Tayyaba
Blue Beetle took flight at theaters on Friday, its highly anticipated release marking the first Latino lead superhero within the DC universe. However, despite being the movie’s writer, Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer was unable to enjoy the milestone moment as he stood on the picket line outside the Warner Bros. studios with his sign waving to express solidarity with his fellow writers, actors, and performers on strike.
What did Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer say about ‘Blue Beetle’?
“I’m proud and I’m sad. I’m excited and I am afraid.” While picketing, Gareth shared his thoughts with THR, explaining that despite the movie’s release, he didn’t know whether to revel in the movie’s success or to mourn the ongoing strike. Afterwards, the writer also acknowledged the disproportionately difficult impact of the strikes on Latino writers, who already work relatively less and have fewer resources available to them due to their immigration status.
“I think Latinos more than anyone understand the power of unions and the power of fighting,” Dunnet-Alcocer added, referencing the fact that this strike is part of a long history of Latinos banding together and revolting against more strong forces, whether political or corporate. “It’s in the Latino blood. Revolution and this kind of struggle is in our DNA.”
“Latino writers don’t usually come from wealth. So that’s an extra pressure. The less economic infrastructure you have to help you survive this, it’s less chance to write and express their stories because you can’t write.”
Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer
A Latin Celebration: Latino Writers Fight For Increased Recognition, Visibility and Remuneration
In what observers have called one of the most active and lively moments of the strike, thousands of Latino writers and actors, including Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, who hails from Querétaro, Mexico, gathered at Warners in Burbank to demonstrate their collective power. With flashmob-style dancing, Latin-style music, and signs like “Don’t Make Me Get La Chancla!” and “The AMPTP Is Not Daddy, Pedro Pascal is Our Daddy!”, the crowd occupied a portion of West Olive Avenue and caused traffic jams near the studio. Actors such as Edward James Olmos and Wilmer Valderrama were also present alongside SAG-AFTRA’s Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.