Protesters Target Scream 7 Premiere Over Melissa Barrera Firing

A group of protesters gathered outside the Scream 7 premiere at the Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, calling for a boycott of the film and criticizing Paramount+ over the firing of actress Melissa Barrera. The demonstration, which drew around 25-30 people, was organized by various pro-Palestine groups, including Entertainment Labor for Palestine, CODEPINK LA, Musicians for Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace-Los Angeles.

The protesters, who were seen waving Palestinian flags and holding signs that read "Cancel Paramount+" and "Stand For Free Speech Boycott Scream 7," chanted slogans such as "Boycott Scream 7" and "Free, free, free Palestine." Some also played drums and trumpets to draw attention to their cause.

According to reports, the protesters were demonstrating in support of Melissa Barrera, who has been vocal in her support for Palestine. Barrera was recently fired from an unspecified project, which some believe was due to her pro-Palestine views. The protesters claim that Paramount has a "blacklist" of actors who criticize Israel, and are calling for a boycott of the film and the streaming platform.

The Scream 7 premiere, which took place on the same night, drew a number of high-profile attendees, including Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox. However, the protests could only be faintly heard from the red carpet, where the film's stars were posing for photos.

The demonstration highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding free speech and censorship in the entertainment industry. The protesters argue that Barrera's firing is an example of the industry's efforts to silence pro-Palestine voices, and are calling for greater freedom of expression.

In a separate but unrelated development, a new documentary titled The Perfect Neighbor has shed light on the tragic case of Ajike Owens, a working mother of four who was shot and killed by her neighbor in Ocala, Florida. The film, which is Oscar-nominated, explores the events leading up to Owens' death and the subsequent trial of her killer.

In other news, Hilary Duff has confirmed a long-standing rumor that she crashed the premiere of Freaky Friday in 2003 amid a rivalry with fellow Disney star Lindsay Lohan. The two actresses, who were reportedly involved in a love triangle with Aaron Carter, have since squashed their beef and moved on with their careers.

The Scream 7 premiere protests serve as a reminder of the complex and often contentious issues that surround the entertainment industry. As the industry continues to grapple with issues of free speech, censorship, and representation, it remains to be seen how these controversies will play out in the public eye.

Sources:

• Protestors Gather at ‘Scream 7’ Premiere After Melissa Barrera Fired: ‘Stand For Free Speech’ and ‘Cancel Paramount+’
• Pro-Palestine Protesters March Outside ‘Scream 7’ L.A. Premiere
• Pro-Palestine Activists At ‘Scream 7’ Premiere Call For Film’s Boycott After Melissa Barrera Firing
• Mother Of Victim In Oscar-Nominated Documentary ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ Remembers Her Slain Daughter: “She Loved Hard”
• Hilary Duff Crashed ‘Freaky Friday’ Premiere Because Lindsay Lohan Was Her ‘Childhood Feud’ and ‘Nemesis’; They Squashed Their Beef Later Over Shots