‘The Walking Dead’ creator and cast on Black Lives Movement – Insider – INSIDER

Over the past week, the cast and crew of the AMC series and larger "Walking Dead" universe have thrown their support behind the Black Lives Matter movement, with some joining protests across the nation.

On Wednesday, the comic's social account, doubled down on its support, even if that meant losing followers.

"Looks like we lost quite a few followers after posting about #BLM," the tweet said. "We hope those who left educate themselves on these vital racial issues and learn to stand alongside their Black neighbors. #TWDFamily prides itself on its diversity. And if you want to leave over this, then "

The tweet was a response to posts over the past few days where the Skybound-run account has openly supported Black Lives Matter.

"To our fans and friends: when a part of the community is in danger, we all are. Let's stand together with the Black community. Share with us organizations that deserve and need our attention. Share with us what you're reading, listening to, etc. to highlight diverse voices. Let's make sure that we do not become complicit in racial injustice," reads part of the message from Skybound.

When challenged about why a comic company was posting about the Black Lives Matter movement, the account pushed back: "because when a race of people has felt the knee of oppression on their necks for generations without systematic change, then it's incumbent on everyone, especially people with large platforms, to push back and stand up for what's right."

"The Walking Dead" comic account responded to a comment asking why it was discussing the Black Lives Movement. Instagram/Insider screenshot

Colman Domingo, in 2018, promotes "Assassination Nation" during the Sundance Film Festival. Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP

"The Walking Dead" cast and others who work on the AMC show have been speaking out online and at protests. The message from #TWDFamily has largely been that if you're going to support a show with a diverse cast, you need to support the people who make it up.

"Fear TWD" star Colman Domingo shared a personal essay with Deadline. You can read it in full here.

"It isn't easy to live in this brown body. I am talking to all my friends and colleagues to say, yes, this is a problem and it has always been here. I have never had the privilege to think otherwise. This world has repeatedly shown me. You might think that when one is a public person that it cancels out the fear. My black friends know better. Everyone is overdue to stand up for what is right. Use your voices to say loudly that Black Lives Matter. No one who loves me can sit this one out. The price will be heavy for our future if we do. To my casts, crews, producers, production companies, et alyou can't look away anymore. I won't let you."

Khary Payton, who plays King Ezekiel, said he wants people to see him and realize he matters before they recognize him as "that guy from that show."

"I feel so ineffective," Payton wrote. "I want to help you understand that #blacklivesmatter does not mean that yours doesn't. I want to help you understand that we can hate the violence we see in the streets and still be upset about what it erupted from. I want to help you understand that after nearly 50 years of living, I would like to drive my fairly nice car in my own neighborhood without being accused of having stolen it. I want my life to matter before they realize, "Oh you're that guy from that show." Some of you are gonna take this the wrong way but I'll keep trying. That's all any of us can do. #staysafe"

Angel Theory has called for justice while discussing the discrimination she has seen on the streets while outside.

Angel Theory plays Kelly on "TWD." Gene Page/AMC

"My hometown being set on fire..trashed.. people being sent to jail,pepper sprayed and beaten up..My family is out there..I'm pissed ,heartbroken and ANGRY..but I will keep praying and FIGHTING with love. If our lives mattered we wouldn't have to keep reminding you. " tweeted Angel Theory.

On Wednesday, Angel Theory captured and shared a video showing a man "making gorilla noises while beating his chest" at two black officers.

If you don't know where to start, Sydney Park has suggested reading "Shifting: The Double Lives of Black Women in America," which you can find here.

Sydney Park plays Cyndie on "TWD." Gene Page/AMC

"For all of you non-Black people and white people out there who need to educate themselves and have their Amazon Prime reading lists about black people and what not to say and what not to do, this next image I'll have in my story is for you," said Park on her Instagram story. "It's about the double lives that African American women live in America. We have to wear many masks. We have to constantly be self-conscious about our hair and wearing it to work and being fired for wearing our natural hair to work and wearing braids... and having to shift when you're in a room full of all white people and all white men in an office, on a conference call, and constantly living in a state of invisibility as a black women. That being said, for all you white people out there who are just not getting it, I think you can step up."

