Aurora public commentator urges city to ask Paramount to drop Jerry Seinfeld from gala

Natalie, representing the Suburban Workers United for Justice Coalition, told the Aurora City Council during public comment that the city should formally ask the Paramount Theater to remove Jerry Seinfeld as the headliner for an upcoming benefit gala. "We are here today to ask the Aurora City Council to formally request that the Paramount Theater remove Jerry Seinfeld as the headliner for its upcoming benefit gala," she said.

Natalie said hosting Seinfeld would conflict with Aurora’s commitments to solidarity and justice, and argued his public support for Israel’s military actions causes harm. "Seinfeld is not just a comedian with an opinion, but he has openly supported the Israeli military at a time when thousands of Palestinian civilian families, workers, students, and entire communities are being killed and displaced," she said, adding that major human-rights organizations have documented apartheid and other abuses.

She asked the council to consider the community’s repeated requests that the Paramount diversify programming and not provide a platform for someone she said "stands behind that" violence. Natalie cited local incidents — including the killing of a Palestinian child in Plainfield — as evidence that the issue is not abstract.

Council did not take action on the request during the meeting. The comment was made during the public-comment period and recorded on the council’s agenda for this session; no council motion or vote about the Paramount booking was entered into the record.