Jewish activists rally for Gaza cease-fire, shut down Hollywood intersection

By Jeremy ChildsStaff Writer

Nov. 15, 2023 Updated 8:28 PM PT

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Jewish activist groups organized a rally that shut down the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue on Wednesday, a move of civil disobedience as they advocated for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Protesters participate in a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war at De Longpre Park

Hundreds attended the protest, most of them wearing black. The Los Angeles Police Department said at about 5:30 p.m. that traffic was closed around the demonstration, with protesters sitting in the intersection.

Hollywood Boulevard was shut down between Orange Drive and Las Palmas Avenue, while Highland Avenue was closed from Franklin Place to Sunset Boulevard.

The rally was co-organized by the groups IfNotNow and Jewish Voice for Peace, both of which are urging a ceasefire in Gaza. Participants at the event were holding signs reading, “Jews say no to genocide,” and chanting, “Rain or shine, Free Palestine!” amid Wednesday’s rainstorm.

The event began in De Longpre Park in Los Angeles at 2:30 p.m., with participants gathering before marching to the intersection in the heart of Hollywood.

By 7:50 p.m., the protesters had cleared the intersection, and traffic had resumed. No arrests were made as a result of the event.

“The Demonstration was peaceful and participants have cleared the scene,” LAPD posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Thank you for your patience.”

Protesters participate in a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war

Although the Hollywood protest proceeded without incident, a similar protest advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza that was happening concurrently outside the Democratic National Headquarters in Washington, D.C., did not. The Washington rally erupted into violence Wednesday night, with Capitol police tussling with and arresting participants. Members of both IfNotNow and Jewish Voice for Peace were reported to be among those in attendance.

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Jeremy Childs

Jeremy Childs is the former night reporter on the Fast Break Desk, the Los Angeles Times’ breaking news team. Before joining the newsroom in 2023, he worked at the Ventura County Star, where he covered breaking news and most recently served as the newspaper’s East Ventura County reporter. Childs grew up in Newbury Park and graduated from Occidental College with a degree in English and comparative literary studies.

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Jewish activists rallying for Gaza cease-fire shut down Hollywood intersection

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