The Oscars Disrupted by Protest
Hundreds of protesters marched their way to Dolby Theater, the venue holding The Oscars, shutting down major streets in Hollywood. The crowd chanted, “While you’re watching, bombs are dropping,” and held signs that read “You stars receive awards while starving children receive bombs” and “No Oscars during a genocide.” Pro-Palestine supporters called for a ceasefire as the award show neared its red carpet at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, and ultimately caused a delay of the award ceremony.
Due to streets being packed with protesters, many Oscars attendees and A-list celebrities were delayed on arrival. As the protesters got closer to the red carpet, many police officers holding batons and wearing riot gear formed a wall around the carpet and gave the crowd an order to disperse. As protesters began getting closer to the fence and attempted to tear it down, police rushed to hold up the fence.
In other protest areas, protesters and officers were face to face, and police began to rush through the crowd jabbing them with their batons and making a few arrests. As tension between both protesters and officers grew, various Oscar attendees opted to walk their way to the venue in order to make it in time.
Celebrities, such as siblings Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, arrived at the red carpet wearing red Artists4CeaseFire pins. Actor Rammy Youseff, who also arrived at the carpet dawning the red pin, told Variety, “We’re calling for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We’re calling for peace and lasting justice for the people of Palestine,” summarizing it as a universal message of “let's stop killing kids.”
Actor Mark Ruffalo entered the red carpet late alongside his wife, and was recorded saying, “The Palestinian protest shut down the Oscars tonight,” calling it a win for humanity as he held up his fist.
