Annie Lennox Gaza ceasefire emotional Sinead O'Connor tribute Grammys

Annie Lennox's plea for peace in Gaza at the 2024 Grammy Awards has sparked a movement backed by numerous artists.

Scottish artist Annie Lennox made a powerful statement at the 2024 Grammy Awards, using her platform to call for peace in Gaza. The 69-year-old singer-songwriter, known for her hit "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" with Eurythmics, ended her performance with a plea for ceasefire, raising her fist in the air and declaring "Artists for ceasefire. Peace in the world." The audience responded with cheers and support for her message.

Lennox's performance included a tribute to her late friend, Irish singer Sinead O'Connor, with a rendition of "Nothing Compares 2 U" as part of the ceremony's In Memoriam montage. Her call for peace in Gaza aligns with the Artists for Ceasefire movement, which emerged in response to the Israel-Gaza War. This collective includes prominent figures from the entertainment industry, such as Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Bella Hadid, and Andrew Garfield, who have all added their names to the movement's message to US president Joe Biden, urging an end to the conflict and a focus on humanitarian aid.

The Artists for Ceasefire statement emphasizes the devastating loss of lives and unfolding horrors in Israel and Palestine, calling for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire to prevent further loss of life. The movement advocates for freedom, justice, dignity, and peace for all people, condemning the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians and urging world leaders to expedite an immediate ceasefire and ensure aid reaches those in need in Gaza.

At the Grammy Awards, Lennox was not the only artist to show support for the movement. The members of the indie supergroup Boygenius - Phoebe Bridgers, Julian Baker, and Lucy Dacus - made a statement on the red carpet by wearing matching white suits adorned with red Artists For Ceasefire pins. This demonstration of solidarity underscores the importance of raising awareness and advocating for peace in the midst of conflict.