Roughly 1,000 protesters flooded Hollywood on Sunday, just hours before the 2024 Academy Awards ceremony, demanding an immediate halt to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Gathering initially in the hundreds at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Ivar Avenue, a stone’s throw from the Dolby Theatre where the Oscars were set to kick off, demonstrators soon swelled in numbers. They spilled onto Sunset Boulevard, brandishing Palestinian flags and occupying the entire eastbound lane. Amidst the sea of protesters, about 40 officers in riot gear stood watchful, positioned at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Las Palmas Avenue, as the crowd inched forward.
“Our objective is to ensure the smooth functioning of the Academy Awards, enabling guests to arrive securely and access the venue,” Mr. Goddard stated.
“In addition, we will make concerted efforts to engage with the groups upon their arrival, emphasizing our role in safeguarding their constitutional right to freedom of speech.”
With chants of “Free free Palestine!” protesters waved posters depicting a movie slate painted in the colors of the Palestinian flag, delivering a message to the Oscar attendees: “While you’re watching, bombs are dropping.”
The demonstration expanded to multiple points around Hollywood, including the Hollywood Boulevard exit off the nearby 101 Freeway and the intersection of Sunset and Vine. Additional rallies sprang up on La Brea and Franklin avenues, near the Dolby Theatre, all echoing the urgent call for a cease-fire.
As the crowd surged along Sunset Boulevard, a white van led the procession, its roof occupied by activists broadcasting messages through microphones and megaphones. Security measures around the theater were tight, with Los Angeles police intensifying patrols in anticipation of protests. Attendees of the ceremony and after-party events navigated through three checkpoints and multiple steel barriers before reaching the red carpet.
Joining the chorus of voices demanding a cease-fire were members of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television Radio Artists, prominently displaying their support through banners and placards.
The demonstration in Hollywood reflects a wider global movement calling for a resolution to the ongoing war and hostages still held by Hamas. Despite recent aid initiatives, limited access to essential resources compounded the plight of those affected by the conflict and enduring the consequences.
In the meantime, the United Nations reported “reasonable grounds” to suspect that some victims of the attacks led by Hamas against Israel on Oct. 7 experienced rape and sexual assault. The U.N. team of experts, in their report, stated they found “clear and convincing” evidence indicating that some individuals taken captive were subjected to sexual violence, including rape and sexualized torture. They also highlighted the possibility of ongoing sexual violence.
