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Susan Sarandon Snubs Animal Activist Amid Hollywood Blacklist Controversy

BBG News

During a recent excursion in New York City, Susan Sarandon maintained a certain space from others, seemingly dismissive of an activist from an animal rights organization. This occurred not long after she alleged that she faced a Hollywood blacklist due to her supportive stance on Palestinian issues.

On a bustling Friday in New York City, the 78-year-old Oscar winner was seen walking briskly. During her stroll, she encountered a charity collector supporting the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Rather than engage, Sarandon made a few animated gestures, leaving the volunteer looking uncertain.

Clad in a daring assortment of items such as a black embellished leather jacket, a red sweater, and violet sneakers, the character from The Rocky Horror Picture Show momentarily halted, then strutted forward with self-assurance.

The sighting comes on the heels of Sarandon’s ongoing fallout with Hollywood. 

In November 2023, she parted ways with United Talent Agency following her inflammatory remarks made at a pro-Palestine gathering in New York.

At the gathering, she expressed that Jewish individuals are experiencing a sense similar to what Muslims typically encounter during conflict with Hamas.

Later on, Sarandon asserted that the agency exaggerated their reasons for ending their relationship with her, suggesting that she was unofficially barred from future collaborations due to her political beliefs.

According to the star, she mentioned to Variety that her previous agents hastily publicized the news, stating, “I’m puzzled about how Nancy Gates and Shani Rosenzweig, my longtime friends and representatives, arrived at their decisions to part ways with me.

Nancy shared with me that she identifies as a Zionist, and it seems to me that they chose to reveal this now through Page Six for dramatic effect, given my history of political engagement. I firmly believe in the right to boycott – it’s one powerful way for voiceless groups to make their voices heard.

Instead of continuing with regret, the undaunted celebrity commented: “I’ve faced job losses and strained relationships with loved ones, but I’ve also found motivation from those who deeply care about humanity and truly believe in the potential for a brighter future. They are using their voices to halt genocide.

I appreciate my compassionate and courageous friends and relatives. I strongly condemn any form of violence towards any group of people. Just as dangerous is the suppression of our First Amendment rights, as it paves the way for fascism to take hold. True freedom can only be achieved when all of us are free.

UTA – which is run by Jewish CEO Jeremy Zimmer – has never publicly stated why they axed Sarandon.

As a devoted supporter, I’ve been using my voice to advocate for Palestine and have attended numerous rallies, urging for a truce in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

Later on, she expressed her apologies, explaining that she hadn’t initially meant to participate in the rally. Instead, she was invited to address the audience, and her purpose was to draw attention to the critical humanitarian predicament unfolding in Gaza.

In a conversation with The Times, Sarandon discussed how the uproar resulted in her agent leaving and now she can’t appear in major studio movies anymore.

She shared with the outlet: “My agency let me go, and my projects were canceled. I’ve become a cautionary tale of what not to do to keep working in this industry.

Many individuals across various professions, such as custodians, writers, painters, café workers, and substitute teachers, find themselves unemployed since November of last year. These individuals lost their jobs due to reasons like tweeting contentiously, liking controversial posts, or advocating for a pause in activities.

She was asked if there might be another major film role for her in the future, to which she responded: “I’m not sure. Nothing in Tinseltown (a nickname for Hollywood) for now.

In July 2024, Susan expressed regret for her comments, admitting that her choice of words had been a significant blunder, during her segment on Elle Spain magazine.

Additionally, she emphasized her strong will to halt the ongoing ‘crisis’ in Gaza, expressing that her passion for fighting injustice has been a driving force for her for quite some time.

Underneath the magazine’s cover, the actress articulated that her role as a well-known figure serves as a ‘megaphone’, enabling her to shed light on societal concerns.

Despite knowing that voicing her opinion might lead to being shunned by many within the industry, Susan strongly advocated for unity among all parties, emphasizing that it was crucial to prevent further loss of life among Israelis and Palestinians, as no one should have to meet such a tragic end.

She expressed: ‘I’ve always felt distressed and enraged by injustice. Growing up in Washington during the 1960s, the Vietnam War loomed large, while the tragic assassinations of figures like John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., cast a dark shadow over our society.’

Previously, Susan has taken a stand on various issues such as raising awareness about AIDS, opposing the war in Iraq, and advocating against gun violence, with instances leading to her arrest.

In June 2018, she was detained during the Women Disobey demonstrations due to her vocal opposition towards Donald Trump’s contentious immigration policy that resulted in children being taken away from their parents.

Her most recent arrest occurred on May 8, 2023, at the New York State Capitol in Albany. 

Acting as head of the advocacy group One Fair Wage, Sarandon voiced her support for raising the minimum wage for employees in the restaurant industry who receive tips.

Among eight activists, she faced charges for disturbing the peace due to obstructing foot traffic in the Capitol’s main entrance area.

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2025-04-12 02:04

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