‘ICE Out’: Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Kehlani use Grammy Awards to condemn US immigration agency

The pins were worn in solidarity with protests against ICE across the US, including in Minneapolis, following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Good, a 37-year-old mother, was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on 7 January.

Bad Bunny received a standing ovation while accepting the award for Best Música Urbana Album after opening his speech with a statement against ICE.

“Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE OUT,” he said. He continued: “We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans. More powerful than hate is love.”

Singer Kehlani wore an “ICE Out” pin on the red carpet and later criticised immigration authorities during her acceptance speeches. She won Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for Folded.

“Together, we’re stronger in numbers, and we must speak against all the injustice going on in the world right now,” Kehlani said on stage. She ended her speech by repeating: “F* ICE.” Earlier in the evening, Kehlani told The Hollywood Reporter she wanted artists to speak out. “I wanted to say f* ICE,” she said.

“I think everybody — we’re too powerful of a group to all be in a room at the same time and not make some kind of statement about what’s happening in our country.”

Justin and Hailey Bieber were also photographed wearing “ICE Out” pins, as were Billie Eilish, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, Margo Price and Rhiannon Giddens.

Mitchell wore the pin while accepting the award for Best Historical Album for Joni Mitchell Archives – Volume 4: The Asylum Years (1976–1980).

Jazz singer Samara Joy said she chose to wear the pin to show support for people affected by immigration enforcement.

“Now is not the time to stay silent,” she told Variety. “It’s important to speak up for those who can’t.”
She added: “I don’t want to draw attention to myself without recognising the humanity of people experiencing tragedies around the world.”

Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, who was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album, told the Associated Press that he wore a whistle to honour people documenting ICE operations.

“The real work is being done by observers on the ground in Minneapolis,” Vernon said. “We just want to shout them out.”

The statements and symbols marked one of the most openly political moments of the night, with artists using the high-profile event to draw attention to immigration enforcement and related protests across the US.