2019 SAG-AFTRA Election Series: Episode 2: National Presidential Candidate Abraham Justice Statement

Episode 2 in this 2019 SAG-AFTRA Election Cycle Series continues with the Statement provided to the Background Artists Coalition (BAC) from SAG-AFTRA National Presidential Candidate Abraham Justice.

As BAC is a coalition who advocates for better Wages & Working conditions for Union Background Artists, it is our mission to share Platform Statements specific to issues affecting working Union Background Actors.

However, due to the egregious fact that Working Union - the organization hosting the August 15th SAG-AFTRA Presidential Candidates Town Hall in California - expressly EXCLUDED SAG-AFTRA Presidential Candidates Abraham Justice and Queen Searles - the ONLY SAG-AFTRA Presidential Candidates of Color - from appearing on the stage provided by Working Union, we are happy to provide this alternative platform where these candidates can be included and heard.

As Working Union's claim that these candidates were excluded due to time & financial constraints is a transparently false pretext - as Working Union can easily shave ten minutes off the time allotted to all three White Candidates and it costs no more to keep the lights and microphones on whether there are three Candidates Chairs on stage or five - Mr. Abraham has justifiably accused Working Union of Discrimination as he believes Working Union's decision to EXCLUDE the ONLY Candidates of Color was based upon Race and not time or financial constraints, as any such issues can be cured without a spot of bother.

Additionally, according to Mr. Abraham, while Union Working had promised to publish his One-Page Platform Statement after they had EXCLUDED him from appearing on stage with the rest of the 2019 SAG-AFTRA Presidential Candidates - Gabrielle Carteris, Matthew Modine and Jane Austin - Union Working failed to keep that promise and only published the first paragraph of Mr. Justice's 2019 SAG-AFTRA Presidential Candidate Platform Statement.

So, the Background Artists Coalition is happy to be able to provide this Virtual Platform for Abraham Justice's 2019 SAG-AFTRA Presidential Candidate Statement.

Please Note: BAC is providing a space and Virtual Forum for 2019 SAG-AFTRA Candidates. We have not endorsed any 2019 SAG-AFTRA Candidate and the publication on this page of their statements does not constitute an endorsement. That said, we are proud to be able to help and believe it is our duty to do so.

The following is Mr. Abraham's 2019 SAG-AFTRA National Presidential Platform Statement:

Fellow SAG/AFTRA Members,

SAG-AFTRA honorably represents about 160,000 performers and media professionals in the United States. I have been a Union member since 2008. I'm a working actor and professional stuntman. I recognize and appreciate our Union fighting for our fair wages, set safety and rights protection for performers.

A report from industry analysis Digital TV Research suggests the amount of revenue lost to piracy has skyrocketed from US $6.7 billion in 2010 to nearly US $31.8 billion last year. This figure will hit nearly US $52 billion in 2022. We will win the war against Piracy!

We will win the best future for the Union and for all working professionals. We will unite Actors, Stuntmen as myself, Artists who work in motion pictures, television, commercials, video games, new media, radio and music.

Because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord, we will fight for JUSTICE. Our money won't go into the pockets of pirates any more. This money will increase our wages, residuals, create new jobs and opportunities, improve health benefits and make it more affordable, refine retirement and pension plans, insurance against occupational hazard and will provide a respectable accommodation for all Union members.

The challenges we face are real and they are serious. But together we will start winning again, winning like never before and JUSTICE will be served.

We will bring back our jobs, bring back our boundaries, bring back our wealth and we will bring back our American dream!

Since I was a child I always had a feeling that I was born for a big purpose - to change the world, to seek the truth and serve JUSTICE and to protect people who can't protect themselves.

I became a police officer and a successful captain. But my real love and passion always belonged to the film industry. That is why I decided to change my life and became an actor and stunt performer with over 100 credits.

I have now decided to run for SAG-AFTRA president and I appreciate every vote for my candidacy.

I'll fight for every right of our members, regardless of race, national origin, ancestry, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, age or disability.

It’s time for JUSTICE.

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