Some attendees on the Oscars red carpet used the moment to send political messages, and organizers emphasized safety as officials responded to an earlier FBI alert — with the phrase no a la guerra appearing in public expressions of protest and concern.
No A La Guerra: Red Carpet Pins and Visible Protests
While thousands gathered at the Dolby Theatre, activists opposed to the immigration enforcement agency used the high-profile event to condemn recent shootings linked to that agency. The actress Glennon Doyle carried a black beaded handbag embroidered with “F— ICE” and attended alongside her partner, the Olympic soccer champion Abby Wambach.
Other guests sported coordinated pins reading “ICE OUT. ” Author Andrea Berentsen Ottmar wore one of the brooches, the singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles wore a circular white pin with a similar message, and Malgosia Turzanska also pinned the message to her dress. The appearances placed immigration-enforcement criticisms squarely on the Oscar red carpet amid heightened public attention.
Security Preparations and the FBI Alert
Organizers framed the visible protests against the backdrop of increased security preparations. Producers Katy Mullan and Raj Kapoor said at a press conference that they wanted all attendees and fans to “feel safe, protected and welcome, ” and added that they had the support of the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department while working closely with law enforcement. “This event has to run smoothly, ” Kapoor said, and the production team’s role is to ensure that a sense of safety translates for those attending.
The heightened precautions followed an FBI alert to California law enforcement about a possible retaliatory drone attack tied to Iran. The advisory stated that “recently we obtained information” indicating that Iran allegedly intended to carry out a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the U. S. coast in California if the United States struck at Iranian targets.
The alert concluded that there was no additional information on the timing, method, target or perpetrators of the alleged attack, leaving many specifics unresolved even as agencies raised their readiness levels.
Local Officials Say They Are Prepared
The governor of California acknowledged the threat and said he was in ongoing coordination with security and intelligence officials, noting preparations for potential emergencies while stating there was no knowledge of any imminent danger at that time. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it remained at an elevated state of preparedness and increased vigilance, working closely with federal and local law enforcement partners to share intelligence, monitor the Middle East conflict and assess any potential impact on communities.
The combination of visible political messages on the red carpet and the ongoing security posture underscored how a major entertainment event intersected with national security concerns and public protest. Organizers said they were focused on delivering a safe event, while officials continued to monitor the advisory and the evolving situation.
