Celebrities Speak Out Against ICE After Recent Violence
Celebrities like Olivia Wilde and Natalie Portman have voiced their concerns regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the shooting of Alex Preti, a 37-year-old anti-ICE protester in Minneapolis. This marks the second incident of violence against protesters in just a month.
While promoting her film, *The Invite*, at the Sundance Film Festival, Wilde wore an “ICE OUT” pin and described the situation as “horrible.” She expressed, “We’re all here to celebrate something beautiful and hopeful in cinematic storytelling, but now the world is hurting, and it’s scary.”
Continuing, she said, “I’m shocked and nauseous. We can’t just accept this as normal. It’s outrageous. People are being murdered, and I don’t want to normalize seeing this kind of violence.” Wilde emphasized the need to take action against what she described as a “criminal organization.”
She expressed inspiration from the nationwide anti-ICE protests, noting, “So many Americans are speaking out. It’s dangerous, but people are still marching, which is incredibly encouraging.”
Reactions to Wilde’s statements varied on social media. Some praised her courage, while others criticized her, with one person suggesting a boycott against her. Comments included sentiments of disbelief about Hollywood’s activism, with remarks like, “Your virtue signaling doesn’t work anymore.”
Portman also addressed these issues at the festival while promoting her film, *The Gallerist*. She remarked, “We’re at a devastating moment in our country’s history” and criticized ICE’s brutality, emphasizing the importance of community support in these trying times. “It’s bittersweet to celebrate our achievements amid such suffering in our nation,” she added.
Earlier this month, several celebrities wore anti-ICE pins during the Golden Globe Awards. This was shortly after the shooting death of protester Renee Nicole Good. Notable figures like Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, and Jean Smart stood in solidarity with pins featuring messages like “BE GOOD” and “ICE OUT.”
The “BE GOOD” campaign aims to honor the victims of violence while encouraging kindness in challenging times. Sykes remarked on the necessity of making voices heard against what she called a “rogue government.” She expressed sorrow for the current situation, highlighting the urgency of the protests.
As discussions continue on social media about the political statements made by celebrities, reactions remain mixed. Some users commend their bravery, while others label them as hypocrites. The divergence of opinions underscores the complexity surrounding celebrity activism.
