Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1367665
T he pandemic has been devastating to the creative community, and bringing back the once-vital film and theater industry to New York is a multi-pronged effort. "We need a recovery that brings back the heart and soul of this city," said New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We need to bring back our arts and culture." Executive Vice President and New York Local President Rebecca Damon joined government, arts and labor leaders at a Feb. 24 discussion that included a report by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts and entertainment sector in New York and the steps being taken to swing back the pendulum. "New York is a cultural hub of our nation, and it's also one of the most richly artistic and creative cities in the world. It takes a lot of people doing a lot of different jobs to build that culture every single day. Without rebuilding the creative systems, New York and this country will not make a full recovery," Damon said at the event. Damon, along with union members Lisa Fischer and Adrian Martinez (see photo on page 26), appeared at a March 29 press conference with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who outlined federal assistance available to the arts, entertainment and media industry. The three took the opportunity to thank Schumer and Congress for working with SAG-AFTRA to create and continue programs that have protected our members and the entertainment industry throughout the pandemic. On April 13, Damon and National Board member Michelle Hurd joined de Blasio for a virtual press conference to announce the opening of a new vaccination site for film, television and theater workers in Times Square. Damon then joined de Blasio for the grand opening of the site with fellow member Lin-Manuel Miranda. In related news, SAG-AFTRA member activism was instrumental in a campaign to increase COBRA subsidies for entertainment workers in New York. The state increased funding from $110,000 to $2 million and extended the program through July 1, 2022. This is in addition to the national COBRA subsidy provided by the American Rescue Plan. Bringing the Arts Back to New York S AG-AFTRA is joining its sister unions to call on Congress to take tangible steps to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. The unions — which include Directors Guild of America, Actors' Equity Association, the American Federation of Musicians and numerous other arts, entertainment and media unions affiliated with the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO — are putting forth an inclusion policy agenda that they are urging lawmakers to adopt. "Conversation, perspective and information broaden when a fully diverse point of view is in the room — in all the rooms. Solutions can be achieved when the contribution of different voices are included and acted upon," said SAG-AFTRA National Board member Michelle Hurd, who took part in a Feb. 11 announcement of the joint effort. "Equality and inclusion can only happen when they are given the attention they deserve, and we can only safeguard these changes through strong legislation." The agenda seeks to support middle-class careers through passing legislation like the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, the AM-FM Act and reforming Section 512 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The policy agenda also centers on increasing funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities and Corporation for Public Broadcasting to support the opportunities needed to create wide and diverse talent pipelines. The policy agenda cites Illinois, New Jersey and New York as examples of states that have enacted tax incentives to encourage diverse hiring in film, television and live entertainment. Hurd stressed the importance of representation on screen and the powerful role it plays in inspiring the next generation. As a child in a mixed-race family, her father encouraged her to watch Star Trek, where Nichelle Nichols was, at the time, one of the few Black women on television playing a character with responsibility and status. As Raffi on Star Trek: Picard, Hurd hopes she can inspire today's young people. "I want to make sure all the brown and Black girls and boys see they are still present and important in the future," she said. 28 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2021 | sagaftra.org National Board member Michelle Hurd THEO & JULIET PHOTOGRAPHY From left, Actors' Equity Association Vice President Ira Mont, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President and New York Local President Rebecca Damon. SAG-AFTRA Calls for Inclusion-Oriented Legislation