A group of pro-Palestine protestors gathered outside the Scream 7 premiere in LA, prompting a classy response from director Kevin Williamson. Paramount would probably rather we forget about the firing of actor Melissa Barrera in 2023, but a group of protesters served as a timely reminder as Scream 7 made its LA premiere on the ... Scream 7 | LA Premiere interrupted by pro-Palestinian protestors
A group of pro-Palestine protestors gathered outside the Scream 7 premiere in LA, prompting a classy response from director Kevin Williamson.
Paramount would probably rather we forget about the firing of actor Melissa Barrera in 2023, but a group of protesters served as a timely reminder as Scream 7 made its LA premiere on the 25th February.
As stars gathered on the Paramount Studios lot for the Wednesday event, a group of 25 or so pro-Palestine demonstrators emerged, waving flags, chanting and holding placards, as reported by several outlets including THR.
Slogans on signs included “Cancel Paramount+” and “Paramount has a blacklist of actors who criticize Israel.”
The demonstrations were coordinated by pressure groups Entertainment Labor for Palestine, CODEPINK LA and Jewish Voice for Peace-Los Angeles, and stem in part from Barrera’s above-mentioned firing.
In November 2023, production company Spyglass Media abruptly fired the actor from Scream 7 after she shared social media posts in support of Palestine, which Israel had invaded a month earlier.
Thereafter, co-star Jenna Ortega left the production, and director Christopher Landon headed for the exit months later. With that, a planned three-film story arc about Barrera and Ortega’s characters fell apart. Scream screenwriter Kevin Williamson was brought in to cobble together a sequel without them, and filming began in January 2025.
Read more: Scream 7 review | Can Neve Campbell’s return save the franchise?
“We believe that Melissa Barrera is a part of the Scream community and that it’s our responsibility to speak out when a member of our community has been harmed,” protest organiser Nino Testa, wrote in a statement shared by THR. “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.”
As Scream 7’s premiere unfolded to the distant sound of shouts and trumpets, Kevin Williamson gave THR a classy reaction to the protests.
“I saw them and my heart just sort of stopped,” he said. “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 stand by it. I support that 100 percent.”
Scream 7 is in UK cinemas from the 27th February.
