Netflix employees staged a walkout on Wednesday in protest of the steaming service’s support for, and airing of, Dave Chappelle‘s recent comedy special “The Closer.”
As trans activists shouted “trans lives matter,” counter protestors chanted “we like jokes,” and “Dave is funny” outside the Netflix headquarters in LA.
Another activist said trans people should be given raises at Netflix. “Today on this full moon in Aires it is time to make a change,” the activist said. “It’s time to release the old, and break in new. What needs to happen, if the CEO at Netflix wants to make it right with trans people, he will give trans employees a raise right now. Give ’em a raise right now for their hard work, for their hard labor, and for putting their trauma up for the world to see.”
This comes after weeks of back-and-forth between trans activist employees at Netflix and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos. Trans activist employees were displeased with Dave Chappelle’s latest special, while Netflix backed the comedian and the special, until Wednesday.
The walkout was planned by activists who also had a list of demands. Those employees who are staging the walkout stated as their demands: “We want the company to adopt measures in the areas of content investment, employee relations and safety, and harm reduction, all of which are necessary to avoid future instances of platforming transphobia and hate speech,” according to The Verge.
This Wednesday, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos will be presented with firm asks/demands from Netflix employees that we will also be sharing with members of the press & rally attendees. Cross-cultural solidarity is an indomitable force that moves all of us forward. Come and join us. pic.twitter.com/cZbZFLBEfG
— Ashlee Marie Preston (@AshleeMPreston) October 18, 2021
Sarandos walked back the comments, saying that while he doesn’t regret the special, or working with Chappelle, he should have been more sensitive in his stance with employees.
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