During the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, CA, the ceremony was disrupted by pro-Palestine protesters. A single protester, equipped with a loudspeaker, managed to interrupt the event with calls to 'Free Palestine' and demands for a 'Ceasefire Now.' Despite being outside the security barriers, the protester's message, which was on a continuous loop, was loud enough to be heard inside. Comedian Jim Gaffigan, who was presenting the award for Best Ensemble Cast, faced difficulty as the protest noise persisted. Reports varied on the number of protesters, with some accounts mentioning a single individual while others referred to several people or a pair playing a recorded chant. The disruption was significant enough to drown out presenters and winners during the broadcast.
Several people protesting the Israel–Hamas war at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards could be heard throughout the ceremony https://t.co/tAr77nEkxm
Spirit Awards Disrupted by Pro-Palestine Protester https://t.co/eI2JiiJFSx
Spirit Awards Broadcast Disrupted by Pro-Palestinian Protester With Speaker; Chants Drown Out Presenters and Winners https://t.co/ahqrp7jTFg
A pair of protesters played a recording of the chant "Free Palestine" that could be heard inside the Film Independent Spirit Awards https://t.co/1LwsAUIMZL
A single protestor interrupted the #SpiritAwards with a message to “Free Palestine,” and called for a “Ceasefire Now.” They stood outside the security barriers holding a loudspeaker that was blaring a recorded message on a continuous loop. More details: https://t.co/cOZZ5SnbG0 https://t.co/ftdEuam0Vg
Loud Pro-Palestine Protest Causes Major Disruption at Indie Spirit Awards https://t.co/VkITAMs0bp https://t.co/k7hBZbbhDX
Spirit Awards Ceremony Disrupted By Sole Pro-Palestinian Protester With A Loudspeaker https://t.co/sAbNNKYBwS
Not sure if you can hear it on the simulcast but the protestors are pretty loud in here #SpiritAwards https://t.co/ISn9GVTNOS
A single pro-Palestine protestor with a loudspeaker is disrupting the #SpiritAwards in Santa Monica, CA (📸 Anthony D'Alessandro/Deadline) https://t.co/T9k2wxDHdk
“Free Palestine” supporters are disrupting #SpiritAwards while Jim Gaffigan is presenting best ensemble cast. Security does not seem to be able to quiet them as this continues…. https://t.co/JotnDFtfeA
Jim Gaffigan tries to present Best Ensemble as Free Gaza protestors yell on megaphones outside. They are still yelling. #SpiritAwards