Lead
On Sunday at the Grammys, prominent musicians and activists made visible protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations tied to the Trump administration, pressing stars to wear “ICE OUT” pins and other symbols. Organizers said the show produced a stronger display of solidarity than recent awards events, reflecting heightened public anger after a Border Patrol officer shot 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti and federal agents detained 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. Performers including Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Kehlani and Rhiannon Giddens displayed protest apparel on the red carpet, while others used gestures and remarks during acceptance speeches. Activists and community groups framed the red carpet actions as part of a broader campaign demanding ICE withdraw from cities and accountability for recent enforcement incidents.
Key Takeaways
- Activists circulated protest pins and materials in the week leading up to the Grammys, aiming to amplify opposition to ICE deployments in Minneapolis and other cities.
- A visibly larger contingent of artists wore or displayed protest items at the Grammys compared with last month’s Golden Globes, organizers said.
- Specific incidents fueling the backlash include the killing of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol officer and the federal detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos.
- Notable artists who displayed protest symbols included Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Kehlani and Rhiannon Giddens; Kehlani also explicitly cursed ICE in an acceptance speech for best R&B performance.
- Justin Vernon of Bon Iver wore a whistle to honor legal observers documenting federal agents’ street actions in Minneapolis.
- Celebrities at Sundance last week — Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde and Zoey Deutch — also wore “ICE OUT” pins, signaling coordinated cultural pressure beyond music awards.
- Organizers and artists warned that managers, record labels or corporate partners can limit red carpet activism, and that some performers face safety and immigration-status concerns despite fame.
Background
The protests at awards-season events come amid an escalation of federal immigration enforcement and public scrutiny. In Minneapolis, community groups say federal agents have been highly visible on city streets; that presence intensified after a Border Patrol officer shot and killed nurse Alex Pretti. Federal detentions, including the case involving a 5-year-old child, Liam Conejo Ramos, added emotional fuel to protests and organizer demands for change.
Cultural figures and advocacy groups have increasingly turned red carpets and film/music festivals into platforms for political expression. Last month’s Golden Globes showed some celebrity pushback, but organizers reported a more robust showing at the Grammys. The pattern continued at Sundance, where actors wore pins and took to interviews to denounce enforcement actions they view as violent or unjust.
Latino advocacy organizations such as Maremoto mobilized teams to produce pins and coordinate outreach to talent and their entourages. Their organizers argue that visible celebrity support can shift public attention and pressure decision-makers, even as artists navigate complex industry relationships and personal safety concerns.
Main Event
In the days before the Grammys, activists worked with artists’ teams to circulate protest pins and messaging at parties and industry gatherings. Organizers said distribution was broader than at the Golden Globes, and volunteers reported high demand for materials among attendees. On the red carpet, multiple musicians chose to wear protest apparel; outlets captured images and social posts amplified their statements throughout the evening.
Kehlani drew attention by directing profanity at ICE during her acceptance speech for best R&B performance, a move that organizers framed as emblematic of the music community’s willingness to speak bluntly. Jason Isbell, Margo Price and Rhiannon Giddens were photographed wearing pins or protest-themed accessories while engaging with press and fans. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver said he wore a whistle in recognition of legal observers who document federal agents’ conduct on the streets of Minneapolis.
At Sundance earlier in the week, Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde and Zoey Deutch wore “ICE OUT” pins on red carpets; Deutch also displayed a “BE GOOD” pin referencing Renee Good, a person activists say was killed by an ICE officer last month. Portman and Wilde described feeling conflicted about celebrating while the incidents were unfolding, and several celebrities used interviews to express solidarity with street protests seeking justice.
Analysis & Implications
The surge in celebrity protest underscores the cultural sector’s capacity to spotlight policy debates and humanitarian concerns. High-profile visibility at awards shows creates news cycles that can amplify grassroots grievances, potentially influencing public opinion and placing additional pressure on elected officials and federal agencies. That said, symbolic gestures do not directly change enforcement policy; they are one component of a broader advocacy strategy that includes litigation, local political pressure and community organizing.
Industry constraints complicate how consistently artists can act. Managers, record labels, fashion houses and corporate sponsors often exert influence over red carpet presentation, and some artists face personal immigration or family-status vulnerabilities. Organizers warn that even wealthy, well-known performers can have mixed-status relatives or visa-related risks that temper what they are willing to display publicly.
The debate also highlights a tactical shift: rather than isolated statements, activists now attempt coordinated actions across festivals and award shows to maintain momentum. If the cultural backlash continues, it could prompt more formal responses from institutions — for example, unions, guilds or festival boards issuing statements — and could affect partnership decisions by brands wary of controversy.
Comparison & Data
| Event | Notable Protesters | Visible Symbols |
|---|---|---|
| Sundance Film Festival (last week) | Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde, Zoey Deutch | “ICE OUT” pins; “BE GOOD” pin |
| Golden Globes (last month) | Smaller visible contingent | Some protest pins |
| Grammys (Sunday) | Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Kehlani, Rhiannon Giddens, Justin Vernon | Protest pins; whistle; on-stage remarks |
The table summarizes publicly reported, observable protests at three awards-season events; it is based on press reports and organizer statements. While the comparison is qualitative rather than numerical, organizers characterized the Grammys as showing a broader, more coordinated celebrity response than the Golden Globes.
Reactions & Quotes
Organizers and artists framed the actions as solidarity with community observers and as part of a broader movement to oppose ICE deployments.
“These pins are about so much more than a red carpet moment.”
Jess Morales Rocketto, Executive Director, Maremoto
Rocketto described the music industry as more likely than some film circles to embrace rebellious or confrontational statements, and she emphasized the organizers’ intent to support grassroots observers on the ground. She also noted logistical and contractual barriers that can prevent artists from displaying protest items.
“I think there’s a reason that music exists and it’s to heal and to bring people together.”
Justin Vernon, Bon Iver
Vernon said the whistle he wore honored legal observers documenting federal agents’ behavior and that musicians can use their platforms to highlight frontline work. His remarks were presented as recognition of volunteers doing documentation and support work in Minneapolis.
“I’m horrified by this string of murders that we are somehow legitimizing and normalizing.”
Olivia Wilde, actor-director
Wilde expressed discomfort at celebrating in the midst of violent incidents that activists attribute to federal enforcement, and she urged peers to leverage their visibility to demand change.
Unconfirmed
- Claims that specific individual artists refused to wear pins due to explicit contractual pressure from record labels or brands remain unverified in public records.
- Reports suggesting which individual artists might be undocumented or have undocumented family members are not independently confirmed and should not be assumed.
- Allegations about planned ICE deployments to particular future performances (beyond public statements about Super Bowl security) have not been fully corroborated by official sources.
Bottom Line
The Grammys illustrated how awards-season platforms continue to serve as venues for political expression, with musicians and organizers using visibility to spotlight concerns about federal immigration enforcement. While red carpet protests are symbolic, they feed broader organizing and media cycles that can influence public debate and pressure policymakers.
Practical impacts on enforcement policy are uncertain: cultural pressure can shift narratives and galvanize supporters, but lasting change typically requires legal, legislative or administrative action. For now, expect coordinated cultural interventions to persist across festivals and awards shows as activists seek to sustain attention and push for accountability.