Stars wear anti-ICE pins at Golden Globes

Stitching it in, Time’s Up black-out, Blue ribbons, Spelling it out, Suiting up, Footwear fanaticism, Sheer disregard for dress codes, Graphic tees for graphic cause, Dressing for the global stage, Purple ribbons, Red ribbons, More than just accessories, Badge of dishonor, Pins for Charlie

At the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, several celebrities wore anti-ICE pins reading “Be Good” and “ICE Out.” Among those spotted were Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, Natasha Lyonne, Jean Smart, and Ariana Grande. Stars worn the pins in protest against the killing of Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis on January 7.

According to Nelini Stamp of Working Families Power, one of the organizers behind the idea alongside Jess Morales Rocketto of the Latino advocacy group Maremoto, “(In a moment like this), we need every part of civil society to speak up.” The organizations involved have pledged to continue the protest, while an FBI investigation into the killing is ongoing.

Indeed, the red carpet is a platform upon which many stars use fashion to make a statement. It’s the place where seemingly simple fashion rebellions can be statements at large, and even small pins can speak volumes about social or political issues. From donning tailored suits to going barefoot, check out which celebrities dared to challenge the status quo, and why.

Stitching it in

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In 2021, director Travon Free, who along with co-director Martin Desmond Roe won the Oscar for Best Live Action Short with their film 'Two Distant Strangers,' showed up to the event in a black Dolce & Gabbana suit with yellow lapels, lined inside with the names of some of those killed by police brutality in the US. His Nike Air sneakers were also stamped with names, including George Floyd’s.

In Free's acceptance speech later that night, he elaborated: "Today the police will kill three people. And tomorrow the police will kill three people. And the day after that, the police will kill three people because on average the police in America every day kill three people, which amounts to about a thousand people a year. And those people happen to disproportionately be Black people." His 32-minute film 'Two Distant Strangers' was acquired by Netflix and is a must-watch commentary on racial injustice and police brutality. 

Time’s Up black-out

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The 2018 Golden Globes red carpet saw Hollywood stars protest against sexual harassment in the industry by wearing black. Viola Davis, the glass-ceiling-destroyer and advocate for authenticity, also made her red carpet statement intersectional by celebrating her natural hair.

Blue ribbons

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At the 2017 Academy Awards, Ruth Negga’s blue ribbon stood starkly in contrast to her red gown, and she was joined by a host of other actors who donned the ribbon supporting the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in protest of Donald Trump’s immigration ban.

Spelling it out

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At the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2017, 'Big Bang Theory' actor Simon Helberg and his wife Jocelyn Towne didn’t care for subtly. He carried a sign that read, “Refugees welcome,” and she had the words “Let them in” painted on her chest.

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Aunjanue Ellis wore a gown to the 2016 NAACP Image Awards with the words "Take It Down Mississippi" across the front, referencing Mississippi's state flag, the last in the US to display the Confederate symbol. The dress was designed by the ABC drama’s costume designer, Sami Rattner.

Suiting up

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In early 2017, at the Golden Globes, Evan Rachel Wood donned a crisp tuxedo and explained in an interview on the red carpet that she wanted to demonstrate to young girls and women that dresses, while nice, aren’t a requirement.

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In a two-fold protest against the Vietnam war and in support of the Women’s Liberation Movement, the 1972 Best Actress winner Jane Fonda accepted her award in a sharp pantsuit with a Mao-style collar. She commented at the time that she was "not dressing for men."

Footwear fanaticism

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Organizers at Cannes were quoted saying that it’s obligatory for women to wear heels to red carpet screenings, and women were reasonably outraged. Julia Roberts also took a stand against 'Heelgate,' and appeared on the 2016 Cannes red carpet in a floor-length gown, which she then lifted to climb the stairs, revealing she was completely barefoot.

Sheer disregard for dress codes

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Cher famously refused to follow conservative red carpet dress codes, and in 1973 she wore a sheer, midriff-baring number to the Academy Awards, beginning her reputation as the queen of the event. She’s pictured at the Oscars the following year, showing no sign of remorse.

Graphic tees for graphic cause

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Ryan Gosling accepted the MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss in 2005, and he did so wearing a Darfur T-shirt. The simple shirt carried a message to thousands of viewers about the war-torn region of western Sudan where a genocide killed hundreds of thousands of people.

Dressing for the global stage

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In the midst of US strikes on Iraq in 2003, the Academy Awards went on, but many actresses, including winners Nicole Kidman and Catherine Zeta-Jones, chose to wear black out of respect for the real tragedy going on beyond their celebration.

Purple ribbons

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To the 1993 Oscars, Denzel Washington a wore purple ribbon to bring attention to urban violence in America.

Red ribbons

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The red ribbon was created in 1991 as a symbol for AIDS awareness, and at the 1992 Oscars, the night’s biggest stars, including Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman, arrived with them pinned onto their dresses and tuxes.

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Tom Hanks won Best Actor for his role in 'Philadelphia' in 1994, and he gave an eloquent speech supporting and paying tribute to those affected by AIDS, which had an enormous amount of stigma attached to it back then. It was a tear-jerking speech deserving of another Oscar.

More than just accessories

Stitching it in, Time’s Up black-out, Blue ribbons, Spelling it out, Suiting up, Footwear fanaticism, Sheer disregard for dress codes, Graphic tees for graphic cause, Dressing for the global stage, Purple ribbons, Red ribbons, More than just accessories, Badge of dishonor, Pins for Charlie

Lady Gaga walked the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet with four military service members affected by 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,' the official US policy at the time on military service by LGBT soldiers. Accepting the award for Best Female Video for 'Bad Romance,' Gaga thanked them for accompanying her, directed people to an organization devoted to giving legal assistance to those affected by DADT, and encouraged voters to reach out to their senators. The legislation was repealed one year later.

Badge of dishonor

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At the 2017 Golden Globes, actress Lola Kirke accessorized her pink gown with a pin that publicly denounced the Republican House Speaker who was threatening to cut funding from Planned Parenthood, the nonprofit organization that offers advice, support, and services for family planning and sexual health.

Pins for Charlie

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George and Amal Clooney turned up to the 2015 Golden Globes showing their support for those affected by the Charlie Hebdo shooting by wearing 'Je Suis Charlie' pins—his on the lapel of his Armani suit, and hers on the front of a white clutch.

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