The 2026 Golden Globes ceremony, held on Sunday, transformed from a night of cinematic celebration into a powerful platform for political protest. In a poignant display of solidarity, numerous celebrities adorned their attire with monochrome badges bearing messages like "BE GOOD" and "ICE OUT". This visual statement was a direct response to the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis earlier in the week, marking a return to overt activism after a relatively quiet previous year.
A Grassroots Campaign Reaches the Red Carpet
The movement behind the pins was a rapid, grassroots effort. It began with a late-night text exchange between organisers Nelini Stamp of Working Families Power and Jess Morales Rocketto of Maremoto, a Latino advocacy group. They mobilised their networks, reaching out to celebrities and influencers to amplify their message. Actor Mark Ruffalo was prominently seen wearing one of the pins on the red carpet, with expectations that more attendees would follow suit throughout the evening.
"We need every part of civil society to speak up," Stamp told AFP. "We need our artists. We need our entertainers. We need the folks who reflect society." The organisers drew inspiration from historic moments of protest in Hollywood, such as Sacheen Littlefeather's act at the 1973 Oscars. In the days leading up to the Globes, supporters discreetly distributed pins at high-profile parties, embodying a truly organic campaign.
Nationwide Unrest and Official Responses
The pin-wearing at the Globes mirrored the nationwide demonstrations erupting after Good's death and a separate incident in Portland where Border Patrol officers injured two individuals. In cities like Minneapolis, protests escalated into confrontations with police. This civil unrest coincided with ICE conducting what it termed its largest immigration enforcement drive to date.
The political response has been swift and divided. While members of Congress have promised a forceful inquiry and the FBI has launched an investigation into Good's killing, the Trump administration has staunchly defended the involved ICE officer. Officials argued the officer acted in self-defence, believing Good intended to strike him with her vehicle. Good's death came just a week after another fatal shooting in Los Angeles, where an off-duty ICE officer killed 43-year-old Keith Porter, sparking further protests.
Sustaining the Momentum Through Awards Season
The organisers have committed to ensuring this is not a one-night statement. They plan to carry the "ICE OUT" initiative forward throughout the entire awards season, aiming to keep public attention focused on the names of Renee Good, Keith Porter, and others who have died in shootings involving ICE officers.
"There is a longstanding tradition of people who create art taking a stand for justice in moments," Stamp stated. "We're going to continue that tradition." By leveraging the global spotlight of events like the Golden Globes, the campaign seeks to transform a moment of cultural significance into sustained advocacy for accountability and social justice.
