The Grammy Award was held on Sunday. While those winning awards used their plöatform to thank everyone who contributed to their success, this year, the stage was also used to criticize Donald Trump’s ‘private ICE army.’
The Grammy Awards were held in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday. While the stars of the music business were celebrated as artists, songwriters, producers, and more, the gala also became a platform for many celebrities to speak out against Donald Trump and his administration.
Several artists spoke out against the administration’s deployment of ICE agents in cities across America. In the recent incident, Minneapolis and Saint Paul saw ICE operations that left two people dead. As of late, Portland has seen several protests against ICE, with one ending with the agents deploying tear gas.
Billie Eilish, Carole King, and Finneas O’Connell all wore specific pins with the text “ICE OUT.” Even Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber, who’ve been known to not address American politics, wore them.
Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Kehlani, and Rhiannon Giddens were among the other artists wearing protest apparel on the Grammys red carpet.
Artists speak out against ICE on Grammy’s
Justin Vernon, founder and singer of the band Bon Iver whore a whistle pin, explaining on the red carpet it was “to honor the observers in Minneapolis” who “blow the whistle when they see ICE come in.”
Per Variety, he added, They are there to protect their community, and they’ve been doing it for weeks. It’s great to stop here and celebrate music and the power of music, but the real work is in the streets of Minneapolis right now, and I’m here to honor them.”
Several artists used their stage platforms to speak out against ICE operations across the US.
Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas O’Connell, won the award for song of the year Wildflower. On stage, Eilish said, “I feel so honored every time I get to be in this room. And, as grateful as I feel, I honestly don’t feel like I need to say anything, but that no one is illegal on stolen land … It’s just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now, and I feel really hopeful in this room.”
British soul-pop singer Olivia Dean, who was named best new artist, explained that she is a granddaughter of an immigrant, adding that immigrants “deserve to be celebrated.”
“We’re not savage”
Bad Bunny, who is set to perform at the Super Bowl and has been called “absolutely ridiculous by Trump, won the award for best música urbana album. The artist began his speech, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say: ICE out.”
He continued, “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”
Artist Kehlani, who won Best R&B Performance, used her first-ever Grammy wins to call out ICE agents.
“I hope everybody’s inspired to join together as a community of artists and speak out against what’s going on. … Imma leave this and say f— ICE;” she said.
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