Melissa Barrera Reacts to Protesters at "Scream 7"

Protesters gather at the Los Angeles premiere of “Scream 7” on Thursday, February 25th, aiming to boycott the film and Paramount Pictures.

Two years later, after Melissa Barrera’s dismissal from the franchise in 2023 for making pro-Palestinian comments, 25 demonstrators arrived at the premier with flags, drums and bullhorns. They are protesting Paramount’s alleged blacklist of actors who have criticized Israel in the past. The protesters were heard chanting phrases like “Paramount, Paramount, what do you say?” and “Palestine will live forever!”

Just hours after the protest, Melissa Barrera posted an Instagram story with the caption “I See You,” suggesting she was aware of the demonstrations.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the protest was organized by Entertainment Labor for Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace-Los Angeles, and CODEPINK LA, which said in a statement that they wanted to bring “attention to the industry’s widespread silencing of pro-Palestinian voices and its whitewashing of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.”

A group of pro-Palestinian protesters march outside of the LA premiere of Scream 7 tonight in front of the Paramount lot pic.twitter.com/i5umQH7uQf

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 26, 2026

During an interview on the red carpet of the premiere, “Scream 7” director Kevin Williamson shared his thoughts on the protest. “We live in a world where a lot of bad things are happening out there, and I think a lot of people want to be heard and they want to have their voice heard about the bad stuff that’s happening,” Williamson told Variety. “My heart goes out to them. I don’t know if canceling Paramount+ is the way to do it. But I think people should listen to their inner self and do what feels good for them.”

#Scream7 director Kevin Williamson reacts to the pro-Palestine protestors who gathered outside the film’s premiere calling for a boycott:

“We live in a world where a lot of bad things are happening out there, and I think a lot of people want to be heard and they want to have… pic.twitter.com/JpSUhswxF6

— Variety (@Variety) February 26, 2026

Who fired Melissa Barrera from Scream franchise?

Melissa Barrera was let go from the Scream franchise in November 2023 by production company Spyglass Media Group. Spyglass said in a statement shared Nov. 21, 2023, “Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”

Barrera posted on her social media: “Western media only shows the [Israeli] side. Why do they do that, I will let you deduce for yourself,” and, “Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp…First and foremost I condemn Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. I condemn hate and prejudice of any kind against any group of people…As a Latina, a proud Mexicana…I feel the responsibility of having a platform that allows me the privilege of being heard, and therefore I have tried to use it to raise awareness about issues I care about and to lend my voice to those in need.”

She also added, “I will continue to speak out for those that need it most and continue to advocate for peace and safety, for human rights and freedom. Silence is not an option for me.”

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