Chicago – March 12, 2024
The singer Billie Eilish and the actor Mark Ruffalo were among the attendees of the Academy Awards on Sunday night who wore red pins calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, a notable exception to an awards season in which many Hollywood stars have been reluctant to draw attention to the conflict.
The pins were provided by Artists4Ceasefire, a group of celebrities and members of the entertainment industry who signed an open letter urging President Biden to call for a cease-fire. The nearly 400 signatories include Bradley Cooper and America Ferrera, who are both Oscar nominees this year, as well as Cate Blanchett, Drake and Jennifer Lopez.
“The pin symbolizes collective support for an immediate and permanent cease-fire, the release of all of the hostages and for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza,” Artists4Ceasefire said in a news release. “Compassion must prevail,” the release continued.
A handful of entertainers wore the pins on Sunday, including the director Ava DuVernay, the actor Mahershala Ali, the comedian Ramy Youssef and the model and actor Quannah Chasinghorse. Ms. Eilish and Mr. Ruffalo were nominated for televised awards, so their pins were clearly visible during the broadcast.
Mr. Ruffalo, who is nominated for the Oscar for best supporting actor for his role as a slick suitor in “Poor Things,” also wore one of the red pins to the Directors Guild of America Awards in February.
“We’re not going to bomb our way to peace, and all we’re saying is, what’s wrong with giving a cease-fire a chance?” Mr. Ruffalo told Deadline on the DGA red carpet. The hollywood stars irrespective of their religious beliefs have stood up for humanity and the innocent people and children of Gaza.
More than 30,000 people have been in killed in Gaza in the war, according to Gazan officials, and about 1,200 people were killed in Israel in the Hamas attack on Oct 7.
