By Brandy Tannahill

I’m not an “activist”. I don’t derive joy from the concept of protesting. I had kind of mixed feelings about going to picket “Casting the Net” today.

I really didn’t want to go into a situation where I would be associated with people/protestors who scream/jeer/insult people, regardless of the reasons for being upset. I’m not a bully, and I don’t want to associate with bullies.

I was very pleasantly surprised to see that the IATSE members who attended were kind and supportive of each other, but not in a toxic way. Everyone on the line was pleasant and respectful, while also making their concerns heard. I learned from members representing multiple, diverse crafts. I was inspired especially by how many Local 600, 728, and 44 folks showed up throughout the day. 80 had a good showing too, which made me proud.

Production personnel, on the other hand, lied, and were rude and defamatory. It only confirmed and validated my convictions that walking off that show early was the right decision to make.

The notion that scabs crossed our picket line is disturbing in this scenario. The production failed to pay crew and in many other ways shortchanged the safety and well-being of their workers in the interest of profit. What would make people cross the line for such low pay, without proper safety measures in place, and at the behest of people who have already been burned?

There are real reasons why unions strike — it’s not the stereotype of someone being whiney about not having long enough coffee breaks. On this show an art director had his arm crushed so badly that he had to be taken away by paramedics. There was no set medic.

And I say “an art director” instead of “THE art director” because he was replaced, not just because of the injury, but because production fired the whole crew once they tried to organize after the accident.

I’m proud to have picketed today, and I’d do it again.