The Wall Street Journal: Demonstrators join workers outside Netflix offices to protest Dave Chappelle special
A group of protesters gathered outside one of Netflix Inc.’s Los Angeles offices Wednesday to express anger over the streaming giant’s Dave Chappelle comedy special, as some employees released demands for management and staged a walkout.
In the special, “The Closer,” Chappelle made jokes and remarks regarding gender that many in the transgender community, including some Netflix
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staffers, found offensive. The company has defended the special, citing reasons including the company’s commitment to artistic freedom.
Carrying signs that read “Transphobia Isn’t Funny” and “Trans Lives Matter,” protesters demanded that Netflix offer more inclusive programming and be more sensitive to the effect its content can have on certain communities and society as a whole.
Some Netflix employees attended the event, but didn’t speak. Supporters of the comedian also showed up and tried to disrupt the proceedings.
The event was organized by Ashlee Preston, a trans activist. “If your satire is punching down you are being a bully,” Preston said. “I’m tired of companies like Netflix making money off of trauma to my community.”
An expanded version of this report appears on WSJ.com.
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