Some Oscar nominees wear red pins to call for Gaza ceasefire; protests snarl traffic outside event

Stars are arriving at the 96th Academy Awards, where protests over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza are snarling traffic near the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Several attendees, including Billie Eilish and Finneas, best song nominees for “What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie,” wear “Artists for Ceasefire” pins.

The pins were handed out by Artists4Ceasefire, a group of actors, celebrities, and entertainment industry members who have signed an open letter urging US President Biden to call for “an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.”

Some 400 artists have signed the letter, including Mandy Patinkin, Jennifer Lopez, Richard Gere, and Susan Sarandon.

Other celebrities who are wearing the pins tonight include actor and comedian Ramy Youssef who stars in the film “Poor Things,” which is nominated for several awards.

“We’re all calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We’re calling for the safety of everyone involved. We really want lasting justice and peace for the Palestinian people,” Youssef said earlier on the red carpet, as cited by the Guardian.

The pins were also worn at previous entertainment industry events this year including at the Directors Guild of America Awards and the Grammys.

Meanwhile, scattered pro-Palestinian demonstrations are being held in the vicinity around the Oscars tonight.

Los Angeles police, which had expected protests, beefed up their already extensive presence. The Dolby Theatre and the red carpet leading into it are cordoned off for several blocks in every direction, though protesters disrupted traffic near security checkpoints on Sunset Blvd.