Key Takeaways:
- Celebrities wore anti-ICE pins at the Golden Globes to tribute Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
- The pins displayed slogans like "BE GOOD" and "ICE OUT," introducing a political angle into the awards show.
- Protests have broken out across the country, calling for accountability for Good’s death and a separate shooting in Portland.
- Congressmembers have vowed an assertive response, and an FBI investigation into Good’s killing is ongoing.
- Organizers plan to continue the campaign throughout awards season to raise awareness about the issue.
Introduction to the Issue
The 2026 Golden Globes ceremony took a political turn when several celebrities donned anti-ICE pins on the red carpet, paying tribute to Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis. The black-and-white pins displayed slogans like "BE GOOD" and "ICE OUT," sparking a conversation about the recent shootings and the need for accountability. Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, and Natasha Lyonne were among the celebrities who wore the pins, while Jean Smart and Ariana Grande donned them inside the ballroom. Smart even wore the pin on her dress as she accepted the award for best performance by a female actor in a musical or comedy series.
Protests and Accountability
Since the shooting, protests have broken out across the country, calling for accountability for Good’s death as well as a separate shooting in Portland where Border Patrol agents wounded two people. Some protests have resulted in clashes with law enforcement, especially in Minneapolis, where ICE is carrying out its largest immigration enforcement operation to date. The Trump administration has defended the ICE officer’s actions, maintaining that he was acting in self-defense and thought Good would hit him with her car. However, Congressmembers have vowed an assertive response, and an FBI investigation into Good’s killing is ongoing. The incident has sparked a national conversation about the use of force by ICE agents and the need for greater accountability.
The Organizers Behind the Pins
The idea for the "ICE OUT" pins began with a late-night text exchange between Nelini Stamp of Working Families Power and Jess Morales Rocketto, the executive director of a Latino advocacy group called Maremoto. They know that high-profile cultural moments can introduce millions of viewers to social issues, and they saw the Golden Globes as an opportunity to raise awareness about the recent shootings. Stamp and Morales Rocketto began calling up celebrities and influencers they knew, who in turn brought their campaign to more prominent figures in their circles. The initial outreach included labor activist Ai-jen Poo, who walked the Golden Globes’ red carpet in 2018 with Meryl Streep to highlight the Time’s Up movement.
Grassroots Efforts
The organizers’ efforts were grassroots in nature, with allies attending "fancy events" leading up to the Golden Globes and passing out pins at parties. They also distributed pins to neighbors who would be attending the ceremony, asking them to wear the pins and spread the message. Morales Rocketto described the effort as "so grassroots," with people putting the pins in their purses and asking others to wear them. The organizers pledged to continue the campaign throughout awards season, ensuring that the public knows the names of Good and others killed by ICE agents in shootings. By using the Golden Globes as a platform, they hope to keep the issue in the public eye and push for greater accountability.
The Power of Celebrity Activism
The use of celebrity activism to raise awareness about social issues is not new, and Stamp cited the 1973 Oscars as an example of how high-profile cultural moments can be used to bring attention to important causes. Sacheen Littlefeather took Marlon Brando’s place and declined his award to protest American entertainment’s portrayal of Native Americans, sparking a national conversation about representation and diversity. Similarly, the "ICE OUT" pins at the Golden Globes aimed to introduce millions of viewers to the issue of ICE violence and the need for accountability. By leveraging the power of celebrity activism, the organizers hope to create a movement that will continue beyond the awards season.
Conclusion
The 2026 Golden Globes ceremony was marked by a powerful display of solidarity and activism, as celebrities wore anti-ICE pins to tribute Renee Good and raise awareness about the recent shootings. The organizers behind the pins, Nelini Stamp and Jess Morales Rocketto, used a grassroots approach to spread their message, leveraging the power of celebrity activism to introduce millions of viewers to the issue. As the campaign continues throughout awards season, it remains to be seen what impact it will have on the national conversation about ICE violence and accountability. However, one thing is clear: the use of high-profile cultural moments to raise awareness about social issues is a powerful tool, and the "ICE OUT" pins at the Golden Globes are just the beginning.
