At the Grammy Awards on Sunday, Puerto Rican megastar Bad Bunny set the tone for music’s A-listers to take aim at the immigration raids that are rocking the country.
At President Donald Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) department, where highly armed and masked agents have been stationed in several US cities, there was evident anger.
Many Americans, already worried about what they see to be unfocused operations that unfairly target anyone who speaks Spanish or has brown skin, became further agitated after two US citizens were killed by federal agents in Minneapolis last month.
Just one week before he is scheduled to perform the Super Bowl halftime show, Bad Bunny declared, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ‘ICE out,'” amid applause from the Los Angeles crowd.
After winning the Grammy for Best Musica Urbana Album, the singer declared, “We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens; we are humans and we are Americans.”
The reggaeton singer wasn’t the only one criticizing ICE, one of the main organizations engaged in the operation.
Among the luxury frocks by Valentino, Chanel and Saint Laurent on the red carpet, several of those attending attached a “ICE out” button to their ensembles.
They featured power couple Justin and Hailey Bieber, renowned soprano Joni Mitchell, US artist Jordan Tyson and actress and singer Helen J. Shen.
Here are some of the other comments made by musicians at the event in Los Angeles:
– Gloria Estefan – “I’m scared, I’m very worried,” Gloria Estefan told AFP backstage after winning the Grammy for best tropical Latin album.
“I don’t think anyone would argue that we want a free-for-all at the border, but “criminals being apprehended” is not at all what is taking place.
These individuals have families, have made decades of contributions to this nation, and have young children. Detention facilities house hundreds of children. It’s inhumane. Right now, I don’t recognize my nation.
Olivia Dean
“I guess I want to say I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant,” British singer Olivia Dean — who has an English father and a Jamaican-Guyanese mother — said after earning the prestigious Best New Artist Grammy.
“I believe those people should be honored because I am a product of bravery.”
Shaboozey
“Immigrants built this country,” the breakout country musician Shaboozey, who was born in Virginia to Nigerian parents, addressed the crowd after winning the Grammy for best country duo/group performance with Jelly Roll
Thus, this is for all children of immigrants, including them. The artist added, “This is also for those who came to this country in search of better opportunities to be a part of a nation that promised freedom for all and equal opportunity to everyone willing to work for it.”
“I appreciate you bringing your customs, music, culture, and stories here. You add color to America.
– Billie Eilish – US artist Billie Eilish, whose “Wildflower” received the Grammy for Song of the Year, said she was honored for the accomplishment.
But, she added: “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.
“At this moment, it’s just very difficult to know what to say and do. We just need to keep fighting, speaking up, and protesting, in my opinion, because people matter and our voices do count.
SZA
“It’s incredibly dystopian that we’re dressed up and able to celebrate accolades… and people are getting snatched up and shot in the face on the street,” said R&B artist SZA, who shared Record of the Year honors with Kendrick Lamar.
It simply feels odd, and I find so many of us don’t really know how to feel right now, besides wrath and hopelessness,” she said.
“I just don’t want everyone to become hopeless because change is impossible when you lose morale.”
