‘SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME’: HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS MELISSA BARRERA

Thu 23 October 2023:

Melissa Barrera, who was axed from a Hollywood movie earlier this week for her pro-Palestine posts, said “silence is not an option for me”.

Following the news of her firing from a Scream sequel, Barrera wrote on Instagram: “First and foremost, I condemn antisemitism and Islamophobia. I condemn hate and prejudice of any kind against any group of people.”

“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,” she added.

The production company Spyglass told Variety on Tuesday that Barrera was not fired due to her support for Palestinians but that her posts on social media were interpreted as being anti-Semitic, which they have “zero tolerance” for.

“I believe a group of people are NOT their leadership, and that no governing body should be above criticism. I pray day and night for no more deaths, for no more violence, and for peaceful co-existence,” Barrera 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.”

Melissa Barrera has released a statement after she was fired from ‘SCREAM 7’ for being vocal about the genocide happening in Palestine.

“Silence is not an option for me.” pic.twitter.com/aEnowhRuDy

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) November 23, 2023

The new post comes a day after Spyglass Media Group — the production company behind the Scream films — fired Barrera following her social media posts in support of Palestine amid the Israel-Hamas war, claiming they have “zero tolerance” for antisemitism.

“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,” a Spyglass spokesperson said in a statement to Variety.

Since the Israel-Hamas war erupted on Oct. 7, the Mexican actress has been sharing pro-Palestine messaging, including a “Compassion Must Prevail” image with a caption pleading that President Joe Biden “call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza.”

Also on Wednesday, several news outlets reported that Ortega will not be returning but that her departure was “apparently not influenced” by Barrera’s firing, though the timing leaves room for speculation that there may be more to the story.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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