Twisters Los Angeles premiere attracts protests from PETA activists with one person placed in handcuffs and led away after disruption ahead of screening

A protester from animal rights group PETA disrupted the Los Angeles premiere of the film Twisters on Thursday, while director Lee Isaac Chung and stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell addressed the audience before the screening.

The incident occurred during a protest at the Westwood Regency Village Theatre, targeting a rodeo scene in the action film, PETA reported.

An employee for The Hollywood Reporter who was in the audience told the newspaper that “the protester ran down the aisle and onto the stage” before the film was shown.

A female protester walked to the front of the theater once the audience was seated and waved a sign while shouting, “There is no excuse for animal cruelty, the film needs a disclaimer,” a witness said. People.

According to the outlet, the protester was forced to the ground by security, after which police handcuffed her and took her away.

The film’s stars, Glen Powell, 35, and Daisy Edgar-Jones, 26, spoke to the audience before the screening, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The stars were photographed making entrances on Thursday

After the protester was led away, Powell finished his speech before the film began. He passed the microphone to co-star Anthony Ramos, 32, who acknowledged the incident and said, “That was a wild intro — I had to say it,” People reported.

PETA shared footage of the protest at the location on its X/Twitter on Thursday, writing, “We demand a disclaimer! @universalpics it’s time for a reality check. @Twisters rodeo date scene glorifies the torture, violence, and death of animals.”

In multiple social media posts, protesters were seen at the premiere chanting, “There is no excuse for animal cruelty,” while holding signs reading, “Stop glorifying rodeos” and “Lasso tornadoes, not animals.”

PETA issued a press release on Tuesday announcing the demonstration in an effort “to criticize the film for forcing animals to stage terrifying scenes that glorify rodeos.”

The organization said its members “called on Universal Pictures to include a disclaimer in the film’s credits about the real-life cruelty inherent in the events — in which cows (including calves), horses and other animals are tortured, mutilated and often killed — and to discourage the public from visiting the events.”

In an earlier statement on her websiteThe organization said it wanted moviegoers “to consider the exploitation behind the disturbing rodeo scenes staged for the film.

PETA said: ‘Rodeos typically provoke and terrorize domesticated animals into appearing ferocious and aggressive, using cruel electric prods, flank or buck straps, and spurs — which burn, injure, or dig into their skin and sensitive tissues. Injury and death are common among animals at these events.

“Every reputable animal protection organization is against rodeos. That’s why the biggest movie of the summer should condemn this bloody sport, not glorify it.”

(L-R) Twisters stars Anthony Ramos, 32, Edgar-Jones and Powell, and director Lee Isaac Chung, 45, were photographed making entrances and standing in front of the audience during the intermission

Ramos acknowledged the incident, saying, “That was a wild intro — I had to say it!”

Ramos and Powell were spotted entering the venue on the busy evening

PETA shared footage of the protest at the location on its X/Twitter on Thursday

There were several social media posts showing protesters demonstrating at the premiere

A protester held a sign that read: ‘Rodeos are waking nightmares for animals’

The film, a standalone sequel to the 1996 film, also stars Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney, Harry Hadden-Paton, Sasha Lane, Daryl McCormack and Kiernan Shipka.

According to a film’s logline, “two storm chasers on the verge of divorce must work together to create an advanced weather warning system by placing themselves in the crosshairs of extremely violent tornadoes.”

Twisters will be in cinemas across the country from July 17.