In a joint effort, Film Workers for Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace’s Los Angeles chapter have issued a statement on Instagram, urging people to gather at the Cinerama Dome at 1 p.m. PT on Sunday for a march.

Their message is clear:

“We won’t be swayed by the entertainment industry. Instead, we will persistently advocate for a permanent ceasefire and Palestinian liberation. Let’s mobilize and take to the streets, demonstrating our refusal to turn a blind eye to the ongoing genocide. Ceasefire NOW!”

Sunday not only marks the Academy Awards but also the first day of Ramadan. It also coincides with Israel’s planned ground invasion of Rafah, a small city in the southern Gaza Strip where over a million Palestinians seek refuge.

The recent Oscars march follows Israel’s occupation of Palestine protest held outside the 2024 Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica on February 25. 

Protesters amplified pre-recorded chants through a megaphone, including slogans like “free Palestine,” “Long live Palestine,” and “ceasefire now.”

According to The New York Times, Commander Randy Goddard of the Los Angeles Police Department announced heightened security measures for this year’s awards ceremony due to rumors of potential protests.

“Our goal is to ensure the success of the Academy Awards, allowing guests to arrive safely and enter the venue,”

said Goddard, who oversees the department’s Oscars management.

“Simultaneously, we aim to engage with the groups as they assemble, emphasizing that we, as the police, are committed to upholding their First Amendment constitutional rights.”

The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to the LAPD for comment, while the Academy declined to provide a statement.

This isn’t the first time Hollywood’s grandest night unfolds amidst a divisive war. 

The 2003 Oscars also occurred during tumultuous times, underscoring the intersection of entertainment and global conflicts.