M-SAG plans protest

The Minority Screen Actors Guild (M-SAG) is planning a protest at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood Saturday 2/18 starting at 10AM. The demonstration will be protesting the casting of Meryl Streep in two minority roles that M-SAG members believe should be filled by minority guild members. Most recently Streep nabbed the plum role of Madame Chiang Kai-shek, first lady of the Republic of China. The film centers on Madame Chiang's 2001 100th birthday celebration in her Manhattan apartment where, fighting the onslaught of dementia during the 9/11 attacks, she looks back on her eventful life during key moments in 20th century history. When announcing production, Streep gushed that "this is my Forrest Gump!" When asked whether she had any misgivings about winning the part over Margaret Cho for whom the part was originally written, Streep claimed, "This is all about ACTING. Margaret might be of Asian heritage, but she can't act. She could never win the Oscar, much less be nominated." Cho was unavailable for comment. Also represented will be the H-BLM (Hollywood Black Lives Matter) committee protesting last month's announcement that Streep will portray Mammy in THUS BREAK THE WIND, Lee Daniels update of Gone with the Wind. Previously Streep has been targeted by the BAAA Movement (Blond Actresses of Advanced Age) for hogging roles.