Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Golden Globes ceremony was marked by a politically charged atmosphere, with several celebrities wearing anti-ICE pins in response to the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer.
- The pins, which read "BE GOOD" and "ICE OUT", were worn by celebrities such as Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, and Ariana Grande, as a symbol of solidarity with the victims of ICE violence and to call for accountability.
- The idea for the pins began with a late-night text exchange between organizers Nelini Stamp and Jess Morales Rocketto, who aimed to continue a tradition of artists taking a stand for justice in moments of crisis.
- The Trump administration has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump making statements that have been widely contested by eyewitnesses, journalists, and Democratic Party lawmakers.
Introduction to the Incident
The 2026 Golden Globes ceremony was not just a celebration of cinematic and television excellence, but also a platform for celebrities to express their solidarity with the victims of a recent tragic incident. The fatal shooting of Renee Good by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis had sparked widespread protests and outrage across the US, with many calling for accountability and justice. In response to this incident, several celebrities wore pins reading "BE GOOD" and "ICE OUT" to the ceremony, as a symbol of their support for the victims of ICE violence and their demand for an end to the agency’s presence in their communities.
The Anti-ICE Pins
The anti-ICE pins were worn by a number of high-profile celebrities, including Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, Natasha Lyonne, Jean Smart, and Ariana Grande. Jean Smart, who accepted the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical or Comedy TV Series, wore the pin on her dress, making a powerful statement about the need for accountability and justice. The idea for the pins began with a late-night text exchange between Nelini Stamp, an organizer with Working Families Power, and Jess Morales Rocketto, the executive director of a Latino advocacy group called Maremoto. Stamp emphasized the importance of artists and entertainers speaking out on social justice issues, saying "We need every part of civil society, society to speak up… We need our artists. We need our entertainers. We need the folks who reflect society."
The Response to the Incident
The shooting of Renee Good has sparked widespread protests and outrage across the US, with many calling for accountability and justice. Congressmembers have vowed an assertive response, and an FBI investigation into Good’s killing is ongoing. However, the Trump administration has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump making statements that have been widely contested by eyewitnesses, journalists, and Democratic Party lawmakers. Vance called Good’s death "a tragedy of her own making" and described her as "a victim of left-wing ideology", while Trump described her as "very disorderly, obstructing and resisting, who then violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer, who seems to have shot her in self-defense". However, footage of the incident and eyewitness accounts suggest that this narrative is not entirely accurate.
The Broader Context
The shooting of Renee Good is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger pattern of violence and misconduct by ICE officers. Just a week before Good was killed, an off-duty ICE officer fatally shot and killed 43-year-old Keith Porter in Los Angeles, sparking protests in the LA area and calls for the officer responsible to be arrested. The Trump administration’s defense of the ICE officer’s actions in both incidents has been widely criticized, with many arguing that it reflects a broader culture of impunity and disregard for human life within the agency. As the investigation into Good’s killing continues, it remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will be held accountable for its actions, and whether the anti-ICE movement will continue to gain momentum and push for meaningful change.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The 2026 Golden Globes ceremony was a powerful reminder of the importance of solidarity and activism in the face of injustice. The anti-ICE pins worn by celebrities were a symbol of their commitment to speaking out against violence and misconduct, and to demanding accountability and justice for the victims of ICE violence. As the investigation into Renee Good’s killing continues, it is likely that the anti-ICE movement will continue to gain momentum and push for meaningful change. The organizers of the anti-ICE pins have pledged to continue the campaign throughout awards season, ensuring that the public remains aware of the names of Good and others killed by ICE agents in shootings. Ultimately, the outcome of this movement will depend on the willingness of individuals and organizations to speak out and demand justice, and to hold those in power accountable for their actions.