In response to the Russian “War of Aggression” against Ukraine, SAG-AFTRA released a statement Friday night.
The actors union urged donations to humanitarian groups, and expressed support for people in Russia protesting the unprovoked invasion. Read the statement below:
“In these dark and uncertain times, with war returning to the European continent, SAG-AFTRA stands in solidarity with our colleagues in Ukraine, our fellow union members of the Cultural Workers Union of Ukraine, and all those suffering the effects of this war of aggression.
“It is heartbreaking to see the stories of civilians coping with the loss of family members, friends, homes and livelihoods. Watching the humanitarian crisis unfold, it’s easy to feel despair and helplessness. But if you wish to help, there are organizations, including UNICEF and many others, that use your donations to aid those impacted by this war.
“We insist that all nations recognize and respect the freedom of the press and ensure that our members and journalists of all nations working in the war zone are kept safe from harm.
“The union also stands with the brave Russian anti-war protestors who are risking their own freedom to call for an end to the violence. SAG-AFTRA fervently hopes for a swift return to peace in the region.
Solidarity always.”
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Beginning with missile launches and tanks rolling relentlessly, Russia’s premeditated military action began in east Ukraine on February 24. This occurred after months of speculation about Russia’s intentions after it massed tens of thousands of troops on Ukraine’s border.
The aggression has disrupted private and commercial activity across the country, including the Ukrainian film and television industry, “The film and TV industry in Ukraine had just started to open up, just started to work with international productions, build up a system, and now everything is shutting down,” producer Nebojsa Taraba told The Hollywood Reporter.
Taraba was a lead producer on the crime series Silence, a Croatian-Russian-Ukrainian-German co-production that shot in Ukraine and has sold to HBO Europe across Central and Eastern Europe.
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