The Grammy Awards took place Sunday in Los Angeles, celebrating artists, songwriters, and producers—but many also used the stage to protest Donald Trump’s ICE operations.
Following incidents in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Portland, where ICE actions led to deaths and tear gas deployments, several artists wore protest symbols. Billie Eilish, Carole King, Finneas O’Connell, Justin Bieber, and Hailey Bieber wore pins reading “ICE OUT,” while Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Kehlani, and Rhiannon Giddens displayed other protest apparel.
Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon wore a whistle pin to honor Minneapolis observers exposing ICE activity, noting that “the real work is in the streets… and I’m here to honor them.”
On stage, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, winners of Song of the Year for Wildflower, emphasized that “no one is illegal on stolen land.” Olivia Dean, Best New Artist, highlighted her immigrant heritage and the importance of celebrating immigrants.
Bad Bunny, winner of Best Música Urbana Album, declared, “ICE out… We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re humans and Americans.” Kehlani, winning Best R&B Performance, used her first Grammy to say, “f— ICE,” encouraging fellow artists to speak out.