The world has witnessed a live genocide in Gazan by Israel for the last four months, while the world is watching. Israel’s atrocities have killed well over 31000 civilians including 15000+ children, while hundreds of thousands are severely wounded and millions are going through famine and hunger. People from around the world including Hollywood artists have been protesting against Israel’s war and came to be known as the Red Pin Stars.
This year’s Academy Award event became more political, especially with the red pin symbolizing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Several actors and actresses, irrespective of their religious background called out for the inhuman genocide by Israel on the Palestinian people. And no wonder it has created a mount of controversies around the world especially among the pro-Israeli supporters.
From the dazzling showcase of the red carpet at the Oscars 2024, pro-Palestine protests were protesting just outside the Dolby Theatre. They disrupted the traffic around the security checkpoints.
On the other hand, the red carpet was silent yet several actors and actresses came out with an impactful statement wearing a Red Pin that symbolizes an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The Cease-Fire pins worn by artists have drawn significant attention to the ongoing Israel genocide in Gaza. Now this humanitarian gesture from the world-famous actors and directors has become a talking point in the media.
Who Wore the Red Pin Stars at the Oscar Event?
Renowned Hollywood figures such as Billie Eilish, Mark Ronson, Ava DuVernay, Mark Ruffalo, Riz Ahmed, Mahershala Ali, and Ramy Youssef adorned themselves with the red pins, featuring a hand encircling a black heart. This gesture echoed the solidarity expressed by Boygenius members Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker at the recent Grammy Awards, along with actors Tony Shaloub and Ebon Moss-Bachrach at the preceding SAG Awards.
Ramy Youssef, both a presenter and a star in the nominated film “Poor Things,” articulated the sentiment succinctly from the red carpet, stating,
“We’re calling for an immediate, permanent cease-fire in Gaza. We’re calling for peace and justice—lasting justice—for the people of Palestine.”
Jonathan Glazier, a Jewish director is also among the Red Pin Stars who has raised his voice against Israel’s atrocities with an impactful Oscar note. He says,
“Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation that has led to conflict for so many innocent people, whether the victims of October 7 in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza,”
What Does the Red Pin at Oscar Mean?
The red pins showcased at the Oscars were distributed by Artists4Ceasefire, a coalition of celebrities and members of the entertainment industry. These pins symbolized collective support for urgent actions in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, advocating for an immediate and permanent cease-fire, the release of captives, and the prompt delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
Notable figures involved in this initiative include Cate Blanchett, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, and Bradley Cooper, among more than 380 signatories. Actor and comedian Ramy Youssef, speaking to US media, articulated the group’s plea for an end to violence and for justice and peace for the Palestinian people, stressing the universal imperative to protect innocent lives, especially those of children.
How Did This Red Pin Appearance Taken by Pro-Israeli Supporters?
Because of the Red Pin and the humanitarian gesture of the artists, the pro-Israeli genocide supporters became furious. They have been attacking all the starts from the Red Pin Stars at Oscar.
Starts like Mark Ruffalo and Jonathan Glazier are the pick of the Israeli attack and have been struck with the title, “Antisemitic Jews”, “self-eating Jews” and many more. But it doesn’t matter to them as long as they are on the right path. For all these starts, what is wrong is wrong and what is right is right irrespective of their religious and ethnic background.