Rev. Al Sharpton leads #OscarsSoWhite protest in Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Protesters led by Rev. Al Sharpton held a rally right outside the Dolby Theatre on Sunday over Oscars diversity issues.

A large crowd began to form on Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue around 2 p.m. as part of the #OscarsSoWhite movement, aimed to shine light on the controversy that there were only white nominees for the actor awards.

"The message is we are putting them on notice that we cannot continue to be stalled with a racially exclusive policy," Sharpton said loudly at the protest.

Sharpton vowed to lead larger protests and to target advertisers if diversity complaints aren't addressed.

From protesters to stars on the red carpet and the Oscars stage, the lack of diversity was a hot topic. Chris Rock opened the show with a humorous and impassioned monologue addressing the diversity issue rocking this year's awards.

"You realize, if they nominated hosts, I would even get this job," Rock said.

Sharpton also delivered a sermon at 10 a.m. at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church as part of the nationwide protest against the 88th Oscars ceremony.

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