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Celebrities Protest ICE at Golden Globes Following Fatal Minneapolis Shooting

2026-01-12

The BareStory

Attendees at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday used the event to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the recent death of Renée Nicole Good. Stars such as Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, Jean Smart, and Ariana Grande appeared on the red carpet and during the ceremony wearing pins with slogans including "BE GOOD" and "ICE OUT."

The protest was a response to a January 7 incident in Minneapolis in which an ICE officer shot and killed Good. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are disputed. The Department of Homeland Security stated the agent acted in self-defense, alleging Good swerved her vehicle toward the officer in what the agency described as "an act of domestic terrorism." Conversely, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the officer's actions, and Sykes characterized the event as a "mother who was murdered by an ICE agent," calling for the government agency to be shut down.

Public reaction to the demonstration was mixed. While some observers praised the protest, others criticized the celebrities involved. In a related interview, actor Billy Bob Thornton argued against bringing politics to award shows, suggesting that winners should use their time to express gratitude rather than promote causes. According to the campaign's description, the pins were intended to honor Good and Keith Porter while encouraging civic engagement.

Left Perspective

  • The shooting of Renée Nicole Good is characterized by critics as an unjustified killing that warrants condemnation.
  • Demands are being made for the complete dissolution of the immigration enforcement agency.
  • The award ceremony is viewed as a vital platform for honoring victims and promoting civic engagement.

Right Perspective

  • Federal authorities maintain that the officer involved in the shooting was acting in self-defense.
  • The actions of the deceased have been described by officials as constituting domestic terrorism.
  • Entertainment industry events are considered by some to be inappropriate venues for political activism.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• Viewers of major entertainment broadcasts may encounter increased advocacy for civic engagement as celebrities leverage these platforms to protest federal agency actions.

• Demands from high-profile figures to dissolve Immigration and Customs Enforcement may drive continued public debate regarding the agency's future and its operational standards.

• Conflicting narratives between Minneapolis leadership and the Department of Homeland Security regarding the shooting could impact how federal agents operate within local jurisdictions.

• Audiences may witness ongoing friction within the entertainment sector regarding the appropriateness of using award shows for political messaging versus strictly honoring professional achievements.

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