All eyes are on the Oscars tonight, and many are using the opportunity to advocate for a ceasefire and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid ongoing protests.
As the stars hit the red carpet, a large crowd gathered outside the Dolby Theatre to protest in support of Palestine, causing a traffic jam near the venue.
Some stars, like Poor Thing’s Ramy Youssef, sported small red pins with an out-stretched hand and black heart, the symbol for Artists for Ceasefire, a campaign that began with a letter to Joe Biden demanding a ceasefire. Others, including Anatomy of a Fall's Swann Arlaud and Milo Machado Graner, wore the Palestinian flag on his lapel.
As the night progresses, acceptance speeches will provide another opportunity to call attention to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and the humanitarian crisis that threatens widespread famine in the region.
Billie Eilish, Mark Ruffalo, and more stars who wore a red pin in support of Palestine
Jonathan Glazer, Zone of Interest
Upon accepting the Oscar for Best International Feature, Glazer said, "All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present. Not to say look what they did then, but to say look what we do now. Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst. It shaped all our past and present."
He continued to connect his film's themes to the present: "Right now we stand here as men who refute our Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijaked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people. Whether the victims Oct. 7 in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza. All the victims of this dehumanization, how do we resist?”
Billie Eilish, Barbie
Credit: Getty Images: JC Olivera / StringerEilish wore an Artists For Ceasefire pin.
Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things
Credit: Getty Images: Michael Blackshire / ContributorRuffalo wore an Artists For Ceasefire pin.
FINNEAS, Barbie
Credit: Getty Images: WWD / ContributorFINNEAS wore an Artists For Ceasefire pin.
Ava DuVernay
Credit: Getty Images: JC Olivera / StringerDuVernay wore an Artists For Ceasefire pin.
Ramy Youssef, Poor Things
Credit: Getty Images: Marleen Moise / StaffYoussef wore an Artists For Ceasefire pin.
Riz Ahmed
Credit: Getty Images: Mike Coppola / StaffAhmed wore an Artists For Ceasefire pin.
Mahershala Ali
Credit: Getty Images: Mike Coppola / StaffAli wore an Artists For Ceasefire pin.
Swann Arlaud, Anatomy of a Fall
Credit: Getty Images: Mike Coppola / StaffArlaud wore a Palestian flag pin.
Milo Machado-Graner, Anatomy of a Fall
Credit: Getty Images: Mike Coppola / StaffMachado-Graner wore a Palestian flag pin.
Kaouther Ben Hania, Four Daughters
Credit: Getty Images: Mike Coppola / StaffBen Hania wore an Artists for Ceasefire pin.
Nadim Cheikhrouha, Four Daughters
Credit: Getty Images: FREDERIC J. BROWN / ContributorNadim Cheikhrouha wore an Artists for Ceasefire pin.
Eugene Lee Yang, Nimona
Credit: Getty Images: Getty Images: JC Olivera / StringerLee Yang wore an Artists for Ceasefire pin.
Misan Harriman, The After
Credit: Getty Images: Getty Images: Gilbert Flores / ContributorHarriman wore an Artists for Ceasefire pin.
Quannah Chasinghorse
Credit: Getty Images: JC Olivera / StringerChasinghorse wore an Artists for Ceasefire pin.
Daniel Scheinert
Credit: Getty Images: Michael Buckner / ContributorScheinert wore an Artists for Ceasefire pin.
The pro-Palestine protest that nearly shut down the Oscars red carpet
Hundreds of pro-Palestine protestors marched outside Dolby Theater calling for a permanent ceasefire.
Organized by Film Workers for Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace LA, Adalah Justice Project, and SAG-AFTRA Members for Ceasefire, the protest began with a march through Hollywood and blocked traffic. In a joint Instagram post the groups wrote, "We will not be distracted by the entertainment industry. We WILL continue to call for a permanent ceasefire and Palestinian liberation."
This is a developing story and will be updated.
