The 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards, held on January 11, 2026, was expected to be a glamorous celebration of cinema and television. Instead, the Beverly Hilton was transformed into a high-visibility stage for political defiance. As A-list stars descended upon the red carpet, the usual chatter about designer labels was replaced by a coordinated protest against federal immigration policies and the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The evening’s activism was anchored by two powerful phrases seen on black-and-white pins: “BE GOOD” and “ICE OUT.”
The #BeGood Campaign: Honoring Renee Nicole Good
The protest was sparked by a tragedy just days prior. On January 7, 2026, Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was fatally shot by an ICE agent during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis.
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The Incident: Reports and bystander videos showed a tense confrontation where an agent fired through Good’s windshield. While federal officials claimed self-defense, the incident ignited nationwide outrage.
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The Symbol: The #BeGood campaign, organized by a coalition including the ACLU, MoveOn, and the National Domestic Workers Alliance, used the pins to honor her memory and demand federal accountability.
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Double Loss: The protest also honored Keith Porter Jr., a Los Angeles man killed by an off-duty ICE agent on New Year’s Eve.
Stars Take a Stand
High-profile nominees and presenters used their global platform to ensure the message wasn’t lost in the glitz.
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Mark Ruffalo: A vocal activist, Ruffalo told reporters, “I can’t pretend like this is normal. This is for Renee Nicole Good, who was murdered.”
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Wanda Sykes: On the red carpet, Sykes was blunt: “We need to speak up… and shut this rogue government down. It’s awful what they are doing to people.”
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Ariana Grande & Jean Smart: Grande was spotted sporting an “ICE OUT” pin inside the ceremony, while Hacks star Jean Smart wore her “BE GOOD” pin prominently on her dress while accepting her award, imploring the audience to “do the right thing.”
A Politically Charged Ceremony
The activism didn’t stop at the red carpet. Host Nikki Glaser set a sharp tone in her opening monologue, taking direct jabs at the political climate and the media.
“The Golden Globe for Best Editing goes to the Justice Department… and the award for most editing goes to CBS News, America’s newest place to see BS news.” — Nikki Glaser, referencing the network’s handling of immigration reporting.
| Notable Protesters | Protest Accessory | Statement Context |
| Mark Ruffalo | “BE GOOD” Pin | Called for national “civic courage.” |
| Wanda Sykes | “BE GOOD” Pin | Condemned “Operation Metro Surge” raids. |
| Natasha Lyonne | “BE GOOD” Pin (on clutch) | Stated: “Say her name: Renee Good.” |
| Ariana Grande | “ICE OUT” Pin | Worn during the live broadcast. |
The 2026 Golden Globes will be remembered as the night Hollywood stopped “sticking to acting.” By weaving the names of the victims into the fabric of the industry’s biggest party, these stars ensured that the conversation surrounding immigration and human rights remained in the international spotlight.
