At the Golden Globes this past Sunday, several celebrities wore anti-ICE pins in memory of Renee Good, who was tragically shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier that week. The pins featured slogans like “BE GOOD” and “ICE OUT,” adding a political touch to the often glamorous event, which was less politically charged last year.
Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, and Natasha Lyonne sported the pins on the red carpet. Inside the venue, Jean Smart wore one while accepting her award for best performance in a musical or comedy series.
Since Good’s shooting, protests have erupted nationwide, demanding justice. Demonstrators are also calling attention to another recent incident in Portland where Border Patrol agents injured two people. In Minneapolis, protests have turned tense, coinciding with ICE’s largest immigration enforcement operation to date.
Nelini Stamp from Working Families Power, who helped organize the pin campaign, emphasized the need for all of society to stand up for justice. “We need our artists, our entertainers,” she said. “They reflect the voice of the people.”
The outcry over these incidents has caught political attention. Congress members are promising to take action, while the FBI is investigating Good’s death. Despite this, the Trump administration has backed the ICE officer’s actions, claiming self-defense as the reason for the shooting.
This tragedy is not isolated. Just a week prior, another off-duty ICE officer shot and killed Keith Porter in Los Angeles, sparking local protests for accountability.
The idea for the “ICE OUT” pins came about through a late-night conversation between Stamp and Jess Morales Rocketto, a director of a Latino advocacy group. They recognized the power of high-profile events like the Golden Globes to shine a spotlight on pressing social issues. This isn’t the first time such activism made its mark at award shows; Morales Rocketto recalls the 1973 Oscars when Sacheen Littlefeather declined Marlon Brando’s Oscar to protest portrayals of Native Americans in Hollywood.
As organizers spread the word about the pins, they engaged celebrities to amplify their message. They’ve handed out pins at events leading up to the Globes, creating a grassroots movement to raise awareness of those killed by ICE agents.
“This is a tradition of artists standing up for justice,” Stamp stated. The campaign will continue throughout award season to keep the names of victims like Good in public discourse.
In today’s world, movements like this are crucial. Recent data shows that public awareness often pushes lawmakers to take action. For instance, a study indicated that 75% of Americans are more willing to support policy changes when they see celebrities engage in advocacy. This is evidence of how cultural moments can lead to real change.
For continued updates on this ongoing issue and more on the Golden Globes, visit AP News.
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