The premiere of Scream 7 in Los Angeles on Wednesday night was met with demonstrations as pro-Palestine protesters gathered to call attention to the film’s connection to recent industry controversies and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The protests underscore a growing tension within Hollywood regarding public stances on geopolitical issues and their impact on creative projects.
Approximately 30 demonstrators, led by Entertainment Labor for Palestine, CODEPINK LA, and Jewish Voice for Peace-Los Angeles, voiced their concerns outside the Paramount Studios lot, where the premiere was held. Protesters carried Palestinian flags and signs with slogans including “Cancel Paramount+” and “Stand For Free Speech Boycott Scream 7,” chanting slogans calling for a boycott of the film and expressing solidarity with Palestine. The sounds of drumming and trumpets accompanied the chants, though the protests were largely contained and only faintly audible on the red carpet, according to reports.
Director Kevin Williamson addressed the demonstration when asked by The Hollywood Reporter, stating, “I saw them and my heart just sort of stopped. Look, we live in America. Everyone has a right to protest and everyone should be heard. And if you have your truth and if you want to stand up and be heard, you protest. That is your right in this country, and I support that 100 percent.”
SCREAM 7 premiere: about 30 pro-Palestine protestors play drums and horns as they chant that David Ellison and Paramount support genocide and should be boycotted. pic.twitter.com/7B65oGlPaB
— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) February 26, 2026
The protests stem from the highly publicized firing of Melissa Barrera from Scream 7 in November 2023. Barrera was removed from the project following social media posts expressing support for Palestine after the October 2023 Hamas invasion of Israel, as USA TODAY reported. Spyglass Media Group, the production company behind the Scream franchise, released a statement at the time asserting “zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form,” including what they described as “false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”
Organizers from CODEPINK LA stated the demonstration aimed to “raise awareness about the Boycott Scream 7 campaign and urge audiences to refrain from supporting the film,” which is scheduled for release on February 27. A statement from Boycott Scream 7 organizer Nino Testa emphasized the group’s belief that Barrera “is a part of the Scream community” and that This proves their “responsibility to speak out when a member of our community has been harmed.” Testa further stated, “We refuse to let the franchise we love be used as propaganda for a genocide. We reject Hollywood’s racist blacklisting and censorship of any person who advocates for a free Palestine.”
The controversy surrounding Barrera’s departure also led to Jenna Ortega’s subsequent exit from the project. The situation has sparked broader conversations about the responsibilities of actors to remain politically neutral and the potential consequences of expressing personal beliefs on social media.
As of Thursday, February 26, 2026, Paramount Pictures had not responded to a request for comment from The Hollywood Reporter regarding the protests. The release of Scream 7 is proceeding as planned, but the premiere protests signal a potentially challenging box office reception as the film enters its opening weekend. The situation highlights the increasing intersection of entertainment and political activism, and the challenges studios face in navigating sensitive social issues.
The release of Scream 7 will be closely watched to gauge the impact of the boycott campaign and the broader public reaction to the controversy. The film’s performance could set a precedent for how Hollywood handles similar situations in the future, as actors and filmmakers increasingly use their platforms to advocate for social and political causes.
What are your thoughts on the intersection of entertainment and political activism? Share your opinions in the comments below.
