Actors, Writers Strike Shuts Down Major Street Near Universal Studios

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA — A march of hundreds of striking actors and writers near Universal Studios shut down a portion of Lankershim Boulevard Friday morning.

Video from the scene shows picketers marching in the street and a large contingent of strikers on the pedestrian overpass bridge that connects to the Metro station.

Members of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA have been picketing outside studios across Los Angeles since their respective strikes began. SAG-AFTRA this week informed its members this week that there would be no official strikes outside of Warner Bros. and Disney in favor of drawing a larger contingent of actors outside Universal.

In addition to the routine purpose of demonstrating amid a stalemate in contract negotiations between the unions and studios, Friday's move was meant to "fight for a fair picket environment," the union said. Last month, Los Angeles officials announced that the city would fine Universal Pictures after it illegally trimmed sidewalk-planted trees that happened to have been providing shade for picketers. Universal said the trimming was something it did annually and it meant no harm to protestors.

"The fact of the matter is, while we're not supposed to be out here in the street, this is how strongly our members feel about getting a fair contract," SAG-AFTRA Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said in a social media video from the scene. "We're going to get everybody out of the middle of the street now, but just know this is how strong our members feel how important this issue is and that we are going to do what it takes to get a fair, equitable and respectful contract."

The demonstration, which was among the largest since writers went on strike May 2 and actors last month, comes as negotiators for the Writers Guild of America and studio representatives were set to meet Friday.

The meeting was set to be the first time the two sides have met since the strike began.