There will not be an Academy Awards party hosted by the United Talent Agency this year, according to Variety. The agency has announced that, in protest of President Donald Trump’s decision to ban travel from seven middle eastern countries, it is canceling the celebration.
Trump has placed a ban on travel that is to last 90 days for people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, which prevents citizens of these countries from coming to the States in the meantime, according to CNN. The ban expands restrictions put in place by President Obama in 2015 and 2016, and Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary, said that Trump used the Obama administration’s list of restricted countries as a basis for the decision, said CNN.
The order and its implementation have caused extensive public controversy, and the UTA is adding its name to the list of dissenters. In lieu of the Academy Awards party, the organization is to donate to the American Civil Liberties Union and the International Rescue Committee. The agency has pledged to give $250,000. The cancellation and redirection of funds is the agency’s way of showing disapproval on behalf of the creative community, Variety wrote.
UTA’s CEO, Jeremy Zimmer, released a statement saying that a multitude of expressions by people from all over the globe makes America, America.
The organization will have a rally before the Academy Awards on Feb. 24, which will call for free expression and ideas. Many Hollywood stars and creative workers have taken a stance against Trump’s policies. Among them is Asghar Farhadi. Farhadi is a filmmaker from Iran with a nomination for an Oscar. However, he will not be attending the awards, in order to protest Trump’s action. He said that he was honored by the UTA’s resolution.
UTA will also fundraise for ACLU as an effort to gain further support from others in the creative community.
