Wyatt Russell Clarifies Viral Protest Misidentification
Actor Wyatt Russell, whose parents are stars Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, recently addressed confusion after someone mistook him for a law enforcement officer during an anti-ICE protest in Los Angeles.
A clip began circulating online, depicting a bearded man resembling Russell, confronting National Guard members. The protester in the video was wearing a black sweatshirt and a baseball cap, passionately yelling at the guards. Voices in the background accused the National Guard of being on the “wrong side of history.” It was an intense scene, with the unnamed man shouting, “Your attack rifle and your stick should stand here with us.”
“We know you’ve got a job to do, but you pledged allegiance to the Constitution, not to a ‘fascist’ White House,” the man continued, urging the guards to reconsider their actions.
As the video went viral, many viewers mistakenly believed the protester was Russell, which prompted his spokesperson to swiftly clarify. “This is certainly not Wyatt Russell. We’re trying to clear up the misconception,” the spokesperson stated.
It turns out the protester was Aaron Fisher, a former staff member of the Democratic Caucus in Ohio and currently a partner at Statecraft Media. Fisher found the mix-up amusing, expressing that it inadvertently spotlighted the protest’s message. “The surge in dialogue and movements is what really matters,” he added.
Fisher also took the opportunity to criticize the deployment of the California National Guard, asserting that it was contrary to American values. “I plan to continue peacefully protesting in my community,” he said.
Los Angeles has been chaotic since the protests intensified, following ICE raids in various workplaces that resulted in the apprehension of suspected undocumented immigrants. In response, the Trump administration dispatched 4,000 National Guard members to maintain order and protect federal personnel and property. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also ordered 700 Marines to assist on the ground alongside local law enforcement.
In an effort to curb the unrest, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced a curfew for certain areas in downtown. The city is facing ongoing turmoil, including looting, violent confrontations, and over 150 arrests fueled by these protests.
While Russell has been confirmed not to be involved in the protests depicted in the viral video, other celebrities have joined in supporting the anti-ICE demonstrations. Actor Mark Ruffalo posted a lengthy message on Instagram addressing the tensions in the city, pointing out, “When working-class people pursue the poor and fellow workers, that’s when you know something’s deeply wrong.”
