Rev. Al Sharpton plans Oscars protest in Hollywood

LOS ANGELES — The Rev. Al Sharpton has announced plans to stage a rally on Sunday prior to the Oscars to protest a lack of diversity in Hollywood.

The rally, announced Thursday, also is intended to support a push for a nationwide TV tune-out of the Academy Awards ceremony.

Critics say the awards show, with its second consecutive year of all-white acting nominees, has come to embody a diversity crisis in the entertainment industry,Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith and Spike Lee previously announced their intention to not support the show.

Sharpton’s demonstration will be held just a few blocks from the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are staged. Other rallies are planned in New York, Virginia, Ohio, Georgia and Michigan.

Associatd Press