Activist Groups to Protest Paramount Pictures for Not Hiring Enough Latinos

Two Latino activist groups are planning to protest Paramount Pictures, railing against the mega-media company for failing to hire enough Latinos.

Deadline reports that the activist groups National Hispanic Media Coalition and National Latino Media Council will demonstrate to protest the “dismal hiring record of Latino talent” at Paramount. The National Latino Media Council has already been boycotting the studio over these concerns.

In June, the two groups met with Paramount. The film studio gave a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, reading, “We recently met with NHMC in a good faith effort to see how we could partner as we further drive Paramount’s culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging.”

“Under our new leadership team, we continue to make progress — including ensuring representation in front of and behind the camera in upcoming films such as Dora the Explorer, Instant Family, Bumblebee and Limited Partners — and welcome the opportunity to build and strengthen relationships with the Latinx creative community further.”

However, Paramount’s attempt to address the Latino groups’ concerns was not sufficient. According to Deadline, the protesters claim that Latinos are “the most underrepresented minority in Hollywood. How Latinos are perceived on screen greatly impacts the way they are treated. In the current political climate, it’s important for us to be seen and viewed in a positive manner.”

Last August, the National Latino Media Council promised to launch a year-long campaign of “militant” action to pressure ABC, NBC, and FOX to hire more Latino talent.