The 2026 Golden Globe Awards became a platform for political protest as several prominent actors wore symbolic pins and delivered sharp criticisms of the current administration’s immigration policies following two fatal shootings involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel.
Mark Ruffalo and Wanda Sykes were among the celebrities who arrived at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11 wearing black-and-white pins bearing the messages “BE GOOD” and “ICE OUT,” transforming the traditionally glamorous red carpet into a space for political activism.
🚨Another Bovino mic drop!
MacCallum: "A lot of the celebrities were wearing these buttons that say 'Be Good' in honor of Renee Good."
Bovino: "What about the angel moms? How about an angel mom pin? They never seem to talk about that."pic.twitter.com/CgnCO9Nbuj
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) January 12, 2026
Two Fatal Incidents Spark Nationwide Outrage
The demonstration stems from two separate deadly encounters involving ICE personnel that occurred within the past two weeks. Renee Good was fatally shot by ICE officer Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis on January 7, while Keith Porter, a Los Angeles resident, was killed by an off-duty ICE agent on New Year’s Eve.
These incidents have intensified national debates over immigration enforcement practices and the use of force by federal agents, particularly as the Trump administration has signaled plans for expanded deportation operations.
Speaking to reporters on the red carpet, Ruffalo delivered an impassioned statement connecting the shootings to broader concerns about the current political climate. The actor dedicated his protest to Good specifically, describing her death as a murder and expanding his criticism to encompass what he characterized as the administration’s disregard for international law.
Celebrity Activism Takes Center Stage
The protest pins represent part of a coordinated effort organized by civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, which announced an “ICE Out For Good Weekend of Action” to commemorate the victims and demand accountability for the deaths.
Comedian and actress Wanda Sykes emphasized the urgency of speaking out against current policies, telling entertainment media that celebrities have a responsibility to use their platforms during what she described as a critical moment for civil rights in America.
OMG, that Hollywood Clown Mark Ruffalo wore a "Be Good" pin on his jacket lapel at the Golden Globes in honor of that domestic terrorist who tried to kill a brave ICE agent this week.
Can you imagine being this out of touch with reality! pic.twitter.com/JQmOwpWUWD
— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) January 12, 2026
The ACLU’s statement regarding the weekend of action emphasized the dual nature of the campaign’s messaging, encouraging Americans to “be good to one another in the face of such horror” while simultaneously calling for systemic changes to immigration enforcement practices.
Broader Entertainment Industry Response
While not all celebrities explicitly referenced the ICE shootings, several prominent figures addressed the current political atmosphere during red carpet interviews. Amy Poehler characterized the current state of global affairs as “brutal” without specifying particular policies or events.
Natasha Lyonne, star of the series “Poker Face,” expressed gratitude for First Amendment protections while acknowledging the volatile nature of current political discourse. Her comments reflect a broader sentiment among entertainment industry figures who have increasingly used award shows as platforms for political expression.
Jean Smart, known for her role in “Hacks,” directly addressed criticism of celebrity political activism during her pre-show interview. She acknowledged that some Americans find it “annoying” when entertainers speak out on political issues but defended her right to comment as both a citizen and parent concerned about the country’s direction.
Accepting her #GoldenGlobes award tonight, Jean Smart wears a “BE GOOD” pin, in reference to Renee Nicole Good, 37, the mother killed by an ICE agent earlier this week.
📷 Amy Sussman/Getty pic.twitter.com/sVNRthJ9F2
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) January 12, 2026
Historical Context of Award Show Protests
The Golden Globes demonstration continues a long tradition of Hollywood figures using major award ceremonies to highlight social and political causes. From Marlon Brando’s 1973 Oscar protest over Native American rights to more recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations, award shows have frequently served as platforms for activism.
However, the direct targeting of specific federal law enforcement actions represents a particularly pointed form of celebrity activism, especially given the ongoing legal and political controversies surrounding the current administration.
Immigration Policy Under Scrutiny
The timing of the protest coincides with heightened attention to immigration enforcement practices as the administration has indicated plans for expanded deportation operations. The fatal shootings have provided immigration rights advocates with concrete examples to illustrate their concerns about aggressive enforcement tactics.
Civil rights organizations have seized on the incidents to argue for comprehensive reforms to immigration enforcement, including changes to rules of engagement and accountability measures for federal agents involved in deadly force incidents.
The “BE GOOD” messaging appears designed to create a moral framework for opposing current policies, framing immigration enforcement as a question of fundamental human decency rather than purely legal or political considerations.
Public Reception and Political Implications
The celebrity protest reflects broader divisions within American society over immigration policy and the role of federal enforcement agencies. While immigration rights advocates have praised the high-profile attention brought to the issue, supporters of aggressive enforcement policies have criticized celebrities for what they view as inappropriate politicization of law enforcement actions.
The demonstration also highlights the entertainment industry’s continued opposition to Trump administration policies, suggesting that Hollywood figures intend to maintain their activist stance throughout the current presidential term.
For the Golden Globes ceremony itself, the political demonstrations added a somber undertone to what is typically a more lighthearted awards show compared to the Academy Awards. The contrast between glamorous evening wear and protest pins created striking visual imagery that dominated social media coverage of the event.
Looking Forward
The success of the Golden Globes demonstration in generating media attention suggests that similar protests may appear at other major entertainment industry events throughout 2026. The ACLU’s coordination of the weekend of action indicates that civil rights organizations view celebrity participation as crucial to maintaining public attention on immigration enforcement issues.
As the administration continues to implement its immigration agenda, the entertainment industry’s response will likely serve as a barometer for broader public sentiment regarding federal enforcement policies and their human costs.
The deaths of Good and Porter have become symbolic of larger debates about the proper scope and methods of immigration enforcement, with their names now permanently linked to a growing movement challenging current federal policies through both traditional advocacy and high-profile celebrity activism.