A whole lot of protesters converged on Hollywood on Sunday forward of the 2024 Academy Awards ceremony to name for a right away cease-fire within the Israel-Hamas warfare.
About 200 demonstrators gathered about 1 p.m. on the intersection of Sundown Boulevard and Ivar Avenue, a number of blocks east of the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, the place the Oscars ceremony is scheduled to start out at 4 p.m. Individuals have been already arriving on the purple carpet rolled out in entrance of the theater.
An Israel supporter stands on the sidewalk as a protester shares views Sunday in Hollywood.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Occasions)
Dozens of demonstrators spilled out onto Sundown Boulevard waving Palestinian flags, fully occupying the eastbound facet of the road.
“Free free Palestine!” the gang chanted to a drumbeat as they waved dozens of posters displaying a film slate — painted in black, white, inexperienced and purple, the colours of the Palestinian flag — with a message addressed to the Oscar viewers: “When you’re watching, bombs are dropping.”
Dozens of different demonstrators gathered across the Hollywood exit off the close by 101 Freeway and on the intersection of Sundown and Vine, whereas nonetheless others rallied on La Brea and Franklin Avenues, close to the Dolby Theatre, waving indicators that mentioned “Stop-fire Now.”
Safety is tight in and across the theater. Los Angeles police have bolstered patrols within the space, and ticketholders for the ceremony and after-party occasions should cross via three checkpoints and various metal boundaries earlier than approaching the purple carpet.
Demonstrators have held quite a few rallies and marches around the globe in current months calling for an finish to the warfare.
Israel launched its airstrikes and a floor invasion of Gaza after Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 individuals and taking greater than 240 hostages. The loss of life toll in Gaza has since handed 30,000, with many of the casualties ladies and kids, in line with the World Well being Group.
Worldwide mediators had been working unsuccessfully for weeks to dealer a pact to pause the preventing earlier than the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins Sunday. Officers have been hoping a deal would enable help to succeed in tons of of 1000’s of determined Palestinians in northern Gaza who’re beneath risk of famine.
Officers have been warning for months that Israel’s siege and army assaults have been pushing the Palestinian territory into famine. Not less than 20 individuals have died from malnutrition and dehydration on the north’s Kamal Adwan and Shifa hospitals, in line with the Well being Ministry within the Hamas-controlled territory.
Latest airdrops of help by the U.S. and different international locations present far fewer help provides than truck deliveries, which have turn out to be uncommon and typically harmful. UNRWA, the most important U.N. company in Gaza, says Israeli authorities haven’t allowed it to ship provides to the north since Jan. 23. The World Meals Group, which had paused deliveries due to security considerations, mentioned the army pressured its first convoy to the north in two weeks to show again final week.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
