From ‘ICE OUT’ to ‘Free Palestine’ to gun violence: How politics took center stage at the Oscars

Several artists took to the Oscars red carpet and stage on Sunday to not only protest the Trump administration’s immigration policies but also advocate for Palestinian liberation, intensifying artist-driven activism at the entertainment awards show.The “BE GOOD” and “ICE OUT” badges at the Oscars drew less attention than last month’s Grammys, but some attendees who wore protest attire used the Oscars to highlight other political causes.

war against iran and free palestine badge

“Say no to war and let Palestine be free,” actor Javier Bardem said onstage before presenting the award for best international feature film.He wore a badge that read “No a la Guerra,” the same anti-war slogan he used when protesting the war in Iraq more than two decades ago, and a badge that featured Handala, a cartoon character seen as a symbol of Palestinian identity.Australian actor Guy Pearce wears a Free Palestine badge. In December, the Oscar winner apologized for a series of anti-Semitic social media posts that he said he had unintentionally retweeted as part of his support for the Palestinian cause.According to Forbes, British actress Charithra Chandran was among those who wore a red enamel Artists4Ceasefire badge during the ceremony, which called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian aid for civilians, and the release of all hostages. “What we’re asking for is a ceasefire in Gaza, and I think I’m lucky to have a platform and this is the least I can do with it,” Chandran told The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet. She stressed the importance of continued public attention to the suffering of civilians.Israeli attacks have killed hundreds of Palestinians since a ceasefire came into effect in October, according to the Hamas health ministry in Gaza. Israel said it was responding to ceasefire violations.

anti-icing badge

“Hamnet” nominee Polish-American costume designer Malgosia Turzanska wore an “ICE OUT” pin on her dress, as did songstress Sara Bareilles, while Glennon Doyle took a more explicit approach, unabashedly carrying a “F**K ICE” purse.Actors nominated for Trump’s travel ban on Palestinian troops stay away from OscarsMotaz Malhees, starring Voice of India RajabThe Best International Feature Film nominee was banned from entering the United States due to a travel ban imposed by Donald Trump’s administration and was therefore unable to attend the ceremony. Just days before the awards show, Maris revealed the news in an emotional post on Instagram. “Three days until the Academy Awards. Our film has been nominated for an Academy Award. I’m honored to play one of the leads in a story the world needs to hear,” he wrote. “But I won’t go there. I’m not allowed to enter the United States because of my Palestinian citizenship.” Wissam Hamada, the mother of the film’s protagonist, was also unable to attend. She reportedly watched the ceremony in Greece, where her family was granted asylum with the help of executive producer Ahmed Khan.

A grieving mother’s plea against gun violence silences a room

Another unforgettable moment on stage occurred All available rooms Winner of the Best Documentary Short Award. Director Joshua Seftel invited on stage Gloria Cazares, the mother of 9-year-old Jackie Cazares, who was killed in the 2022 Uvalde Roble Elementary School shooting in Texas. “My daughter Jackie was nine years old when Uvalde was killed. Her bedroom has been frozen in time since that day,” Casares told the audience. “Jackie was more than just a headliner. She was our light and our life.” The emotional tribute brought the Dolby Theater into silence and was followed by a standing ovation – a reminder that even Hollywood’s biggest night can’t escape the weight of real-world tragedy.

‘Nobody Against Mr Putin’ wins best documentary, draws parallels with U.S. politics

The Best Documentary category brings more social commentary. David Borenstein, co-director of “Nobody Against Mr. Putin,” said the documentary is about “how you lose your country.”Borenstein said this happens through “countless little acts of collusion,” such as “when governments murder people on the streets of our major cities” or “when oligarchs take over the media.”“We all face moral choices, but luckily even a nobody is more powerful than you think,” he said.