Unfortunately, even though the issue of gun reform in the United States is best discussed by experts who know the ins and outs of the laws and government, the topic is something that can’t be dismissed by studios and Hollywood figures, as we’ve seen mass shootings occur in multiple movie theaters over the years, for example. And in light of the upcoming US Presidential Election, more than 100 celebrities have signed an open letter to various studios hoping they’ll reconsider supporting candidates that have NRA backing.
Amy Schumer, Ben Platt, Rosie O’Donnell, Julianne Moore, and Issa Rae are among the more than 100 celebrities to sign an open letter, crafted with help from the group, Guns Down America, to urge studios such as Netflix, Universal (owned by Comcast), and Warner Bros. (owned by AT&T) to reconsider supporting candidates that receive money from the controversial NRA (National Rifle Association), the group that has incredible political power and has been on the front-line to prevent gun reform in recent years.
The letter reads, in part, “Over the last several months, large American companies have urged policymakers to enact bipartisan legislation to address this epidemic. Some of you have joined these public calls, but we believe that there’s more you can do.”
Igor Volsky, executive director of Guns Down America, said that the idea for the open letter came about after personal letters were sent to the aforementioned studios, written by families of victims of gun violence. However, those earlier letters received no response from the studios, so Guns Down America reached out to the celebrities to help raise awareness.
You can read the full letter below (via Variety):
An Open Letter To Hollywood Executives
We, the undersigned, are actors, producers, and industry creatives concerned about the epidemic of gun violence sweeping our country and are joining forces to do everything we can to help build safer communities for us all.
Over the last several months, large American companies have urged policymakers to enact bipartisan legislation to address this epidemic. Some of you have joined these public calls, but we believe that there’s more you can do.
The annual awards season shines a spotlight on our industry and provides you with the opportunity to take direct action that will save lives all across this country. That’s why we are calling on all major Hollywood studios to:
- End political contributions to candidates who take money from the NRA and vote against gun reform. From 2016 to 2020, the political action committees associated with the studios behind this year’s Best Picture Oscar nominees donated a combined total of $4.2 million to NRA-backed lawmakers. These lawmakers’ opposition to gun reform is literally putting our audiences in danger and we are urging you to consider a politician’s position on gun reform when political contributions in the future.
- Use your political clout and leverage in Congress to actively lobby for gun reform. Keeping everyone safe should be a top corporate priority for all of us.
- Support gun violence survivors and gun violence intervention programs to help reduce everyday gun violence all across this country.
Since the federal government has failed to pass reforms that raise the standard for gun ownership in America, our industry has a responsibility to act. We hope that you do.
Signed,
Nick Adams • Zuri Adele • Mikko Alanne • Wade Allain-Marcus • Ted Allen • Tala Ashe • Britt Baron • Willam Belli • Greg Berlanti • Michael Bonfiglio • Bradley Bredeweg • Yvette Nicole Brown • Kay Cannon • Emily Chang • Cindy Chu • Jason P. Clark • Alan Cumming • Emily Deschanel • Chelsea Devantez • Kerri Doherty • Billy Eichner Joshua Hale Fialkov • Frances Fisher • John Fugelsang • David Futernick • Noah Galvin • Roxane Gay Joanna Going • Ari Graynor • Chelsea Handler • Adam Hann-Byrd • Daryl Hannah • Abraham Higginbotham Amy Hoggart • Joselyn Hughes • Emma Hunton • Joanna Johnson • Max Joseph • Kevin Kane • Gloria Calderon Kellett • Michael Kelly • Andrew Kimmel • Kate Lambert • Josh Lamon • Amanda Lasher Franklin Leonard • Jane Levy • Jeff Loveness • Doug Mand • Melina Matsoukas • Eric McCormack • Kevin McHale Austin P. McKenzie • Danny Mears • Alyssa Milano • Mary B.Miller • Kelly Minster • Matthew Modine Julianne Moore • Natalie Morales • Rosie O’Donnell • Tricia O’Kelley • Kerry O’Malley • Mark V. Olsen • Yvonne Orji Charkyluv Osborne • Peter Paige • Sharron Paul • Jennifer Paz • Melissa Jo Peltier • Josh Pence • Chelsea Peretti Jim Piddock • Ben Platt • Jonah Platt • Josh Raby • Issa Rae • Anthony Rapp • Peyton Reed • Alan Resnick • Patricia Riggen • Sebastian Roché • Natasha Rothwell • Kendrick Sampson • Kristen Schaal • Will Scheffer Chris Schleicher • Amy Schumer • Sarah Gertrude Shapiro • David Slack • Hal Sparks • Abigail Spencer Amber Spillman • Scott Squires • Caissie St. Onge • April Stewart • Tara Strong • Zac Stuart-Pontier Danny Tamberelli • Jenna Ushkowitz • Eric Van Wagenen • Michaela Watkins • Ben Wexler • Sherry Xu Sasheer Zamata • Danny Zuker • Daphne Zuniga