Hollywood Celebrities Wore Red Pins in Support of Palestine and Gaza at Oscars 2024
By: Masha Lukovenko / Arab America Contributing Writer
The War on Gaza reached the red carpet of the Academy Awards on Sunday as Hollywood stars and celebrities wore red Artists4Ceasefire pins in support of the Palestinian people on the Oscars red carpet. Singer Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell were prominent figures displaying these pins. Artists4Ceasefire called on President Biden and Congress to urge an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.
“The pin symbolizes collective support for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all of the hostages, and for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza,” the organization said in a press release. It then added that “Artists4Ceasefire stands for a future rooted in freedom, justice, dignity, and peace for all people. Compassion must prevail.”
Artists4Ceasefire pins were also worn by actor and comedian Ramy Youssef, actor Mark Ruffalo, and director Ava DuVernay. Ramy Youssef, who costarred in “Poor Things,” said that he is “calling for an immediate, permanent cease-fire in Gaza,” as he stated to “Variety.” He added, “We demand justice for the Palestinian people—long-lasting justice and peace.”
On the red carpet, Milo Machado-Graner and Swann Arlaud, featured in the Oscar-nominated film “Anatomy of a Fall,” also donned pins depicting the Palestinian flag.
The Holocaust drama “Zone of Interest” director Jonathan Glazer, who won best international picture on Sunday, made a comparison between the dehumanization of both sides in the Gaza conflict and that which is portrayed in the movie. “Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst,” Glazer said. “Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation that has led to conflict for so many innocent people. Whether the victims of October the 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims, this humanization, how do we resist?” Pro-Palestinian demonstrators also gathered near the Dolby Theatre ahead of the Academy Awards. They waved Palestinian flags and held signs in support.
“We’re calling for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We’re calling for peace and lasting justice for the people of Palestine,” Youssef declared to Variety. “It’s a universal message of, ‘Let’s stop killing kids. Let’s not be part of more war.’ No one has ever looked back at war and thought a bombing campaign was a good idea. To be surrounded by so many artists who are willing to lend their voices, the list is growing. A lot of people are going to be wearing these pins tonight. There are a lot of talking heads on the news; this is a space of talking hearts. We’re trying to have this big beam to humanity.”
Artists4Change sent an open letter to President Joe Biden just weeks after the conflict began. The letter encouraged President Joe Biden and Congress to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, and it was signed by celebrities like Drake, Killer Mike, Vic Mensa, Miguel, Kaytranada, Macklemore, Dua Lipa, Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett, Joaquin Phoenix, John Cusack, Lena Waithe and more.
The red pins first made waves last month at the 2024 Grammy Awards when boy genius artists Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker wore them on the red carpet. Other celebrities who wore the red pins tonight were director Ava DuVernay, director Misan Harriman, “Nimona” actor Eugene Lee Yang and more.
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