At the recent Golden Globes, a striking display of political activism unfolded on the red carpet as several celebrities chose to wear anti-ICE pins. This poignant act was in memory of Renee Good, who tragically lost her life when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot her while she sat in her car in Minneapolis earlier this week.
The distinctive black-and-white pins bore messages such as "BE GOOD" and "ICE OUT," marking a notable shift towards political engagement at this year's awards ceremony, especially after last year's event which largely shied away from such topics. Among those showcasing these pins was Mark Ruffalo, with expectations that others would join in solidarity as well.
In the wake of Good's shooting on Wednesday, protests erupted nationwide, demanding accountability for her death and addressing another incident in Portland where Border Patrol agents injured two individuals. These demonstrations have sometimes turned confrontational, particularly in Minneapolis, where ICE is currently conducting its most extensive immigration enforcement operation to date.
Nelini Stamp, a representative from Working Families Power and one of the organizers behind the anti-ICE pins, emphasized the importance of collective action, stating, "We need every part of civil society to speak up. We need our artists. We need our entertainers. We need the folks who reflect society."
As for legislative responses, members of Congress have pledged to take strong action, and an ongoing FBI investigation is looking into the circumstances surrounding Good’s death. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has staunchly defended the actions of the ICE officer involved, arguing that he acted out of self-defense under the belief that Good was about to strike him with her vehicle.
Just days prior to Good's tragic death, another off-duty ICE officer shot and killed 43-year-old Keith Porter in Los Angeles, igniting protests in that area demanding justice and the arrest of the responsible officer.
The campaign for the "ICE OUT" pins originated from a late-night conversation between Nelini Stamp and Jess Morales Rocketto, who leads a Latino advocacy group called Maremoto. They are acutely aware that significant cultural events, such as the Golden Globes, can shine a spotlight on pressing social issues, reaching millions of viewers. This marks Morales Rocketto's third year advocating for social justice at the Golden Globes, having previously mobilized Hollywood against the family separation policies of the Trump administration. Stamp drew inspiration from the memorable moment at the 1973 Oscars when Sacheen Littlefeather rejected Marlon Brando's award in protest of the negative portrayals of Native Americans in American cinema.
Together, they began reaching out to celebrities and influential figures within their networks, who then spread the word to more prominent personalities in their circles. The initial outreach included labor leader Ai-jen Poo, who had previously walked the Golden Globes red carpet alongside Meryl Streep in 2018, advocating for the Time’s Up movement.
Stamp pointed out, "There is a longstanding tradition of people who create art taking a stand for justice in moments like these. We’re going to continue that tradition." In the lead-up to the Golden Globes, supporters of this movement have been attending various upscale events, distributing the pins to attendees and encouraging them to wear them during the ceremony.
Morales Rocketto described this grassroots effort, noting how supporters casually offer the pins to friends and acquaintances, saying, "Hey, would you wear this? It’s so grassroots."
The organizers are committed to maintaining this momentum throughout the awards season, ensuring that the names of Renee Good and other victims of fatal encounters with ICE agents stay in the public consciousness.
