During the Oscars red carpet event, a large group of protesters caused a major disruption, shutting down a significant section of Hollywood and creating a traffic nightmare. The chaos led to a delayed start of the Oscars telecast, with much of the ballroom unusually empty just minutes before the scheduled time.
Protesters, carrying signs with messages like “No awards for genocide,” blocked Sunset Boulevard between Vine Street and La Brea Avenue. They also drove school buses covered in Palestinian flags. The police intervened, ordering the protesters to disperse and waiting with battering rams.
The traffic jam affected even high-profile executives like Bob Iger, who had to wait for an hour before walking the red carpet. Some attendees abandoned their formal attire to walk uphill from Sunset Boulevard to the Dolby Theatre. Production staffers used golf carts to transport those stuck in SUVs, and seat fillers might be needed until everyone can get inside.
HAPPENING NOW: A massive protest in support of Palestine near the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, where the Oscars are set to take place.pic.twitter.com/omNyiuD1sm
— sarah (@sahouraxo) March 10, 2024
Happening now: pro-Palestinian protesters have partially blocked traffic in front of the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood to protest the Oscars. pic.twitter.com/Xgoadpti7G
— Samuel Braslow (@SamBraslow) March 10, 2024
On the red carpet, various celebrities, including “What Was I Made For?” singer Billie Eilish and “Poor Things” star Ramy Youssef, wore red pins in support of Artists for Ceasefire. Youssef explained the initiative, calling for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza and advocating for peace and justice for the people of Palestine.
Youssef emphasized the universal message of stopping violence, particularly against children. The movement aims to gather support from artists willing to lend their voices to the cause. This echoes a previous effort in October, where 400 prominent artists signed a letter urging U.S. President Joe Biden to demand a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
This disruption during the Oscars follows a similar incident at the Independent Spirit Awards on February 25, where a pro-Palestine protest disrupted the event near Santa Monica Beach.
