Oscar organizers brace for pro-Palestinian protests
The organizers of the prestigious Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, are gearing up for potential protests from pro-Palestinian activists, in collaboration with the Los Angeles Police Department.
"We are all aware of the protests, and we have several Plan Bs that we can quickly activate if necessary," stated one of the academy’s security chiefs.
According to organizers, pro-Palestinian activists intend to hold rallies in Hollywood on March 10 (US time), the afternoon preceding the ceremony.
The Los Angeles Police Department will play a role in ensuring the safe arrival of guests and Oscar nominees at the Dolby Theater, the venue for the event.
Currently, the theater perimeter is fortified with barriers and is under tight security.
Pro-Palestinian activists plan to commence a protest rally under the banner "No awards during genocide" at 1:00 PM on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.
"We will not allow people to turn a blind eye to the atrocities in Gaza," say the action groups Filmmakers for Palestine and Actors' Union for a Ceasefire. "We are striving to ensure that Palestine is not overlooked amidst the glitz and glamour."
Oscar organizers are presently focused on facilitating the safe passage of guests and nominees to the Dolby Theater and ensuring their uninterrupted walk down the red carpet.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to commence at 4:00 PM US time. A live broadcast of the event will be accessible to viewers on the ABC channel and various American streaming platforms.