work out what’s fair for everybody.’

West Side Story star Rachel Zegler also spoke about the importance of fighting for the future livelihood of creatives as she explained: ‘I’m only 22 years old and I’ve only made a handful of films. Only two of them have even come out. It’s scary to think my career could be over before it even started.’ 

The actress added: ‘We are here in support of the WGA and the below-the-line workers who are also out of work while we are out of work. So we hope that the people who are in power can listen to the people who are less power and can pay us what we are owed and also guarantee that our careers will not be completely overtaken by AI.’ 

Nashville-based actress Melissa Joan Hart revealed she was happy to join the strike action while in New York for business

And Just Like That! actor Christopher Jackson and Jessica Chastain posed for pictures during the rally

And Just Like That! actor Christopher Jackson pleaded: ‘We have to come back to the table and find an agreement that works for everyone cause this ain’t working.

‘Everyone that is a member of this union is working class. We all go out to work every day and everyone sacrifices time with our families to pour ourselves at great risk into this work that we do. We are not asking for anything more than an equitable agreement.’

Elsewhere, Suits star Wendell Pierce explained that showing ‘unity and solidarity’ was his reason for attending.  

‘I’m a union man, all the way,’ he stated. ‘We are not for anything that isn’t justifiably hours. We’re just asking for a living wage, while people are making billions and billions of dollars.’

The actor continued: ‘We are here representing our 160,000 union members who are working class folks, living from paycheck to paycheck. Who have to earn a certain amount to get healthcare. That’s what we are all here fighting for. We’re in for a fight but we’re ready.’

Orange Is The New Black star Lea DeLaria made it clear that the need to increase residual pay was one of the most important reasons for the strike

Actor Brendan Fraser watched on in support as stars such as Bryan Cranston gave moving speeches to the crowd

Orange Is The New Black stars Lea DeLaria and Emma Myles made it clear that the need to increase residual pay was one of the most important reasons for the strike.

Lea explained: ‘I striking for my health and pension. Eighty-seven per cent of actors can’t even afford to get their own d**n insurance from their union because the producers aren’t paying us. They’re not paying us residuals. And they haven’t put into our health and pension fund any more than they have put in for the last 40 years.’

Emma added: ‘We were told many, many times that we were the biggest show in the world, and we are consistently now getting residuals that are $0.01, $0.02 and $0.00 because there’s a cap on our residuals after five years, which means that we are not getting any residuals for season one, two, three, four, five or six. The only thing we’re getting is season seven, which we were all basically fired from at season five.’

In a statement released by the guild ahead of the rally, SAG said: ‘SAG-AFTRA is fighting to ensure its members receive their fair share of streaming revenues, increased compensation to keep pace with inflation, and an agreement that will give actors informed consent and fair pay when A.I. creates digital replicas of their performance, voice, and likeness.’

The union announced two weeks ago that its leadership had officially voted to join screenwriters in the first joint strike in more than six decades.

The ongoing strike officially began at midnight on July 14 and comes after the entertainers’ demands for higher wages and protections against artificial intelligence were not met.

It came after the collective, which represents approximately 160,000 actors and entertainers, failed to reach a deal with studios in negotiations for better pay and benefits.

Under the rules of a strike SAG-AFTRA, members are not able to film any movie or TV series, take part in any press or film premieres, or promote anything at this month’s San Diego Comic-Con.

The announcement marks the first strike for actors from film and television shows since 1980.

It is also the first time two major Hollywood unions have been on strike at the same time since 1960, when Ronald Reagan was the actors’ guild president.

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