American pop star Billie Eilish used her platform to address pressing social and environmental issues while accepting an award in Atlanta.
She criticized US immigration enforcement and environmental policies, highlighting recent incidents affecting civil rights and public safety.
Billie Eilish was honoured with the MLK Jr. Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award over the weekend in Atlanta.
During her acceptance speech, the 24-year-old singer condemned US President Donald Trump’s policies and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. She said, “We’re seeing our neighbours being kidnapped, peaceful protesters being assaulted and murdered, our civil rights being stripped.”
Criticism of ICE
Eilish directly criticized ICE, labeling the agency a “terrorist group” after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old US citizen Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this month.
She also called out the Trump administration for failing to prioritize environmental protection. “Resources to fight the climate crisis are being cut for fossil fuels and animal agriculture destroying our planet,” Billie said.
The singer emphasized her responsibility to use her public platform for advocacy. “It’s really hard to celebrate that when we no longer feel safe in our own homes or in our streets,” she remarked, connecting environmental justice with broader civil and social rights issues.
