FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 1, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
Peace Activists Say to Hollywood "Pro-Palestine is Love" At Rally in Solidarity with Barrera, Ortega, Sarandon and Others Shamefully Censored by Hollywood
Rally and march in Hollywood to teach agents and producers what it means to stand with people for their self-determination.
Beverly Hills, CA - In a stand against the stifling of voices advocating for peace in Palestine, antiwar activists will converge for a march and rally outside the offices of Hollywood agencies and companies. The walk, starting at the renowned United Talent Agency and concluding at SpyGlass Entertainment Group, aims to spotlight the unjust censorship targeting celebrities who dare to speak out against genocide and for the people of Palestine.
CODEPINK co-founder, Jodie Evans, says this solidarity march seeks to challenge the narrative that supporting Palestine equates to antisemitism. "Standing for justice and empathizing with the Palestinian struggle is an act of love, not hate. It's time to celebrate those courageous celebrities using their platforms to call for an end to violence, not silence them," asserts Evans.
The recent dismissal of actress Melissa Barrera from the upcoming Scream 7, following her expression of solidarity with the people of Gaza, serves as a glaring example of the pervasive censorship. In an inspiring display of unity, co-star Jenna Ortega also withdrew from the cast in protest against this blatant suppression.
The appalling trend extends beyond the Scream universe to long-time antiwar activist and award-winning actress Susan Sarandon, who faced agency abandonment by United Talent Agency for speaking at a Pro-Palestinian rally. These decisions, indicative of a disturbing prioritization of silence over justice, are prompting the public to question the values upheld by Hollywood.
A Hollywood insider, who asked to remain anonymous, recently shared with CODEPINK that, "Even with all the other things that we know, this is the worst censorship I have ever seen in my lifetime in this business. It’s sick. And such a loss of basic humanity."
This wave of censorship echoes the dark days of McCarthyism, stirring echoes of past violence within Hollywood. We had hoped that lessons were learned, that Hollywood would refrain from punishing those who simply love something different than the prevailing values of those in power. This moment calls for a renewed commitment to free expression and a rejection of any attempt to stifle voices advocating for a just cause.
The march and rally on Tuesday starts at noon outside United Talent Agency (9336 Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills, CA) and serves as a collective call to action. Partners in this action include JVP-LA, PSL-LA, Midnight Books LA, Westside for Palestine, Latino Muslim Unity, Artists Against Apartheid, Los Angeles MAS, Southeast LA Club CPUSA, Yalla Indivisible, Socal Uprising, and more. Participants aim to express unwavering support for those celebrities standing in truth and challenge baseless accusations of antisemitism.
For further information on this pivotal event, please contact Ysa Gonzalez at [email protected].
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