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Rev. Al Sharpton Plans Oscars Protest In Hollywood Over Lack Of Diversity

LOS ANGELES (CBSNewYork/AP) — The Rev. Al Sharpton has announced plans to stage a rally on Sunday prior to the Oscars to protest a lack of diversity in Hollywood.

The rally, announced Thursday, also is intended to support a push for a nationwide TV tune-out of the Academy Awards ceremony.

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Critics say the awards show, with its second consecutive year of all-white acting nominees, has come to embody a diversity crisis in the entertainment industry.

Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith and Spike Lee previously announced their intention to not support the show. Some thought Smith might be nominated for his performance in the football drama "Concussion," but he was not.

Actress Rooney Mara recently said in an interview she felt she was on the wrong side of the "whitewashing" conversation, after receiving criticism over her role as 'Tiger Lily' in the 2015 film "Pan."

Sharpton plans to hold the rally blocks from the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are staged. Other rallies are planned in New York, Virginia, Ohio, Georgia and Michigan.

The Oscars will be held on Feb. 28, with comedian Chris Rock is hosting for the second time.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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