Current:Home > MarketsBillie Eilish, Ramy Youssef wear red pins for Israel-Gaza ceasefire on Oscars red carpet-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Billie Eilish, Ramy Youssef wear red pins for Israel-Gaza ceasefire on Oscars red carpet
View Date:2024-12-24 09:29:58
As the awards season comes to a conclusion with Sunday night's 2024 Oscars, celebrities are using their platforms to raise awareness for the Israel-Gaza war.
Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell – who won the best original song Oscar for the "Barbie" soundtrack's "What Was I Made For?" – "Origin" director Ava DuVernay, Mahershala Ali and "Poor Things" stars Ramy Youssef and Mark Ruffalo were among the stars who sported red Artists4Ceasefire pins on the Academy Awards red carpet.
"We're calling for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We're calling for peace and justice – lasting justice – for the people of Palestine. And I think it's a universal message of just: Let's stop killing kids. Let's not be part of more war," Youssef told Variety.
"Four Daughters" director Kaouther Ben Hania and producer Nadim Cheikhrouha, who are nominated for best documentary, also donned the pin.
Last fall, Youssef, DuVernay and Ruffalo were among several hundred actors, comedians and musicians who signed Artists4Ceasefire's open letter to President Joe Biden, which called for "the safe return of all the hostages and immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza."
"We ask that, as President of the United States, you call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost," the letter read. "We believe all life is sacred, no matter faith or ethnicity and we condemn the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians."
Oscars highlights:Da'Vine Joy Randolph wins best supporting actress and our hearts
Protestors call for ceasefire outside the 2024 Oscars, snarling traffic
As these celebrities showed their activism on the red carpet, out on the streets of Hollywood, protesters interrupted traffic as they called for a Gaza ceasefire.
"No red carpet during genocide," read one sign among dozens speaking out about the conflict. They waved Palestinian flags, set off red smoke bombs and chanted as a smaller group of demonstrators waved signs that read "Fear God."
In his State of the Union last week, Biden called for Israel to "do its part" to get humanitarian aid into Gaza. "Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip," Biden said. "Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority."
The Biden administration's efforts to secure a six-week pause in Israel's war against Hamas that would include the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza has stalled, lacking support from Hamas.
To help transport more aid into Gaza, Biden announced the U.S. military will launch an emergency mission to build a port on the Gaza coast along the Mediterranean Sea. U.S. military personnel will assist from vessels offshore, but the operation would not involve U.S. troops on the ground in Gaza, he said.
In December, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to demand a cease-fire in Gaza, with the U.S. and Israel among the few countries that voted against the resolution.
Since Israeli forces launched an offensive in Gaza following Hamas' surprise attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7 that killed at least 1,300 people, more than 31,000 Palestinians have died – 70% of them women and children – according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israel says it has killed 13,000 Hamas militants and blames the civilian deaths on militants using them as human shields.
More than 100 people are still being held hostage by Hamas.
What's the meaning behind the red lapel pin at the 2024 Oscars?
The red pins feature the outline of a hand with a heart in the middle.
According to an Artists4Ceasefure press release shared on Saturday, the accessory "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.
"Artists4Ceasefire stands for a future rooted in freedom, justice, dignity and peace for all people. Compassion must prevail."
Hunter Schafer arrestedduring protest for ceasefire, Jewish Voice for Peace says
Contributing: Amanda Myers, John Bacon and Joey Garrison
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Former NFL coach Jack Del Rio charged with operating vehicle while intoxicated
- Luca Nardi, ranked No. 123 in the world, knocks out No. 1 Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells
- Oregon governor wants tolling plan on 2 Portland-area freeways scrapped
- Pressure on Boeing grows as Buttigieg says the company needs to cooperate with investigations
- Engines on 1.4 million Honda vehicles might fail, so US regulators open an investigation
- Christina Applegate says she lives 'in hell' amid MS battle, 'blacked out' at the Emmys
- Arkansas police identify suspect, victims in weekend shooting that left 3 people dead
- Special counsel Hur is set to testify before a House committee over handling of Biden documents case
- LSU student arrested over threats to governor who wanted a tiger at college football games
- The Body Shop shutters all store locations in United States as chain files for bankruptcy
Ranking
- Jamie Lee Curtis and Don Lemon quit X, formerly Twitter: 'Time for me to leave'
- Sperm whale beached on sandbar off coast of Venice, Florida has died, officials say
- This Tarte Concealer Flash Deal is Too Good to Gatekeep: Get an $87 Value Set for Just $39
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine bypasses Trump-backed Bernie Moreno with US Senate primary endorsement
- Man waives jury trial in killing of Georgia nursing student
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine bypasses Trump-backed Bernie Moreno with US Senate primary endorsement
- The Daily Money: Telecommutes are getting longer
- Eva Longoria Reveals Her Unexpected Pre-Oscars Meal
Recommendation
-
Full House Star Dave Coulier Shares Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Diagnosis
-
Selena Gomez's revealing documentary gave her freedom: 'There wasn't any hiding anymore'
-
Cincinnati Bengals releasing Pro Bowl RB Joe Mixon, will sign Zack Moss, per reports
-
New Jersey lawmakers fast track bill that could restrict records access under open records law
-
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says next year will be his last in office; mum on his plans afterward
-
Biden releases 2025 budget proposal, laying out vision for second term
-
Cancer-causing chemical found in skincare brands including Target, Proactive, Clearasil
-
Sen. Bob Menendez and wife plead not guilty to latest obstruction of justice charges