These Hollywood Celebs Will Pass On The Oscars – Attending Event For Flint Water Crisis Instead

The 88th Academy Awards nominations have already been announced and the Academy has been accused of being too white for its lack of non-white nominees in spite of its aim to be more diverse. However, it seems the awards night on Feb. 28 will be even whiter than expected.

That's because some of the actors who were snubbed will not be walking down the red carpet to attend the awarding ceremony but for good reason. Blackout for Human Rights organized a free event for the benefit of affected Flint residents on the same day, just hours before the notable awards show kicks off.

Among the celebrities who will not be appearing at the Oscars is Director Ryan Coogler whose much-appreciated take on the Rocky spin-off "Creed" only received one nomination and it was for Sylvester Stallone's acting support. He is joined by comedian Hannibal Buress, filmmaker Ava DuVernay, musician Janelle Monáe and actors Jesse Williams and Jussie Smollett. Buress will serve as the event's host.

Before anyone assumes that this is the entertainers' form of boycott of the #OscarsSoWhite ceremony, Coogler wants everyone to know that #JusticeForFlint was organized to coincide with the last weekend of Black History Month. Yes, that has been observed in the United States for the whole month of February since 1976.

"With the #JUSTICEFORFLINT benefit event we will give a voice to the members of the community who were the victims of the choices of people in power who are paid to protect them, as well as provide them with a night of entertainment, unity, and emotional healing," Coogler said in a statement.

The entire event will be live streamed on revolt.tv and donations will be collected at the event site and through text. Coogler said that the goal for livestreaming the event is to reach out to people from other parts of the world and maybe urge them to help out.

Why is this important? It's because the residents of Flint have been subjected to a grave injustice since 2014 when their water supply was found to be heavily contaminated with lead and bacteria but not enough has been done so far to alleviate their situation.