Oscars 2024: Traffic snarled outside Dolby Theatre due to protests over Israel's Gaza conflict

Protests over Israel’s war in Gaza snarled traffic around the Academy Awards, slowing stars’ arrival at the Academy Awards red carpet and turning the Oscar spotlight toward the ongoing conflict.

The demonstrations prompted the Los Angeles police to increase their already significant presence in anticipation of protests. The Dolby Theatre and its surrounding red carpet area were secured for blocks in all directions. However, protesters advocating for a ceasefire disrupted traffic near security checkpoints on Sunset Blvd, causing delays of up to an hour for some arrivals. Some protesters directed shouts of ‘Shame!’ at those attempting to attend the Oscars. Police, donning helmets and wielding batons, declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and threatened arrests.

Several attendees, including Billie Eilish and Finneas, nominees for Best Original Song for ‘What Was I Made For?’ from ‘Barbie,’ wore Gaza pins. Ava DuVernay and Ramy Youssef were also among those displaying solidarity with Gaza by wearing pins.

About the Oscars

Jimmy Kimmel is back as the host of the Oscars.

The blockbuster biopic ‘Oppenheimer’ is poised to dominate the Oscars, potentially overshadowing all contenders, including its release-date counterpart, ‘Barbie.’ This election-year Oscars ceremony might transform into a celebration of Christopher Nolan's work.

Besides the Israel-Hamas war, the war in Ukraine will be on some attendees’ minds, particularly those of the journalist filmmakers behind the documentary favourite, 20 Days in Mariupol. ‘Our hearts are in Ukraine,’ said Mstyslav Chernov, the Ukrainian filmmaker and AP journalist who directed ‘20 Days in Mariupol’.

The 96th Academy Awards is being held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Indian viewers watched the Oscars 2024 ceremony live on Disney+ Hotstar from 4:00 AM on March 11.

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