NORFOLK, Va. — Over the weekend, pro-Palestinan protestors heckled Jerry Seinfeld during his stand-up show at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk.
Cell phone video captured the moment a demonstrator was escorted out of the venue during Seinfeld’s 7:30 p.m. show.
“We heard the first genocide supporter yell. It was like six separate spots. Some were on the balcony, some were on the floor,” said Ethan Ayoub, a Norfolk resident who attended the Seinfeld show.
Ayoub said he didn't see any protesters outside of the venue. However, once inside, Ayoub heard the protestors disrupting the performance.
“There were about six separate incidents of people yelling in the occupation, genocide supporter, free Gaza save the Gaza children stuff like that,” said Ayoub.
Since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, Seinfeld has publicly supported Israel.
Virginian Russell Garrett also attended the show with his wife. He said his son bought the tickets as a gift for his parents. He applauded the venue for removing the protestors swiftly.
“It could have potentially boiled over to be something ugly, but it could have stopped the show if it hadn’t been controlled properly,” said Garrett.
Garrett said most of the crowd applauded security for removing the protestors, but he and Ayoub have mixed feelings about the incident.
“I felt bad for other people who were there that paid good money [for] an inexpensive show,” said Garrett. “I mean, I didn’t pay for those tickets they were gifted to me, but those were over $200 apiece. I imagined people who spent their money to go and have it disrupted would be pretty bad.”
Meanwhile, Ayoub said, “I’m glad someone spoke up, but there are times and places, but a couple are okay. Protestors are supposed to be interruptions of normal day-to-day life.”
Norfolk police confirmed their officers did responded to Chrysler Hall Saturday night, but said there were no arrests during this incident.