Hollywood execs are throwing shade at striking workers — by removing the tree canopy along their picket line.
Critics are calling out Universal Pictures for seemingly cutting down trees that provided their striking writers and actors with much-needed shade amid blistering summer temperatures.
Comedian Chris Stephens took to Twitter on Monday to express his disappointment over the studio’s decision to prune the plants in the middle of their demonstration.
“Quick shoutout to the good people at @UniversalPics for trimming the trees that gave our picket line shade right before a 90+ degree week,” Stephens sarcastically penned.
Alongside the tweet, the entertainer shared a photo of the trees looking bare and leaf-less.
The ongoing writer’s strike began on May 2 and workers were joined by the actors’ union SAG–AFTRA on July 14.
The viral post garnered angry — but also some hilarious — responses from his followers regarding Universal’s act of arboreal aggression.
“That’s so shady,” one quipped.
“Whoever ‘trimmed’ those trees may have just killed a bunch of trees on city property, that weren’t theirs to trim. Get ready for a fine and sanctions,” someone chimed in.
“Nobody prunes in July,” another claimed.
One critic ruminated: “The starvation of the trees is about as symbolic as it gets. They’re sending a message. Question is, who’s listening?”
A few others evoked California’s “tree law” and accused the studios of breaching a measure aimed at keeping streets beautiful.
According to the San Diego real estate law firm, Equity Legal LLP, the tree law explains that a city can only extract a shrub if it is seen to be blocking another entity.
They can also only remove a tree if it violates a fire zone or other local ordinances. Individuals — as well as organizations — can incur hefty fines if they disobey the law.
Fines can be given anywhere between $5.00 and $200.00 and even jail time that lasts not more than 50 days can also occur.
Pruning trees is also an ecological issue because people should also avoid thinning them out in the mid to late summer, according to the Los Angeles Times.
This act should be bypassed because one “can induce an off-season growth spurt, which can leave some species, such as ficus, vulnerable to freeze damage.”
“Hot-weather pruning can also delay or shorten dormancy for deciduous trees and is especially damaging to eucalyptus and pines,” the publication noted.
The Post has reached out to Universal Pictures for comment.
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