On the Oscars red carpet on Sunday, March 10, 2024, several celebrities, including director Ava DuVernay and “Poor Things” star Ramy Youssef, sported red pins with Artists for Ceasefire. Speaking to Variety’s Marc Malkin, Youssef advocated for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
He emphasized the universal message of peace and enduring justice for the people of Palestine, urging collective efforts to stop the senseless violence. Moreover, to avoid being complicit in future wars, especially when it involves killing innocent children.
A Growing Solidarity Movement
Reflecting on the profound impact of war, the movement for “Artists for Ceasefire” is going viral. Several artists are coming out to lend their voices. Moreover, the number of individuals wearing the symbolic pins keeps increasing.
Notable figures such as Mark Ruffalo, Eugene Lee Yang, and Billie Eilish were among those spotted with the pins at the Oscars. Solidarity also extended to the film industry, with director Misan Harriman and writer-director Kaouther Ben Hania.
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Milo Machado-Graner and Swann Arlaud, the stars of Justine Triet’s best picture nominee, “Anatomy of a Fall,” also wore the pins. Notably, their pins were adorned with the Palestine flag.
A Plea for Ceasefire Leading Up to the Oscars
In October 2023, a formidable group of 400 artists united in a letter addressed to President Joe Biden. The letter fervently urged Biden to advocate for a lasting ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian war. The notable signatories were Mark Ruffalo, Joaquin Phoenix, Cate Blanchett, Ranny Youssef, Jon Stewart, Kristen Stewart, and many others.
Leading up to the Oscars, the fervor for the Palestinian cause intensified as thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered on Sunset Boulevard. Displaying unity, they marched towards the Dolby Theatre, the venue for the prestigious award show.
Pro-Palestinian Protesters Rally
Amidst waving Palestinian flags, the protesters chanted slogans such as “Free, Free Palestine” and “Long Live Palestine.” In an interview with Variety, Youssef made a universal plea, stating, “Let’s stop killing kids. Let’s not be part of more war.”
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Moreover, he emphasized the stark reality that no one has ever retrospectively regarded a bombing campaign as a wise decision in the aftermath of war. Youssef further reflected on the growing support from fellow artists. He was thankful for being surrounded by individuals willing to lend their voices to the cause.
Turning Hearts into Voices for Peace
Anticipating Sunday evening’s events, he noted that many people would proudly wear the symbolic pins. Contrary to the often detached analysis provided by news pundits, Youssef highlighted the Oscars as a unique space.
Additionally, he aptly described it as a gathering of “talking hearts” committed to fostering change and advocating for peace.
No Awards for Genocide
Protesters, wielding signs with messages like “No awards for genocide,” brought traffic to a standstill around the Dolby Theater, the venue for the awards ceremony. This gridlock delayed some red carpet arrivals and impacted the ceremony’s scheduled proceedings.
Actor Mark Ruffalo, rushing down the red carpet, acknowledged the disruption, stating, “We’re late. The Palestinian protest just shut down the Oscars tonight. Humanity wins!” Amid the inconvenience, Ruffalo expressed solidarity with the cause, recognizing the significance of the protest and its impact on the prestigious event and emphasizing the collective pursuit of justice and humanity.
Lead Artists’ Movement
Actor Mahershala Ali and director Ava DuVernay were among the Oscar attendees who showed their support by wearing the Artists for Ceasefire pin. This follows a trend of solidarity, as last month, the band Boygenius—Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker—also donned the same pins at the Grammy Awards.
The recurring presence of these pins at high-profile events underscores the growing movement within the artistic community to advocate for a permanent ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and promote a message of peace and justice.
Notably, the pin represents a unified call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire. Additionally, it signifies the liberation of all hostages and the urgent provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilians. Artists4Ceasefire firmly believes in the crucial role the US can play in stopping the ongoing suffering.
Their voices include the US Congress, UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders, The International Committee of the Red Cross, and more. As you may know, saving lives is beyond politics; it’s a moral imperative.
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