Actors’ Equity Picks Joe Biden In Rare Presidential Endorsement

For only the second time in its century-plus history, Actors’ Equity Association, the union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theater, has endorsed a candidate for U.S. president and vice president: Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris.

“It didn’t have to be this way,” said Kate Shindle, president of Actors’ Equity Association. “In 2016 I said that unions would have to fight with everything we have for our survival. I never imagined how true those words would be today, given the Trump administration‘s utter failure to respond to the pandemic that shut down our industry six months ago.”

Shindle continued, “Vice President Biden understands that the arts are a critical driver of healthy and strong local economies in cities and towns across the country. He will also be an ally who can help us build a stronger and more inclusive country by championing the rights of workers in every sector, including the arts.”

The move follows the union’s first presidential endorsement, of Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. At the time, Equity cited Donald Trump’s opposition to arts funding and education, affordable housing, health care and voting rights.

In its announcement for the Democratic ticket today, Equity also noted Trump’s proposal to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts in each of his budgets.

“Equity fights for the right to a safe workplace, but at every turn, Donald Trump has worked to undermine workers’ rights,“ said Mary McColl, executive director of Actors’ Equity Association. “From gun control to Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ rights, he has stood against protections our members not only support but need to survive. It is not too late. We can instead elect Vice President Biden, who in his decades long career in public service has shown time and time again his belief that labor unions are key to a strong middle class.”

More from Deadline

• CNN's Town Hall With Joe Biden Draws 3.3 Million, Short Of Donald Trump Rally On Fox News

• Emmys TV Review: Jimmy Kimmel-Hosted High-Wire Act Steps It Up In A Year Of Election, Uprising & COVID-19

• Joe Biden Pays Tribute To Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Says Vacancy Should Be Filled After Election

Best of Deadline

• Coronavirus: Movies That Have Halted Or Delayed Production Amid Outbreak

• Hong Kong Filmart Postponed Due To Coronavirus Fears; Event Moves Two Weeks Before Toronto

• Peacock Programming: List Of NBCUniversal Streaming Service’s Series, Films, Sports, News & More

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.