In a comprehensive statement on Instagram, actor Stephen Amell addresses the "misinterpretation" of his previous anti-strike remarks, seeking to provide clarity and context to his stance on the SAG-AFTRA strike.

    

Actor Stephen Amell has taken to Instagram to provide additional context and clarification regarding his controversial comments about the SAG-AFTRA strike. In an appearance at Raleigh's GalaxyCon last weekend, the 42-year-old actor had expressed his lack of support for striking, which caused a viral reaction. To avoid any misunderstanding and ensure that his true sentiments are not unintentionally misinterpreted, Amell penned a detailed explanation of each of his statements.

    

In his Instagram post, Amell wrote:

"1. I support my union, I do, and I stand with them.

My support for the union is unconditional, and I stand firmly with my fellow union members.

2. I do not support striking, I don’t.

In full context: I understand the reasons behind the strike, and I recognize that it is necessary despite not liking the idea of striking. We have to do what we have to do to protect our rights.

3. I think that it is a reductive negotiating tactic and I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating.

In full context: As an actor speaking spontaneously for over an hour, I may have expressed my emotions about the situation. However, I acknowledge that these issues are complex, and I have respect for the challenging job our leadership faces. I understand the strike intellectually, but it still remains emotionally frustrating for everyone involved.

4. I think that thinking as it pertains to shows like the show that I am on that that [sic] premiered last night, I think it is myopic.

What I meant: Honestly, I have no idea what I was trying to say here. It might have been a shoutout to our crew and cast, who mean a lot to me. I'm just saddened that we can't celebrate a show that we all worked so hard on."

Amell further concluded, "I want to ensure that my thoughts and intentions are not misconstrued. I stand with my union, even though some may disagree with me. Let's not lose sight of the bigger picture. I choose to stand with my union, and if you see me on a picket line, please refrain from throwing any hard fruit."

    

It's worth noting that Amell's original comments were among the first made by an actor criticizing the SAG-AFTRA strike, which began on July 14 after the expiration of SAG-AFTRA's contract and the breakdown of talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. As of now, there has been no response from SAG-AFTRA regarding Amell's statement.