Key Takeaways
- Celebrities wore anti-ICE pins at the Golden Globes to honor Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis
- The pins featured slogans such as "BE GOOD" and "ICE OUT" to protest immigration enforcement tactics
- The demonstration represents Hollywood’s response to intensifying scrutiny of ICE following Good’s death and other incidents
- Over 1,000 protests took place nationwide demanding ICE accountability and removal from communities
- An FBI investigation into Good’s killing is ongoing, and members of Congress have pledged an assertive response
Introduction to the Protest
The 2023 Golden Globes ceremony saw a return to political activism, with several celebrities wearing anti-ICE pins to honor Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis earlier this week. The black-and-white pins featured slogans including "BE GOOD" and "ICE OUT," and were worn by actors Mark Ruffalo, comedian and actress Wanda Sykes, and actress Natasha Lyonne, among others. This display of solidarity marked a significant moment in the awards show, which had been largely apolitical in previous years.
The Incident that Sparked the Protest
The protest was sparked by the death of Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed in her car by an ICE officer on Wednesday in Minneapolis. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability, with over 1,000 protests taking place nationwide over the weekend. The protests, which were coordinated by groups including the ACLU, the 50501 Movement, and Indivisible, demanded ICE accountability and removal from communities. Most protests remained peaceful, although a Friday night demonstration outside a Minneapolis hotel where ICE agents are reportedly staying turned violent, with protesters shattering windows and spraying graffiti before police deployed around 100 state troopers.
The Response from Authorities
The Department of Homeland Security has defended the Minneapolis shooting as self-defense, while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and other Democratic leaders have sharply criticized the agency’s actions and called for ICE to leave the city. The Trump administration has also defended the ICE officer’s actions, with President Trump posting on Truth Social that Good "violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer" who "seems to have shot her in self-defense." However, an FBI investigation into Good’s killing is currently ongoing, and members of Congress have pledged an assertive response.
The Broader Context
The Golden Globes demonstration represents Hollywood’s response to intensifying scrutiny of immigration enforcement tactics following Good’s death and other incidents. Just one week before Good’s death, an off-duty ICE officer fatally shot 43-year-old Keith Porter in Los Angeles, sparking additional protests calling for the officer’s arrest. The DHS deployment in Minneapolis represents the agency’s largest immigration enforcement operation ever, with more than 2,000 officers participating. The pin campaign originated from a late-night text exchange between Nelini Stamp of Working Families Power and Jess Morales Rocketto, executive director of Latino advocacy group Maremoto, who mobilized their network of celebrities and influencers to distribute pins at pre-awards parties and events throughout the week.
The Impact of the Protest
The Golden Globes protest brings national attention to the incidents at a critical moment, as the country grapples with the issue of immigration enforcement and accountability. The demonstration also highlights the power of celebrity activism, with many stars using their platform to raise awareness about social justice issues. The pin campaign, which was organized by Morales Rocketto for the third year in a row, has become an effective way for Hollywood to protest the Trump administration’s policies, including the family separation policies that sparked outrage in previous years.
What’s Next
The Golden Globes ceremony began at 8 p.m. ET and was watched by millions on CBS or streamed on Paramount+. As the investigation into Good’s killing continues, it remains to be seen how the incident will impact the national conversation around immigration enforcement and accountability. However, one thing is clear: the Golden Globes protest has brought attention to the issue and sparked a national conversation about the need for accountability and reform. With the FBI investigation ongoing and members of Congress pledging an assertive response, it is likely that this issue will continue to be a major topic of discussion in the coming weeks and months.