De Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences heeft dinsdagavond een mail gestuurd naar haar leden over het incident tussen Will Smith en Chris Rock op de Oscars 2022-ceremonie.

Eerder liet de Academy al weten dat zij de daden van Smith veroordeelde en een formeel onderzoek had opgestart om te kijken welke verdere acties er nodig zijn.

Het Los Angeles Police Department gaf op zijn beurt te kennen op de hoogte te zijn van het incident, maar dat Rock geen aanklacht wilde indienen.

In de recente mail geeft de Academy aan dat de officiële onderzoeksprocedure een aantal weken zal duren.

Lees hieronder de volledige brief:

Dear Members,

Sunday’s telecast of the 94th Oscars was meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year. We are upset and outraged that those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior on stage by a nominee. To be clear, we condemn Mr. Smith’s actions that transpired Sunday night.

As outlined in our bylaws, the Academy’s Board of Governors will now make a determination on appropriate action for Mr. Smith. As governed by California law regarding members of nonprofit organizations like the Academy, and set forth in our Standards of Conduct, this must follow an official process that will take a few weeks.

We will continue to update you on any developments, but we also ask that you respect your Board, Academy staff and the process as this unfolds so it can work in the considered way it was intended and mandated. Please trust that the Board of Governors will conduct this process in a manner that is both expedient and respectful of all involved while maintaining the standards of the Academy.

Thank you,
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
David Rubin, President
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Dawn Hudson
CEO

Ondertussen hebben de Governors, de belangrijkste leden van de Academy samengezeten en onthuld dat Smith gevraagd werd om de ceremonie te verlaten na het incident, maar weigerde.

Hij heeft 15 dagen de tijd gekregen om een geschreven antwoord te formuleren op de mogelijke sancties die hem te wachten staan.

Het volledige statement:

The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy.

Consistent with the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, as well as California law, Mr. Smith is being provided at least 15 days’ notice of a vote regarding his violations and sanctions, and the opportunity to be heard beforehand by means of a written response. At the next board meeting on April 18, the Academy may take any disciplinary action, which may include suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct.

Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television. Mr. Rock, we apologize to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment. We also apologize to our nominees, guests and viewers for what transpired during what should have been a celebratory event.

Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated. While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently.

Bron: Deadline