IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Hundreds rally outside Netflix to protest Dave Chappelle's special

The streaming giant has drawn fierce internal criticism and public scrutiny since Chappelle’s special, “The Closer,” debuted on Oct. 5.
A person in a jean jacket and face mask holds a sign that reads "Hate isn't funny."
People attend a rally in support of the Netflix transgender employee walkout "Stand Up in Solidarity" to protest the streaming of comedian Dave Chappelle's new comedy special, in Los Angeles on Oct. 20 2021.Mario Anzuoni / Reuters
/ Source: NBC News

Dozens of Netflix employees protesting Dave Chappelle's latest stand-up special were met with roaring applause as they lined up outside the streaming giant's Los Angeles headquarters Wednesday amid a work stoppage.

Transgender employees and allies staged the stoppage, which began at around 10:30 a.m. local time, while employees working from their homes united in a “virtual walkout." The protests came as Netflix faces escalating criticism over Chappelle’s special, “The Closer,” which debuted on Oct. 5.

LGBTQ advocacy groups and some employees have decried Chappelle's special as transphobic and harmful to transgender communities, creating an unprecedented public relations crisis for the country's marquee streaming video service. A spokesperson for Chappelle did not respond to multiple emails requesting comment on the backlash and the walkout.

“While comedy is something people need, we need to be careful what we put out into the world,” a Netflix employee, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, told NBC News at the rally. “Trans lives are not a joke.”

Hundreds of people, including a handful of Netflix employees who declined to comment on the record out of fear of being fired, attended the solidarity rally, which was organized by Black transgender activist Ashlee Marie Preston.

"This isn’t just about Netflix," Preston told the crowd. “It’s about a corporate culture that manipulates the algorithmic sciences to distort the way that we perceive ourselves."

“I’m here to let Ted know that if he won’t stand up for their rights, we will,” Preston later added, referring to Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos.

David Huggard Jr., who appeared on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” as Eureka O'Hara, called on Chappelle to show more empathy.

“Before anything else, understand that your jokes are promoting hateful and discriminatory behavior and conversation and that’s what hurts us,” Huggard Jr. said to the crowd, directing his comments toward Chapelle. “Understand that what you said wasn’t OK and it’s affecting people in a negative way.”

The protesters toted signs bearing pro-LGBTQ slogans — such as "Team Trans," "Invest in Trans Creators" and "Spread Love Not Hate" — and chanted "Trans lives matter."

Many, like Sinakhone Keodara, said they came to show their support for the trans community.

“I’m here because I’m pissed. I’m devastated. I’m angry,” Keodara, who identifies as gay, told NBC News. “I believe Ted Sarandos should be fired or resign. Our lives are worth more than money.”

Sean Kolodji, a political activist who described himself as a cis gay white man, echoed a similar message of solidarity.

“There is a movement to create a rift in the queer community where there isn’t one," he said. "It’s matters to have solidarity with our trans friends.”

Alex Paris, who does communication for Stonewall Democratic Club, a LGBTQ, feminist, and progressive political advocacy organization, called Wednesday a "really important day."

"Netflix needs to do a better job of listening," Paris said. “We’ve seen the effects of attacks on marginalized communities, most recently with the AAPI community. When we don’t stand up for marginalized communities, violence goes unchecked.”

Some celebrities — including comedian Billy Eichner, "Schitt's Creek" star Dan Levy, “The Matrix” co-director Lilly Wachowski and actor Elliot Page — showed solidarity with those partaking in the walkout on social media.

“I stand with the trans, nonbinary, and BIPOC employees at Netflix fighting for more and better trans stories and a more inclusive workplace,” Page, who stars on the Netflix series “The Umbrella Academy," wrote on Twitter.

Ahead of the walkout, Netflix’s trans employee resources group released a list of demands for the company.

“We want the company to adopt measures in the areas of content investment, employee relations and safety, and harm reduction, all of which are necessary to avoid future instances of platforming transphobia and hate speech,” employees said in the document, which was first reported by the Verge.

The company said Wednesday morning that it recognized many of its employees were distressed by Chappelle’s special.

"We value our trans colleagues and allies, and understand the deep hurt that’s been caused,” a Netflix spokesperson said. “We respect the decision of any employee who chooses to walk out, and recognize we have much more work to do both within Netflix and in our content.”

Netflix said Friday that it had fired an unnamed employee for sharing “confidential, commercially sensitive information” related to the special with a news organization.

The company previously suspended Terra Field, a trans employee who criticized the special on Twitter, although a spokesperson denied that her posts were the reason for her suspension.

Field, who wrote that Chappelle’s special “attacks the trans community, and the very validity of transness,” tweeted last Tuesday that she had been reinstated. “I feel vindicated,” she said.

GLAAD, the LGBTQ advocacy organization and media watchdog group, said that “anti-LGBTQ content” violates Netflix’s policy to reject programs that incite hate or violence.

In an internal memo obtained by the Verge, Sarandos said that the special did not cross “the line on hate.” He also said that “The Closer” would remain available to the service’s more than 200 million global subscribers.

People holding trans rights signs engage with a man holding a sign arguing for free speech outside Netflix HQ
People attend a rally in support of the Netflix transgender employee walkout.Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

On Tuesday evening, Sarandos acknowledged missteps, telling Variety that he “screwed up” when it came to “internal communication.”

“I should have led with a lot more humanity," Sarandos told the trade publication. "Meaning, I had a group of employees who were definitely feeling pain and hurt from a decision we made."

“I think that needs to be acknowledged up front before you get into the nuts and bolts of anything,” he added. “I didn't do that.”

Sarandos said he remains committed to “creative freedom” — a priority that might be difficult to square with the company’s links to progressive causes and high-profile liberals.

Chappelle has a lucrative content deal with Netflix. He signed an agreement in 2016 that is reported to pay him $20 million per stand-up special.

Addressing the crowd, Preston said, “Dave Chappelle doesn’t get to suck the life out of this moment… We won’t stop until justice is won.”

This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. Daniel Arkin reported from New York, Alicia Victoria Lozano reported from Los Angeles.