Getting into the 96th Academy Awards has been complicated by the security measures meant to keep pro-Palestinian protesters at a distance. Sources who are waiting to get in said they’ve been stymied. “The entrance of the Oscars has been shut down,” said a source in a tux. “Hundreds of people are stuck.”
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Goes to show that with all the planning in the world, reality sets in and nothing is easy. There is still time, and no sign the start time will be pushed back. We’re told that attendees are getting out of their cars and walking the rest of the way. Numerous stars have not yet materialized, ten minutes before start time. Barbie herself, Margot Robbie, is among those trying to brave the phalanx.
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The pro-Palestinian protesters ended up around the Sunset and Vine area with the streets cordoned off on Sunset and west of McFadden, and consequently also up on Hollywood Blvd. Also cordoned off were usual walkways that are usually opened. Many protesters found themselves down around Highland and Santa Monica, but they were moved aside for it during periods as limousines and SUVs drove up to bring to drop off celebs, attendees and other guests.
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Pretty much all of Hollywood is shut down. In fact, you could call this a full LAPD lockdown of the area. Haven’t really seen anything like this before with two helicopters in the air and walls of cops – just phalanx of cops everywhere around the area. Two open-backed LAPD vans of cops in riot gear were spotted heading south toward the protesters on Sunset near Vine at around 3:30 pm.
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Dominic Patten contributed to this report.
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