Law & Order’s Sam Waterston has been arrested for a second time while protesting climate change in DC. Created by Dick Wolf, the legal drama Law & Order is hailed as one of television’s longest-running series, clocking in at 20 award-winning seasons. Following the taxing process of police investigations and prosecutions in court, Law & Order debuted Waterston as Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy - the role that put his career on the map.
One of the most prolific actors of his time, Waterston’s career has spanned five decades, with roles in The Great Gatsby, The Newsroom, and Grace and Frankie. Helmed by Waterston’s Grace and Frankie co-star, Hollywood icon Jane Fonda started organizing weekly climate activism protests late last year. Dubbed "Fire Drill Friday", the weekly protests are held in Washington, DC and are aimed at politicians to address climate change. Adamant on garnering buzz and support for the cause, Fonda has invited numerous celebrity friends to join the protests, including Ted Danson, Catherine Keener, Diane Lane, Lily Tomlin, and Sally Field - all who ended up arrested.
Now, it appears Waterston’s Law & Order knowledge is being put to the ultimate test. Last October, Waterston was the first notable celebrity to join Fonda at her protests. Undeniably, the event was made memorable when Waterston was hauled away in handcuffs for being a part of the disruption on a street of the Capitol. As reported to THR, Waterston has been arrested for a second time for blocking a street at Friday’s rally. Check out the Fire Drill Friday’s Twitter post which shows Waterston being arrested:
Along with Fonda and Waterston, Young Sheldon star Iain Armitage and director Josh Fox (GasLand) were also in attendance at the protests, which emphasized calling out fossil fuel companies. Armitage took to the podium to speak on the reduction of plastic. Waterston shows no signs of slowing down in his career or protesting, and the actor is set to reprise his role in the upcoming season 6 of Grace and Frankie.
Awareness on the issues of climate change have soared in the past year with Fonda's weekly protests and environmental activist Greta Thunberg being named Time’s Person of the Year. Waterston remains one of the most respected actors in Hollywood and portrayed Jack McCoy perfectly by capturing the charisma of a character who fervently believes in the law. No doubt the public seeing Waterston, and other celebrities, hauled away by police officers has invoked a new level awareness to the weekly protests and has caused a stir in the real world of Law & Order.