On Jan. 7, Rene Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother exercising her right as a legal observer to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, was shot and killed by federal agent Jonathan Ross while in her car.
She was the second death at the hands of ICE in the new year, following the killing of Keith Porter Jr. by an off-duty ICE agent. Three days after Good, two more people were shot and injured by border patrol agents attempting an arrest in Portland, Oregon.
Over the last year, at least 32 individuals have died while in ICE custody, the deadliest year on record for the agency. Under direction from the Trump administration, ICE and border patrol agents ramped up aggressive tactics intended to meet elevated deportation demands, including conducting raids of protected areas like school grounds, hospitals, and places of worship.
Many Americans have protested ICE's actions, with some pundits likening the agency's actions to those of a domestic militia.
Last night, the protests finally hit the entertainment industry, as celebrities attending the annual Golden Globe Awards joined a much more subtle declaration of anti-ICE sentiment in the form of small lapel pins emblazoned with the phrase "Be Good" and "ICE Out."
The pins are part of a new #BeGood campaign, launched by a grassroots coalition of civil rights and immigration organizations in an effort to honor the memory of Good, Porter, and others who have faced violence at the hands of ICE agents. The coalition includes ACLU, Working Families Power, National Domestic Workers Alliance, Maremoto, MoveOn, and entertainment industry leaders.
In an interview with NPR, organizers explained that they relied on a network of fellow activists with ties to Hollywood to distribute pins at industry events and get celebrities on board. "There is a longstanding tradition of people who create art taking a stand for justice in moments. We're going to continue that tradition," Nelini Stamp, organizer with Working Families Power, told the publication.
Celebrities use Golden Globes to show support for immigrant communities
Mark Ruffalo
Nominee Ruffalo, a vocal activist who also donned pins calling for ceasefire in the war-torn Gaza strip at last year's Oscars ceremony, told interviewers that he couldn't pretend that the situation was "normal."
"This for [Rene Good]. This is for the people in the United States who are terrorized and scared today. I know I'm one of them," said Ruffalo. "I love this country and what I'm seeing here happening is not America... I don't know how I can be quiet."
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Jean Smart
Smart, who took home an award for her role in Hacks, told interviewers: "I feel like we're kind of at a turning point in our country and I hope people can keep their heads, because I think that's actually going to be the hardest thing, to keep our heads, but that's going to take a lot of courage and a lot of restraint." While accepting the Globe, Smart continued: "There’s so much that could be said tonight. I said my rant on the red carpet, so I won’t do it here. Let’s all do the right thing. I think everybody in their hearts knows what the right thing is to do, so let’s do the right thing."
Wanda Sykes
"Of course this is for the mother who was murdered by an ICE agent, and it’s really sad," Sykes told reporters. "I know people are out marching and all today, and we need to speak up. We need to be out there and shut this rogue government down, because it’s just awful what they’re doing to people."
Natasha Lyonne
Lyonne added the pin to a small clutch toted around the carpet. When asked about the pin, Lyonne said: "I just think it’s important that we don’t normalize what’s going on in this country right now. I love America. I love our communities, free speech, the Trevor Project, and all that. So I think it’s important. Rene Good. Say her name."
Tessa Thompson
Like Lyonne, Thompson pinned two #BeGood campaign pins to her coordinating bag. The Best Actress nominee also reshared images of the pins to her Instagram account. Earlier this year, Thompson joined Los Angeles protests against mass deportations.
Ariana Grande
The Wicked: For Good star didn't appear to wear the pin during the red carpet photo call, but did put an "ICE Out" pin in center focus during the ceremony, along with other stars who waited until the live broadcast started. Grande is also listed by the ACLU as a campaign participant.
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Bella Ramsey
Ramsey, who has been outspoken about industry inclusivity and joined last year's calls for a ceasefire in Palestine, also donned an "ICE Out" pin once in the Golden Globes ceremony.
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