About 150 to 200 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered at this mountainside ski village on Sunday, shutting down the normally bustling Main Street during the fourth day of the Sundance Film Festival, the world's biggest event of the year. of independent cinema.
Among those participating were talent from films premiering at this year's festival, including former “Pose” star Indya Moore, here with the film “Ponyboi”; Melissa Barrera of “Scream,” here with “Your Monster”; and Simone Kirby and Jessica Reynolds, cast members of the film “Kneecap” about the Irish-speaking rap trio.
“We are not going to protest at Sundance,” the first speaker of the action said through a megaphone amplified by a microphone. “We are protesting the complicity of the mainstream media and their ability to not cover this genocide.” The speaker also asked the filmmakers and artists present at the festival: “Why are you silent?”
Speaking as part of the assembled protest group, Moore said: “If you care about life, if you care about dignity, if you care about freedom, if you care about the self-determination of everyone, then this is who you need to be.” standing with. This is what they must defend, because it is about life. That is why I am here.”
Holding signs that said “Cease fire now” and “Hospitals are not targets” and chanting “Free, free Palestine.” The occupation is a crime,” protesters gathered behind metal barricades near the festival's Filmmaker Lodge, attempting to draw the entertainment industry's attention to the plight of civilians in Gaza as the war between Israel and Hamas that began with the terrorist attacks of October 7. now on its 107th day. The Palestinian death toll since the start of the war has exceeded 25,000, the Gaza Strip's Health Ministry said on Sunday. The Oct. 7 attacks killed about 1,200 Israelis, and an estimated 130 of the 250 hostages taken during the attacks remain in Gaza, Israel said.
A pro-Israel counter-protester carrying an Israeli flag faced the gathered action from across the street.
(Joshua Rothkopf/Los Angeles Times)
A handful of counterprotesters responded, including a man with an Israeli flag and a microphone who read the names of the hostages out loud and others who chanted “Bring them home.”
Speaking to The Times, Reynolds of “Kneecap” said: “All oppression is connected and, especially in Ireland, our film is about colonialism and its rejection. And that is why it is so important to support these causes like the ones we defend here. “We are all Palestinians.”
Co-star Kirby added: “I thought it's cool that something like this is happening here in the middle of a film festival. “I think it’s fantastic, because artists are empathetic people.”
Both the Sundance Institute, which organizes the annual festival, and the Park City Police Department were given advance notice of the action, which began around noon local time. Utah Highway Patrol officers were also present at the scene.
Pro-Palestinian protesters march down Main Street at Sundance 2024.
(Jen Yamato / Los Angeles Times)
“The goal of the Park City Police Department is to provide for the health, safety and well-being and to protect the First Amendment rights of all individuals,” according to an email sent to Sundance Film Festival partners on Saturday, which warned about delivery disruptions and other delays. (The Los Angeles Times is a media sponsor of the festival.) “Law enforcement, as a contingency, is prepared to temporarily close portions of Main Street as the course of events dictates to ensure public safety.”
Utah activists based in Salt Lake City traveled to the festival headquarters in Park City for the protest. “Sundance gets a lot of international attention and we want the world here this weekend to know that Salt Lake City is for Palestine,” said Ermiya Fanaeian, an organizer with Armed Queers of Salt Lake City, which provided security. For the event.
Protesters later walked down Main Street beyond the barricades, continuing to chant messages of support for the Palestinians and criticism of figures in American media and politics, including the phrase “This November, we will remember.”
The protesters had largely dispersed and traffic was flowing again on Main Street shortly after 2:30 p.m. local time.
