AwesomenessTV is joining UTA’s immigration rally on Oscar weekend and will close its offices early in order to accommodate employees who wish to attend the event, the company announced Friday.
In a memo to staff, AwesomenessTV founder Brian Robbins and president Brett Bouttier said: “We invite you to use your voice, activate your social media, and contribute to the conversation. On Friday, February 24th, we will be closing our offices early so you can participate on your own terms, in your own way.”
The company will also provide transportation to UTA’s offices in Beverly Hills, where their “United Voices” rally will take place.
“In today’s political climate, civil rights are being compromised and our creators and global audiences are facing obstacles as they pursue their dreams,” the AwesomenessTV memo continued. “We understand the power of our collective influence and know that together we can create change.”
The UTA rally, a response to President Donald Trump’s travel ban, will aim to express “the creative community’s growing concern with anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States and its potential chilling effect on the global exchange of ideas and freedom of expression.”
Read the full AwesomenessTV memo below:
Dear Awesomeness,
As many of you read earlier this week, the talent agency UTA will be closing their offices early on Friday, February 24th to host “United Voices,” a rally that aims to “express the creative community’s growing concern with anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States.” They have canceled their annual Oscar party and instead will be donating to the ACLU and IRC.
In today’s political climate, civil rights are being compromised and our creators and global audiences are facing obstacles as they pursue their dreams. We understand the power of our collective influence and know that together we can create change.
We support UTA organizing this important event, and we want to offer you the same opportunity to join this peaceful protest. We invite you to use your voice, activate your social media, and contribute to the conversation. On Friday, February 24th, we will be closing our offices early so you can participate on your own terms, in your own way. We will be organizing transportation to make it easy. More details to come shortly.
In addition, we will be making a donation to the American Civil Liberties Union and International Rescue Committee.
Sincerely,
Brian and Brett