‘Authoritarian and un-American’: celebrities outraged by Trump’s response to LA Ice protests

Celebrities have reacted to the ongoing tension in Los Angeles, calling out Ice officials and praising those protesting against them.

After a series of crackdowns targeting immigrant communities in the city, tensions reached fever pitch over the weekend with thousands of community members taking to the streets. Donald Trump has since mobilised marines and national guard members in a move that has further enraged locals.

The Oscar-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo posted a lengthy message on Instagram referring to the “oligarchy” that Americans now find themselves in. “You are pointing your guns in the wrong direction,” he wrote. “Can’t you see that maybe we are being tricked to tear each other apart while they rake it in?”

His message saw a positive response from names including Halle Berry, Pedro Pascal, Marisa Tomei and Melanie Griffith. Pascal also shared a video celebrating the diversity of America, writing: “Los Ángeles. Built by the best of U.S. #Protect our #Protectors #RESIST.”

Tyler, the Creator also posted an Instagram story, writing “Fuck Ice” while singer Kehlani, who was recently barred from performing at Cornell University for her anti-genocide comments, wrote: “Long live the resistance.”

At last night’s BET awards, rapper Doechii used her acceptance speech to express outrage over the situation. “There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order,” she said. “Trump is using military forces to stop a protest.” She added: “We all deserve to live in hope and not in fear.”

The director Ava DuVernay, who recently called out Trump’s criminal behaviour in a rousing speech, wrote about the hypocrisy of what’s happening. “I’m witnessing tear gas and non-lethal rounds being unleashed on peaceful protesters in DTLA,” she wrote in an Instagram story. “People of all ages and stripes from all over the city, raising their voices. And being treated worse than January 6 terrorists.”

The actor and director Eva Longoria also referred to the decision to use marines against locals as “un-American” on Instagram while the comedian Eric André called Ice “a terrorist organisation”.

The model and TV host Chrissy Teigen posted a long message urging people to protest on 14 June. “Trump is acting like a king by defying the courts, issuing arbitrary decrees, disregarding checks and balances,” she said while calling out his “authoritarian” use of the military.

Reneé Rapp, star of Mean Girls, expressed her frustration in an Instagram story, writing: “fuck ICE fuck this administration fuck all of yall who are complicit in ensuring that this happened this is a fucking disgrace.”

Musician Finneas also shared his experience of being part of the protest. “Tear-gassed almost immediately at the very peaceful protest downtown,” he wrote. “They’re inciting this.”

Tuesday morning saw Trump again defend his decision to send national guard troops to the city, claiming “that once beautiful and great city would be burning to the ground right now” if he hadn’t.