During the Light of Day Music Festival in New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen, the renowned 1980s rock artist, dedicated his song “Promised Land” to activist Renee Nicole Goode, known for her anti-ICE stance. He referred to ICE as the “Gestapo” and “murderers,” urging law enforcement to eliminate their presence in Minnesota permanently.
Springsteen made a surprise appearance alongside Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, addressing the audience with, “We need to deliver a message to this president. As the city’s mayor stated, ICE has to go from Minneapolis once and for all. This is for you, in honor of Renee Goode, a mother of three and an American citizen.”
Before performing another song, which he remarked was one of his finest, he expressed a desire to stay in the moment, noting, “I wrote it as a tribute to what America could achieve.” He added that it was for “the beautiful yet imperfect country we live in and the potential for what we can become.”
“We are living in remarkably pivotal times. America’s values and ideals, which have endured for 250 years, are under unprecedented scrutiny,” he stated. “Never before have those ideals been so at risk.”
He then made sharp criticisms of the federal government.
“As we gather tonight in this wonderful display of compassion and community… If you champion democracy, if you value freedom… If you believe the truth is significant, worth advocating for, and fighting for… If you maintain that everyone is subject to the law, and that no one is above it… If you disagree with heavily armed federal forces invading American cities to confront citizens… If you resist Gestapo-style tactics employed by our own… if you think you shouldn’t have to face deadly consequences for your views… I’m urging you to exercise your right to protest… and make your voice heard to this president. And, just as the mayor of that city pointed out, ICE needs to be removed from Minneapolis. This is dedicated to you and Renee Goode, a mother of three and an American citizen.
Renee Goode was tragically shot on January 7th in Minneapolis after allegedly attempting to run over an ICE agent with her SUV.
