NORFOLK, Va. — A number of pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted Jerry Seinfeld during his stand-up performance at Norfolk's Chrysler Hall Saturday night.
In a statement to 13News Now, the venue's management company, SevenVenues, said they were disappointed in the outburst during the stand-up comedian's set.
"We are deeply disappointed that a group of protestors disrupted tonight’s sold-out Jerry Seinfeld performance at Chrysler Hall. SevenVenues stands by its policy to remove hecklers and those who disrupt a performance, and will continue to protect the freedom of its patrons to enjoy an artist of their choosing without disruption," a spokesperson for SevenVenues said.
A video circulating on social media shows an attendee at Saturday's show interrupting Seinfeld, shouting "Save the children of Gaza!" The crowd can be heard booing the protester and ordering him to "get out."
The protester continued, saying Seinfeld is a "genocide supporter" and that the audience should be "ashamed" of themselves. The video appears to show some kind of physical altercation between the protester and another person in the audience. Someone in the crowd eventually pleads for the protester to be let go, saying "You're going to break his neck."
Seinfeld could be heard in the video reacting to the incident from the stage.
Norfolk resident Ethan Ayoub, an attendee of the event, told 13News Now he witnessed at least six separate interruptions during the 7:30 p.m. show. Some protesters were in the balcony area and others in seating below, he said, and all were removed from the venue by security.
There were no reports of incidents during Seinfeld's second stand-up performance of the night at 9:30 p.m.
Norfolk police confirmed their officers did responded to Chrysler Hall Saturday night, but said there were no arrests during this incident.
The disruption comes less than a week after dozens of Duke University students walked out during their commencement ceremony where Seinfeld was speaking. Many of the students protesting waved Palestinian flag while chanting "Free Palestine," the Associated Press reported.
Seinfeld has publicly supported Israel since the attack on October 7.