Protesters Gather Outside Oscars Ceremony to Call for Cease-Fire in Gaza
As celebrities walked the red carpet at the Oscars on Sunday, a different kind of scene was unfolding just a mile away from the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the closed Cinerama Dome, chanting for a cease-fire and expressing their support for Palestine amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The protesters marched down Sunset Boulevard, making their voices heard as car horns honked and police officers in riot gear monitored the situation. Smaller groups also gathered closer to the Dolby Theater, where the awards ceremony was taking place.
Organizer Anthony Bryson described the protest as a “Hail Mary opportunity” to draw attention to the situation in Gaza. Laura Delhauer, an independent filmmaker, held a sign that read “Free Palestine” and expressed her hope that the protest would pressure the U.S. government to end the conflict.
The protest was organized by groups such as Film Workers for Palestine and SAG-AFTRA Members for Ceasefire, who stated that “there will be no awards amid a genocide.” The event drew nearly 400 signatories, including celebrities like Bradley Cooper and America Ferrera, who called for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.
While previous award shows have seen few references to the conflict, some attendees at the Oscars, like singer Billie Eilish and actor Ramy Youssef, wore red pins calling for a cease-fire. The protest highlighted the ongoing debate within the entertainment industry on how to address political issues on a global stage.
As the Oscars ceremony continued inside the Dolby Theater, the protesters outside made sure their voices were heard, demanding peace and justice for those affected by the conflict in Gaza.
