Tag Archives: Protest

Listen Up! Campaign Gains International Support

At an advance screening for Lionsgate-released film “Step Up All In,” Hong Kong campaign supporters distributed leaflets to moviegoers in both English and Cantonese that described how the company is offshoring music jobs on U.S. taxpayers’ dime by accepting millions in tax subsidies. Photos & images: Courtesy Listen Up!

Activist and labor groups in Hong Kong show support for American musicians calling for Lionsgate to stop offshoring film scoring jobs on U.S. taxpayers’ dime

Hong Kong-based Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior (SACOM) and several other Chinese activist groups have announced support of the American Federation of Musician’s Listen Up! campaign calling to end offshoring film scoring jobs.

At an advance screening for “Step Up All In,” the fifth release in the motion picture franchise, Hong Kong campaign supporters distributed leaflets to moviegoers in both English and Cantonese that described how Lionsgate Entertainment is offshoring music jobs on U.S. taxpayers’ dime by accepting millions in tax subsidies. Continue reading →

Labor News: L.A. Labor Unites Against Walmart

Local 47 officers among 43 arrested in the largest civil disobedience action in the mega-chain’s history

Surrounded by about 100 police officers in riot gear and a helicopter circling above, more than 50 Walmart workers and supporters were arrested in downtown Los Angeles the night of Nov. 7 as they sat in the street protesting the corporation’s low-wage poverty policies.

Photo by Linda A. Rapka
More than a dozen Local 47 members joined about 500 activists Nov. 7 in a protest outside the Chinatown Walmart. Among the AFM contingent were Lynn and Maurice Grants, Alan Busteed, Vice President John Acosta, Joseph Hancock, Robin Lasley, Secretary/Treasurer Gary Lasley, Neil Samples, organizer Ethan Harris, Naomi Sato, and EMD Administrator Gordon Grayson.

Brandishing bright-blue Local 47 activist T-shirts, more than a dozen members joined a crowd of about 500 including labor supporters, Walmart workers, and clergy and participated in the demonstration. Those who refused police orders to clear the street after their permit expired were arrested without incident.

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Musicians Protest Marvel Entertainment in Cleveland

Protesters want the studio to keep jobs in the USA

CLEVELAND, OH (May 22, 2013) — Tomorrow at noon, members of the American Federation of Musicians will form an informational picket line outside a location shoot for “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” to protest Marvel Entertainment’s outsourcing of musical score work to Europe.

Musicians are outraged that rather than employ local musicians, Marvel pockets millions of taxpayer dollars from U.S. tax credits meant to keep work in the United States and instead hires foreign musicians on the cheap.
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Musicians to Protest Marvel Entertainment Today

Recording musicians want studio to keep jobs in the USA

HOLLYWOOD, CA (April 23, 2013) — Today at 10:30 a.m. members of American Federation of Musicians Local 47 will form an informational picket line outside the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood to speak out against Marvel Entertainment’s outsourcing of musical score work to Europe.

Recording musicians are upset that rather than employ local musicians, Marvel pockets millions of taxpayer dollars from U.S. tax credits meant to keep work in the United States and instead hires foreign musicians on the cheap. Continue reading →