Activist Rev. Al Sharpton has called an emergency meeting and plans "possible action" to protest the lack of diversity in this year's Academy Awards nominations, according to a statement he posted online.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 11: President and Founder of the National Action Network Rev. Al Sharpton (R) speaks as Tracy Martin, father of Trayvon Martin who was fatally shot by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman in Florida, listens during a news conference April 11, 2012 in Washington, DC. It has been reported that Zimmerman will be charged in the Trayvon Martin shooting according to Florida special prosecutor Angela Corey. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Credit: Jennifer Brett

icon to expand image

Credit: Jennifer Brett

While he saluted the best-picture nomination "Selma" received, he fumed at the lack of diversity in other categories.

[RELATED: Full coverage of Atlanta-filmed "Selma"]

[RELATED: Oprah Winfrey, "Selma" cast/director to march in Selma]

"The movie industry is like the Rocky Mountains, the higher you get, the whiter it gets," his statement read. "I have called an emergency meeting early next week in Hollywood with the task force to discuss possible action around the Academy Awards.”

Twitter responded immediately after the nominations were announced with the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite. Here's a look at some recent commentary using the hashtag:

About the Author

Keep Reading

Blooper celebrates the Atlanta Brave’s 5-0 win over the New York Mets during a MLB game Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at Truist Park. This year, the venue is a first-time host of the MLB All-Star game. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Credit: Daniel Varnado for the AJC

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC