Oscars: Protesters will decry lack of diversity
A protest is planned in Los Angeles Sunday over what critics say is a lack of diversity in the Academy Awards nominations.
The Oscars’ 20 acting nominee slots are filled entirely by white performers for only the second time since 1998.
There’s been criticism over that and what many see as the snubs for the director and star of the civil rights drama “Selma.”
FULL COVERAGE: Oscars 2015
The National Action Network Los Angeles said the protesters will call on the academy to “accelerate the academy’s push to be more inclusive.’’
Three years ago, a Times study revealed that the academy was 94% white with a median age of 62. Partly in response, the academy has added more women and members of minority groups. But the percentage of older white men has dipped by only about 1 percentage point, according to the most recent survey, largely because there are more than 6,000 people in the academy and members get lifetime terms. Diversity will take years to accomplish.
The exact location of the protest has not been released.
Roads across Hollywood are closed today. The awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood and Highland.
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