The Human Rights Marketing Campaign (HRC) Gala in Los Angeles reached chaos on Saturday when Israel-Hamas battle protesters interrupted Jill Biden’s speech at the Fairmont Century Plaza resort in Los Angeles.
As soon as the first woman started speaking, about five people got up from their seats and started shouting: “Free Palestine”. One of them contained a sign that read: “Queer Jews Say Cease Fire Now.” The evening serves as an important fundraiser for HRC, one of the country’s leading LGBTQ advocacy organizations.
Protesters continued shouting as security led them out of the room.
Biden stopped speaking and resumed when protesters left the ballroom.
It was announced earlier this week that Biden would deliver keynote remarks during the dinner and awards ceremony.
In the early evening, protesters blocked the driveway, resulting in the resort entering onto Avenida das Estrelas. At one point, some could be heard shouting, “Genocide Joe!”
The evening’s program also includes awards presented to Jean Smart (“Hacks”) and Sterling K. Brown (“American Fiction”).
A similar protest – attended by celebrities such as Sara Ramirez (“And Just Like That”) and Indya Moore (“Pose”) – was held at the HRC gala in New York in February. Activists denounced HRC’s ties to weapons producer Northrop Grumman and called on the LGBTQ group to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
Just days after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, HRC President Kelley Robinson issued a statement regarding the ongoing violence in the Central East. “The cost of Israeli and Palestinian civilian lives increases every day. And many Jews and Muslims in the U.S. recognize that hate-driven prejudice and violence will increase here. Anti-Semitism is incorrect. Islamophobia is incorrect. Total cessation,” the statement read, in part. “(M)any member of our group feels very disadvantaged right now. The world is heavy and scary. And the long term is uncertain. This violence is a reminder that the battle for freedom from extremism, discrimination and hate is a global battle. It’s my battle. It’s your battle. It’s our battle.”
Earlier this month, protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza also disrupted the Oscars by blocking streets, resulting in the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. With the A-list crowd scrambling to get to their seats in time, producers delayed the start of the Oscars by about 5 minutes.
The post Jill Biden’s LGBTQ speech interrupted by Gaza ceasefire protesters appeared first on All celebrities.