LOS ANGELES: Taking her activism to the forefront, Filipino American pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo has boldly condemned the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles, joining a wave of protests calling out the “violent deportations” sweeping immigrant communities.
As streets filled with demonstrators, the Grammy-award winning singer used her platform to speak out against what she described as a deeply troubling reality.
Rodrigo, who has spent her entire life in Los Angeles, didn’t hold back in expressing how disturbed she was by the recent ICE raids carried out as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
In an Instagram Story, the singer emphasised that LA “simply wouldn’t exist without immigrants,” calling out the treatment of hardworking community members who, she said, were being shown little respect, empathy or due process.
She affirmed her solidarity with both the diverse neighbourhoods of Los Angeles and immigrant communities across the country.
“Treating hardworking community members with such little respect, empathy and due process is awful. I stand with the beautiful, diverse community of Los Angeles and with immigrants all across America,” she wrote.
The “Drivers Licence” hitmaker amplified her message by sharing a link to the American Civil Liberties Union’s “Know Your Rights” page. The resource is aimed at equipping undocumented individuals with critical legal information in light of the intensifying enforcement tactics used by ICE.
There are more than 300,000 undocumented Filipinos who live in the United States, according to data from the US Census Bureau and the Migration Policy Institute. However, immigrant rights advocates believe the actual number is much higher as many undocumented immigrants do not participate in government data collection, fearing deportation.
Rodrigo’s social media feed didn’t just end with words. She shared a protest photo of a handmade sign featuring a crossed-out crown and the phrase “in our USA” – a symbolic nod to the “No Kings Day” demonstrations held Saturday in opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies and as a counterpoint to the military parade in Washington, D.C.
Her statement hits at a time when fear is thick in the air for many immigrant families.
“I stand for our right to freedom of speech and freedom to protest,” she added. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
