OVERTAKING STREETS
Hundreds of protesters shut down traffic near Oscars venue as stars arrive on red carpet and LAPD issues dispersal order
Police have since issued a dispersal order for the protest
THIS year's Academy Awards event was forced to begin five minutes late on Sunday evening after protesters crowding the streets around the venue caused traffic and forced some attendees to walk.
Nominees such as Cillian Murphy eventually trickled into the theater after the Los Angeles Police Department was forced to issue a dispersal alert when 100s of protesters descended on the area.
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Crowds were chanting "Free free Palestine" while waving Palestinian flags and holding up signs.
Many posters showed a movie slate painted in black, white, green, and red, the colors of the Palestinian flag, with a message addressed to the Oscar audience: “While you’re watching, bombs are dropping," according to .
They also waved signs saying "Cease-fire Now" and chanted "Let's shut it down!" while walking Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.
As protestors block the street, traffic near the high-profile event has been an issue.
Singer Ariana Grande posted to her on Instagram that she was stuck in traffic wearing a bright pink tool dress and a massive pink gem necklace.
In anticipation of a protest, police increased its presence in the Hollywood area.
“It’s going to be our goal to ensure that the Academy Awards is successful, that guests can arrive safely and get into the venue,” Los Angeles Police Department Commander Randy Goddard told .
“But, also, we are going to try very hard to make contact with the groups as they show up, and lay out the expectation that we as the police are here to support your First Amendment constitutional rights.”
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He even suggested that at least one group “would like to stop the Academy Awards.”
The LAPD has since issued a dispersal order for the protest.
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“A Dispersal Order was issued in the area of Sunset Boulevard and Cherokee Avenue for Unlawful Assembly,” the Los Angeles Police Department on X, formerly Twitter.
“Stay away from the area.”
In the Times report, Goddard also said that protestors could block city streets ahead of the Oscars or near Dolby Theatre, which is where the event will take place.
On October 7, Israel launched airstrikes and a ground invasion of Gaza after Hamas attacked Israel.
The initial attack killed about 1,200 people and more than 240 hostages were taken.
The death toll in Gaza has since passed 30,000, with most of the casualties being women and children, according to the
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The Oscars can be streamed on ABC's website and the ABC app with a cable subscription.
You can also watch the star-studded show on Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV and Fubo TV.
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