A protester with the animal rights organization PETA interfered during Thursday’s premiere of the motion picture Twisters in Los Angeles, as director Lee Isaac Chung and stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell were speaking to the audience prior to the screening.
The incident took place amid a protest which occurred at the Westwood Regency Village Theatre, aimed at a rodeo sequence in the action-adventure film, according to PETA.
A staffer for The Hollywood Reporter who was inside the venue told the outlet that ‘the demonstrator ran down the aisle and rushed the stage’ ahead of the motion picture being screened.
A female protester made her way up to the front of the theater once the audience was seated and waved a sign while yelling, ‘There’s no excuse for animal abuse, the film needs a disclaimer,’ a witness told People.
Security tackled the protester onto the ground and she was placed in handcuffs by police and led away, according to the outlet.
A protester with the animal rights organization PETA interfered during Thursday’s premiere of the motion picture Twisters in Los Angeles in an incident which took place amid a larger protest at the Westwood Regency Village Theatre
The movie’s stars Glen Powell, 35, and Daisy Edgar-Jones, 26, and were speaking to the audience prior to the screening, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The stars were pictured during entrances on Thursday
Once the protester was led away, Powell finished his speech ahead of the film; he gave the microphone to costar Anthony Ramos, 32, who acknowledged the incident, saying, ‘That was a wild intro – I had to say it,’ People reported.
PETA on its X/Twitter on Thursday shared images of the protest at the venue, saying, ‘We demand a disclaimer! @universalpics, it’s time for a reality check. @Twisters’ rodeo date scene glorifies torment, violence, and death of animals.’
Protesters were seen in multiple social media posts demonstrating at the premiere, saying, ‘There’s no excuse for animal abuse,’ while toting signs reading, ‘Stop Glamorizing Rodeos’ and ‘Lasso Tornadoes, Not Animals.’
PETA issued a news release on Tuesday advertising the demonstration in an effort ‘to blast the film for forcing animals to stage distressing scenes that glorify rodeos.’
The organization said its members were calling ‘on Universal Pictures to include a disclaimer in the movie’s credits about the real-life cruelty inherent in the events – in which cows (including calves), horses, and other animals are tormented, maimed, and often killed – and to discourage audiences from attending them.’
In a previous statement on its website, the organization said it wanted moviegoers ‘to consider the exploitation behind the troubling rodeo scenes staged for the movie.
Said PETA: ‘Rodeos provoke and terrorize normally docile animals into appearing fierce and aggressive, using cruel electric prods, flank or bucking straps, and spurs – which burn, wound, or dig into their skin and sensitive tissue. Injuries and death are common for animals in these events.
‘Every reputable animal protection organization opposes rodeos, which is why this summer’s biggest movie should condemn, not glamorize, this blood sport.’
(L-R) Twisters stars Anthony Ramos, 32, Edgar-Jones and Powell, and director Lee Isaac Chung, 45, were pictured during entrances, and were in front of the audience during the interruption
Ramos acknowledged the incident, saying, ‘That was a wild intro – I had to say it!’
Ramos and Powell were seen making their way into the venue on the busy evening
PETA on its X/ Twitter on Thursday shared images of the protest at the venue
Protesters were seen in multiple social media posts demonstrating at the premiere
One demonstrator held a sign that read, ‘Rodeos are waking nightmares for animals’
The motion picture – a standalone sequel to the 1996 movie – also stars Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney, Harry Hadden-Paton, Sasha Lane, Daryl McCormack and Kiernan Shipka.
According to a logline from the film, ‘Two storm chasers on the brink of divorce must work together to create an advanced weather alert system by putting themselves in the cross-hairs of extremely violent tornadoes.’
Twisters opens in theaters nationwide July 17.
