Southern California religious leaders joined forces with striking Hollywood writers and actors outside Warner Bros. studios in Burbank on Thursday, Sept. 7. The rally and prayer service showcased the interdenominational leaders’ support for the ongoing strikes, with approximately 40 leaders marching alongside workers.
The group of religious leaders included representatives from various organizations such as the Hollywood Prayer Network, Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice, All Saints Church in Pasadena, Mount Hollywood United Church of Christ, and Temple Ner Tamid in Downey.
According to Karen Covell, the founding director of the Hollywood Prayer Network, the event aimed to bridge the gap between Hollywood and Christians. Covell said, “The Christians don’t always like the morals and content that come out of Hollywood, and Hollywood doesn’t always understand Christians.”
Guillermo Torres, the director of programming for the Los Angeles-based Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice, highlighted the rally’s purpose grounded in faith. “There is a lot of suffering,” Torres expressed. He emphasized that the lack of a contract reflects inhumanity on the studios’ part and stated, “We, as faith representatives, believe that work is sacred. We want to amplify their call for dignity and justice.”
As of Thursday, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike has persisted for 129 days. The WGA represents 11,500 screenwriters who argue that their average incomes have significantly decreased due to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers’ reduced residuals share. Additionally, writers want AI to be used solely as a research tool or to facilitate script ideas, not as a replacement for their work.
The strike led by SAG-AFTRA, a labor union representing around 160,000 media professionals, actors, and entertainers, has lasted for 55 days. One of SAG-AFTRA’s concerns regarding AI revolves around the unauthorized replication of their likeness without proper compensation.
Dereck Andrade, a SAG-AFTRA member who organized the interdenominational picket, emphasized how the strike’s consequences directly impact the affected individuals. Actors and writers are struggling to pay their bills and are even at risk of losing their homes.
As the strikes continue, religious organizations such as churches and temples are providing support by offering canned food, clothing, and other necessities to those affected.
Karen Covell expressed her hope for a quick resolution to the labor actions. Although she initially expected the strikes to be over by August, it is now anticipated that they may continue until the end of the year.
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