RELEASE: NATIONAL HISPANIC MEDIA COALITION (NHMC) AND NATIONAL LATINO MEDIA COUNCIL (NLMC) PROTEST OUTSIDE PARAMOUNT PICTURES FOR THEIR LACK OF LATINO TALENT ON SCREEN AND BEHIND THE SCENES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 25, 2018

CONTACT: Alison Sotomayor

communications@nhmc.org

RELEASE: NATIONAL HISPANIC MEDIA COALITION (NHMC) AND NATIONAL LATINO MEDIA COUNCIL (NLMC) PROTEST OUTSIDE PARAMOUNT PICTURES FOR THEIR LACK OF LATINO TALENT ON SCREEN AND BEHIND THE SCENES #NoLatinosNoTickets

nhmc-paramountprotest-051HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. – In its first of a series of demonstrations against film studios that have a poor record of Latino employment, the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) and the National Latino Media Council (NLMC) held a demonstration this morning in front of Paramount Pictures. At a press conference last month, NHMC and NLMC revealed Paramount Pictures’ dismal hiring record, and the studio’s refusal to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the group after its initial meeting in June 2018 with Paramount Pictures COO Andrew Gumpert. The MOU would have detailed Paramount Pictures’ plan in solving their exclusion and lack of Latino talent with the help of NHMC and NLMC.

PICTURES: CLICK HERE.

The groups have asked the general public to boycott upcoming Paramount Picture films, and to sign their petition. NHMC plans to deliver the petition at the next demonstration against Paramount Pictures, on September 12th. The campaign is part of NHMC’s ongoing efforts to increase positive media portrayals of Latinos and increase Latino employment in media. The demonstration follows a similar March 3rd protest in Hollywood near the location of the Academy Awards, in which the goal was to bring awareness to an industry that has historically excluded Latino talent in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

tryAt the demonstration, the exclusion of Latinos at Paramount Pictures was commented on by several speakers, among them Alex Nogales, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition:

“Not a day goes by without an attack on our Latino community by the President and his minions. They don’t know us and see little, if anything, of us in film and television, film in particular. We’re absent, invisible, and because Trump talks about Latinos and immigrants in the worst of terms, branding us criminals, rapists, polluters of American culture - his supporters believe him and act on his words. Until Latinos are given the opportunity to tell our own stories, to write, direct, and act in all film, television, and streaming media produced by Hollywood, we will continue to be stereotyped, talked about, and treated in the worst of ways as we are being treated presently.”

Marissa Herrera, NHMC Action Network Member and Independent Producer, said, “It's 2018, diversity and representation are no longer just buzzwords or special programs. Latinos are an integral part of our society, our economy and spend the most on movie ticket sales per capita, yet, we STILL are underrepresented, and almost invisible, when it comes to the entertainment industry, especially in decision-making executive roles. Latinos, especially our children, need to see themselves- in roles that aren't just stereotypes but authentically share our stories. We deserve a seat at the table, and the time is now.”

“There is no question that longstanding exclusion of Latinos from movies has contributed to the current precarious situation for Latino civil rights. Paramount Pictures' refusal to partner in addressing their deplorable performance on Latino inclusion is utterly inexplicable,” said Thomas A. Saenz, Chair of the National Latino Media Council and President and General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF).

For interviews, please contact Alison Sotomayor at communications@nhmc.org.

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The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is the media watchdog for the Latino community, ensuring that we are fairly and consistently represented in news and entertainment and that our voices are heard over the airwaves and on the internet.

We exist to challenge executives and influencers throughout the entertainment and news industry to eliminate barriers for Latinos to express themselves and be heard through every type of medium. NHMC works to bring decision-makers to the table to open new opportunities for Latinos to create, contribute and consume programming that is inclusive, free from bias and hate rhetoric, affordable and culturally relevant.

Receive real-time updates on Facebook, Twitter @NHMC and Instagram @NHMC_org.

National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a woman-led 501(c)(3) non-profit civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism toward the Latino communities.
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