The 96th Academy Awards faced an unexpected disruption as hundreds of protesters shut down a major section of Hollywood during the Oscars red carpet, turning the prestigious event into a traffic nightmare.
Protesters Demand Ceasefire in Gaza, Disrupt Oscars Red Carpet
According to Variety, protesters shut down Sunset Boulevard between Vine Street and La Brea Avenue, marching with signs that read “No awards for genocide” and driving school buses covered with Palestinian flags. This caused a significant traffic jam, leading to a growing sense of anxiety among production staffers and publicists that the Oscars might not start on time.
Protestors closed off Sunset Boulevard from Vine Street to La Brea Avenue. They paraded with banners proclaiming “No awards for genocide” and navigated school buses adorned with Palestinian flags down the street. Law enforcement demanded the crowd to break up and positioned themselves on Sunset Boulevard, equipped with battering rams.
The protest delayed the broadcast itself, which kicked off five minutes late. Executives like Bob Iger waited an hour to walk the red carpet, and some attendees abandoned their formal attire to walk uphill from Sunset Boulevard to the Dolby Theatre.
READ MORE: ‘Oppenheimer’ solidifies Oscar front-runner status at Producers Guild Awards
Celebrities Support Call for Ceasefire at Oscars Red Carpet
In solidarity with the protest, several celebrities, including Billie Eilish, Ramy Youssef, Eugene Lee Yang, Ava DuVernay, Misan Harriman, and Kaouther Ben Hania, wore red pins supporting Artists for Ceasefire at the Oscars red carpet.
“We’re calling for immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We’re calling for peace and lasting justice for the people of Palestine,” Youssef told Variety’s Marc Malkin on the red carpet. “It’s a universal message of, ‘Let’s stop killing kids. Let’s not be part of more war.’ No one has ever looked back at war and thought a bombing campaign was a good idea.”
READ MORE: Ghost of Tsushima for PC: Samurai Action with Ray Tracing, DLSS 3 and More
The 96th Academy Awards took place at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre on Sunday, March 12th, 2024. Jimmy Kimmel hosted the prestigious ceremony, where Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer was the most nominated film with 13 recognitions.
Stay updated with the Latest News and Stories, follow us on our social media platforms.
You can follow us on:
Stay Connected!! Join our WhatsApp Channel
