Hollywood came to a grinding halt today. Not for the 2024 Oscars ceremony at Dolby Theater— but for a pro-Palestine protest that marched on the Oscars. Activists chanted in support of Palestine and demanded an immediate ceasefire and end to Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza. The Oscars ceremony was briefly delayed and attendees had to walk alternative routes to get to the Oscars. In response to the peaceful march and protest, the Los Angeles Police Department mobilized a massive tactical unit in riot gear. With riot munition guns and batons drawn, LAPD told pro-Palestine protesters that they were banned from protesting at the Oscars, a direct violation of the 1st Amendment. A commanding officer from LAPD (flanked by far-right extremists) told protesters that the peaceful march was “criminal activity.”
Despite this, a smaller group of pro-Palestine protesters were able to circumvent the massive militarized LAPD blockade. When they reached the Oscars red carpet, the protesters were met with riot cops deployed on the red carpet itself. Meanwhile, there were also a small number of pro-Israel and far-right agitators that the police gave special treatment to. The pro-Israel agitators were allowed to physically assault pro-Palestine protesters.
Additionally, an angry driver even tried to use his car to drive into the protest, but was stopped and turned around by organizers.
Video from local cop watcher William Gude shows LAPD using batons to violently assault peaceful pro-Palestine protesters outside of the Oscars. All of this posturing and police brutality just to prevent Hollywood elites from seeing or hearing pro-Palestine protesters speak out against Israel’s genocide against Gaza.
Here’s the full report from on the ground: