Molina Joins in Protest Over Alleged Disney Discrimination

The Walt Disney Co., which has been besieged by a variety of protests and controversies in the past several months, was targeted again Thursday by a coalition of Latino and community-based organizations that vowed to take action for alleged discrimination against Latinos.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina and about 40 groups, including several unions and American Indians in Film, said during a Latino Media Summit that they are joining forces with the National Hispanic Media Coalition, which last April launched a “No Nos Quieren” (They Don’t Want Us) campaign against Disney and the Disney-owned ABC television network.

Leaders of the media coalition have long claimed that Disney and ABC have a poor record of hiring Latinos, and that ABC Inc. President Robert Iger and Disney Chairman Michael Eisner have broken promises to include Latinos in influential policy-making positions.

At Thursday’s rally, held at Patriotic Hall in Los Angeles, media coalition President Alex Nogales said, “Disney and ABC must know that our community will not spend its dollars on their products anymore until its creative and executive doors are open to us.”

Nogales and others said that several actions would be taken against Disney, including telling Latinos and others not to patronize Disneyland. Latino business organizations also vowed not to take contributions from Disney.

In a statement, Molina said, “For me, this campaign starts with my simple decision as a mother not to take my daughter to Disneyland. Our community has a talented pool of individuals that deserve to be integrated into Disney’s work force, and deserve to be at the decision-making table when it comes to content and character development.”

Disney officials declined comment on the protest. But in a surprise twist, ABC announced Thursday that it will broadcast “Selena,” the recent theatrical movie about the slain tejano singer, and two other Latino-themed films, “A Walk in the Clouds” and “My Family/Mi Familia,” next season.

The announcement about “Selena” was particularly ironic. The National Hispanic Media Coalition has repeatedly called for the firing of radio shock jock Howard Stern, who made what it regarded as offensive remarks following the slaying of Selena. An abbreviated version of Stern’s radio show runs on E! Entertainment Television, which is partially owned by Disney.

Responding to ABC’s announcement, Nogales said: “I’m glad they’re doing it. But they have to do a hell of a lot more.”