Mark Ruffalo Joins Sexual Abuse Protest Before Heading To 88th Academy Awards
In downtown Los Angeles, just before the 88th Academy Awards were set to begin, Spotlight cast and crew members including Mark Ruffalo, director and co-writer Tom McCarthy, and co-writer Josh Sinfer joined a sexual abuse protest outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels church in downtown L.A. The Spotlight team supported and stood with SNAP, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests. The protesters stood outside the cathedral calling out the names of specific pedophile priests to be released.
Ruffalo verified on Twitter that he was standing and protesting with SNAP.
“Standing with the survivors of Priest sexual abuse!”
The Hollywood Reporter shares about the subject matter of the Oscar-nominated film Spotlight, in which which Ruffalo stars.
“Spotlight follows the Boston Globe investigative journalists who uncovered the Catholic church scandal of priests involved with child molestation. The film has earned Ruffalo an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor as well as five other nominations, including best picture, best director and best original screenplay.”
The film has already gained critical acclaim and took home five awards at Film Independent’s Spirit Awards which included one nod for best feature. SNAP is set to host an Oscar viewing party at the Next Door Lounge in Hollywood.
Standing with the survivors of Priest sexual abuse! https://t.co/xfV9bV5m3q
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) February 28, 2016
Ruffalo has been nominated for his role in the critically-acclaimed film that sheds light on the corruption within the church institution. The 48-year-old actor also considered boycotting the Oscars this year for its lack of diversity within the pool of nominees. The actor also promoted the rally in Flint, Michigan, promoting it by writing “Check this out tonight. Justice for Flint.”
As the Los Angeles Times shares, the Spotlight cast and crew that joined in the protest, each proudly held a section of the banner outside the cathedral.
“The ‘Spotlight’ creators each held a section of a banner printed with the victims’ childhood photos and addressed the protesters before heading to pre-Oscar parties and the red carpet.”
Ruffalo spoke on the behalf of protesters directed towards their abusers.
“I’m here to stand with the survivors and the victims and the people we’ve lost from Catholic priest childhood sex abuse.”
Organizers of the protest wanted to use the Oscars as a catapult to drawing attention to their cause by holding in on the same day. Organizer Barbara Blaine spoke on the matter.
“We wanted to use this moment with all of the attention on the movie ‘Spotlight’ because that movie tells our stories and gets it right. Every Catholic should see this film.”
There were around 20 protesters at the event in addition to those who are involved in the production of Spotlight. In addition, Ruffalo shared his admiration for the way the film was produced and directed.
“The other thing that’s amazing about the movie is that it’s really a celebration of journalism and the power of it, I think it reawakens us. It reawakens our appreciation of it.”
He’s proud of the way the film handles the delicate subject matter in “a really mature, serious way.”
When the actor returned from the protest he was sure to share about his experience by taking to Instagram.
“Just got back from a protest with SNAP Priest Sexual Abuse Survivors.”
The Oscars air tonight and Spotlight is one of the lead contenders for Oscars in an array of categories. Mark Ruffalo is nominated for best supporting actor.
[Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images]
