Main Street in Park City braces for Gaza War protest amidst Sundance Film Festival

(L) A view of Main Street during the Sundance Film Festival. Sundance Institute | Photo by Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet. (R) People gathering on street during daytime. Photo: Rami Gzon

'While the organizers are non-affiliated with the Sundance Film Festival itself, the safety and security of our festival goers is always of concern to us, and we consistently work with local law enforcement to uphold an environment that is welcoming, inspiring, and secure for all our attendees.'

PARK CITY, Utah — A pro-Palestinian protest is scheduled for noon on Sunday, Jan. 21, durring the Sundance Film Festival. The demonstration set to gather on Park City Main Street, named “Let Gaza Live,” coincides with a Sundance-partnered panel discussing “deadly tropes about Jews and Israel on TV, Film, and Media.” This panel, presented by the American Orthodox Jewish nonprofit organization Jew in the City, is not an official part of the festival’s programming.

The protest organizers, communicating through social media, emphasized their intention for a peaceful demonstration saying “No hatred or violence will be tolerated”. They expressed a desire to draw attention to the situation in Gaza, stating, “While bombs are dropping, the people cannot continue watching films on their screens while ignoring a genocide in Gaza.”

Deadline reports that representatives from the Sudance Institute “Have also been made aware of the demonstration and its commitment to maintaining a peaceful environment. While the organizers are non-affiliated with the Festival itself, the safety and security of our festival goers is always of concern to us, and we consistently work with local law enforcement to uphold an environment that is welcoming, inspiring, and secure for all our attendees.”