SAG-AFTRA Strike News: Chicago Solidarity Walk Thursday

The “double strike” of SAG-AFTRA and The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is in full swing, and members of all unions are taking to the picket lines across the country. Any and all Chicagoans can be a part of the effort by participating in the momentous Chicago Local Solidarity Walk and Rally this Thursday, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Central. Whether you’re a union member or not, whether you’re an actor or screenwriter or not, you are encouraged to attend and support.

“I want to personally invite you all to walk with us as we rally for what’s right and fight for a more fair and equitable future for the entertainment industry,” SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local President Charles Andrew Gardner declared to SCREEN this evening. “Hope to see you there!”

As the title of the event suggests, this all-important Solidarity Walk is about unity across all unions. Union members and leaders from IATSE, Teamsters, the Chicago Teachers Union, and other organizations will be in on hand to support and sound off. Among the SAG-AFTRA and WGA leaders expected to attend are the aforementioned Gardner and WGA Chicago Strike Captains Brett Neveu and Michael Gilio.

Here are specific details for Thursday…

From SAG-AFTRA: “Please join your Chicago Local brothers and sisters in solidarity as we walk from Wrigley Square at Millennium Park to rally at Buckingham Fountain! We are walking for our rights, for our livelihoods and for our futures!”

WALK and check-in starts at 201 E. Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, NE Corner of Millennium Park in Wrigley Square at noon.

RALLY and program at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park will begin around 1:30 p.m.

Click here for any additional details or updates on the Solidarity Walk.

What Are SAG-AFTRA Members Fighting For Here?

Simply put, SAG-AFTRA members are demanding better pay and increased safeguarding around AI rights, leaving Hollywood with a second industry walkout amid the ongoing writers’ strikes.

Here is Guardians of the Galaxy star and DePaul Chicago alum Sean Gunn speaking on the issues with AI and streaming platforms for SAG-AFTRA…

Support from A-listers throughout Hollywood has been peppering the headlines. Big screen superstars such as Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Ben Stiller are among the many artists urging the union to stand strong to ensure better compensation and address concerns about artificial intelligence.

Here is comedy great Kristen Wiig speaking to the press earlier today from the picket lines…

And so Hollywood is at a standstill as SAG-AFTRA joins the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in the first “double strike” in over 60 years. For the record, the other double strike in U.S. history took place in 1960, when the Screen Actors Guild, led by Ronald Reagan, went on a strike that lasted six weeks.

Visit sagaftrastrike.org to find detailed information about the strike, updates and helpful FAQs. In addition to attending the Solidarity Walk this Thursday, please be sure to join the conversation on social media using #SAGAFTRAstrong, #SAGAFTRAstrike and #Power2Performers.

Check back here at SCREEN for the latest news as SAG-AFTRA and WGA forge ahead. You can also click right here to subscribe to our weekly email newsletter.