Lauren Ridloff, who plays fan-favorite Connie, encouraged others to "donate and self-educate" about black men, children, women, non-binary people, trans women, and trans men.

Sonequa Martin-Green, who played Sasha, has been encouraging people to vote and providing resources to take action along with suggestions of what to watch.

Sonequa Martin-Green now stars on "Star Trek: Discovery." Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Its mighty powerful to post, but its not enough, for any of us. Theres a lot here. If you truly want to do more but are daunted by these lists, dont be discouraged but consider them a starting point. (If you werent aware, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has now taken over George Floyds case, it is no longer District Attorney Michael Freeman.) I encourage us all who are available to listen in on the NAACPs tele-townhall tomorrow featuring Rep Val Demings (D-CA) and others. I also encourage us all to VOTE. I encourage us all to continue educating ourselves. I encourage our non-Black #allies to continue having or start having difficult conversations with your family, friends, coworkers, acquaintances and associates. I encourage us all to NOT LET UP, even if/when this charged moment passes. As cliche as it sounds, we do this together. Thats just the truth. Thank you to @kamali.obiagu for finding this compilation and to @itstiffsturn for sharing. #blacklivesmatter

A post shared by Sonequa Martin-Green (@therealsonequa) on Jun 2, 2020 at 8:11pm PDTJun 2, 2020 at 8:11pm PDT

"It's mighty powerful to post, but it's not enough, for any of us. There's a lot here," wrote Martin-Green on Instagram. "If you truly want to do more but are daunted by these lists, don't be discouraged but consider them a starting point. (If you weren't aware, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has now taken over George Floyd's case, it is no longer District Attorney Michael Freeman.) I encourage us all who are available to listen in on the NAACP's tele-townhall tomorrow featuring Rep Val Demings (D-CA) and others. I also encourage us all to VOTE. I encourage us all to continue educating ourselves. I encourage our non-Black #allies to continue having or start having difficult conversations with your family, friends, coworkers, acquaintances and associates. I encourage us all to NOT LET UP, even if/when this charged moment passes."

In addition to giving experts a platform to speak about COVID-19, Danai Gurira, who had played Michonne since season three, shared the words of President Obama.

Norman Reedus joined protestors in Los Angeles.

Iron E. Singleton, who played T-Dog on early seasons, has encouraged people to vote and shared what it was like for him growing up on Instagram.

"When I was growing up in the projects, the instigator would put a rock or stick on the shoulder of an individual and dare the person opposing the individual to knock it off then step back out of harms way to watch them destroy one another. I grew to be very leery of the instigator/agitator/disruptor because I knew he didn't care about me or the person I was fighting," he wrote.

"TWD" showrunner Angela Kang has encouraged followers to vote and have your voice heard in primaries.

"TWD" creator Robert Kirkman said we need to "open our eyes to injustice" to progress.

Skybound is polling its employees to determine three organizations to donate to this week.

Thursday, AMC Networks turned its five cable channels AMC, SundanceTV, IFC, We TV, and BBC America dark for eight minutes and 46 seconds in observance of George Floyd's death. Floyd died May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes. Floyd was being taken into custody after allegedly trying to use a fake $20 bill.

Insider was told by a source familiar with the situation that AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan sent a memo Wednesday asking the company's 1,000 U.S. employees to identify an organization helping to combat racial inquality. Each organization will receive a $1,000 donation.

AMC previously gave each of its employees $1,000 to donate during the coronavirus pandemic to help with relief efforts. Donations went to animal shelters, food banks, hospitals, and local media outlets.

Thursday, all AMCN employees had the option of taking Thursday off to reflect. According to Variety, employees will gather in a virtual town hall Friday to "discuss social justice and inequality issues."

This story has been updated to reflect AMC Networks' contributions.

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'The Walking Dead' creator and cast on Black Lives Movement - Insider - INSIDER