Film Night Protest Sparks Debate Over Free Speech

A crowd of supporters for Palestine gathered outside the Los Angeles showing of the new Scream movie. They carried flags and signs that said “Cancel Paramount+” and “Stand for Free Speech. ” Some shouted chants about boycotting the film, while others played drums and trumpets. The event happened on the studio lot where actors from the film were posing for pictures. The noise from the protest was faint on the red carpet, but it could still be heard by those nearby. When asked about what he saw, the movie’s director said that watching the demonstrators made his heart stop. He explained that everyone in America has the right to protest and that he supports that freedom fully.The march was organized by groups such as Entertainment Labor for Palestine, CODEPINK LA and Jewish Voice for Peace‑Los Angeles. They claimed that Hollywood often ignores pro‑Palestinian voices and downplays the violence in Gaza. A key point of their protest was the removal of actress Melissa Barrera from the film after she posted support for Palestine on social media. The studio that runs the Scream series had previously stated it would not tolerate hate speech or false claims of genocide. The protestors want viewers to think twice before watching the movie, which is set to release on February 27. They argue that the film should not be used as a tool for propaganda or to silence those who speak out for Palestinian rights. The studio and distributor have not responded to requests for comments.