Daniel Zachariou, Supanova Pop Cultre Expo Event Director, has taken to the expo’s Facebook page to announce that Adam Baldwin will remain an invited guest for events in Sydney and Perth this June. Baldwin’s status was previously under review.
“To exclude someone from Supanova for their views, even if we don’t share them, goes completely against the spirit of the expo that we’ve presented all these years as all our stars appear to discuss their work in pop culture, not their personal political or ideological viewpoints. We similarly embrace all our fans, whatever their various pop culture passions may be, and that inclusiveness is at our very heart,” Zachariou wrote. “Further, the concerns are far-reaching and complex, and contain an immense amount of discord. We feel, as Supanova, that we’re not positioned to adjudicate either way.”
Zachariou also shared a statement from Baldwin on the matter.
“The harassment and threats being made on both sides of the #GamerGate debate shame the games industry and make it extremely difficult for casual observers to see the merits of arguments about corruption, ethics or journalism,” Baldwin began. “Threats of violence and/or “doxxing” should be reported to law enforcement and handled at their discretion. Such threats are reprehensible and have no place in any debate.
“Obviously, I condemn harassment. The YouTube videos linked on Twitter at the outset last September contained no personal information of any individual. I had zero knowledge of what might be in their comments sections. No one can honestly be expected to check vast comment threads below articles or videos before linking to them.
“Lastly, I believe that pop culture conventions are inappropriate venues for controversial topics, so I will respectfully not be discussing them at Supanova, or its related events.”
Adam Baldwin is a Hollywood actor who has achieved a cult status for roles in the likes of Firefly and Chuck alongside voice acting in games like Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Half-Life 2: Episode 2 and DC Universe Online.
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