When Celebrity Activism Meets Immigration Justice: The Grammy 'ICE OUT' Movement
At this year's Grammy Awards, the most powerful accessory wasn't a diamond necklace or designer clutch. Instead, black-and-white pins bearing the stark message "ICE OUT" transformed the red carpet into a platform for immigration justice activism.
A Star-Studded Stand for Human Rights
Billie Eilish, Justin and Hailey Bieber, Finneas, Kehlani, and songwriter Amy Allen were among the prominent artists who wore these pins at the Crypto.com Arena ceremony. Their collective action represents a growing movement within the entertainment industry to challenge federal immigration enforcement practices.
"We're too powerful of a group to all be in a room at the same time and not make some kind of statement in our country," Kehlani told reporters on the red carpet. Her words capture the essence of what many see as celebrity responsibility in times of social crisis.
Tragedy Sparks Nationwide Movement
The pin campaign emerged in response to the high-profile killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal law enforcement officers. These tragic events have reignited national debates about Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics and Border Patrol operations.
The grassroots initiative, organized by the American Civil Liberties Union, Maremoto, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and Working Families Power, began just 36 hours before the Golden Globes in January. What started as a small effort has grown into a sustained campaign across multiple award shows and cultural events.
Music as Resistance: A Historical Tradition
"Music has been used for a very long time in our country as a form of resistance, opposition, protest, to express the horrors that people have gone through," explains Nelini Stamp, director of strategy at Working Families Power.
This tradition has taken on new urgency during the current political climate. Musicians including Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, and Bruce Springsteen have actively opposed the use of their music in social media posts promoting restrictive immigration policies. Springsteen recently debuted a protest song dedicated to Minneapolis residents affected by federal enforcement actions.
Beyond Symbolism: Building Real Change
Critics often dismiss celebrity activism as mere virtue signaling, but organizers argue these visible displays serve a crucial purpose in movement building. The pins aim to normalize the demand for removing ICE from American communities and inspire viewers to take concrete action.
"I just hope that people see that and say, I could do something if these folks can do something on one of the world's biggest stages," Stamp said.
The Power of Cultural Moments
The Grammy protest follows successful pin campaigns at the Golden Globes, Sundance Film Festival, and other high-profile events. Each appearance builds momentum for policy conversations that extend far beyond entertainment industry circles.
As songwriter Amy Allen noted, award shows provide "big visibility nights" where celebrities can "spread the word and get the message out that obviously change needs to happen in this country in so many ways."
This intersection of pop culture and political activism represents a growing recognition that cultural platforms carry responsibility for addressing systemic injustices. Whether through pins, speeches, or song dedications, artists are increasingly using their visibility to amplify marginalized voices and challenge government policies they view as harmful to vulnerable communities.