{"id":248567,"date":"2026-01-20T19:25:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T19:25:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/248567\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T19:25:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T19:25:10","slug":"billie-eilish-blasts-ice-at-the-mlk-jr-beloved-community-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/248567\/","title":{"rendered":"Billie Eilish Blasts ICE at the MLK Jr. Beloved Community Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every year, the MLK Jr. Beloved Community Awards welcomes social justice leaders and public figures to Atlanta, Georgia, to recognize the work of individuals and communities committed to advancing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.<\/a>\u2019s vision. Over the weekend, the 2026 edition honored the likes of Viola Davis<\/a>, LeBron James<\/a>, and Billie Eilish<\/a>\u2014who took the opportunity to share a poignant speech addressing the horrific murders at the hands of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a> and President Donald Trump\u2019s administration.<\/p>\n

The Grammy-winning artist, who recently pledged to donate $11.5 million to environmental organizations, was honored with the Environmental Justice Award, presented to her by Black Girl Environmentalist<\/a> founder Wawa Gatheru<\/a>. After expressing her gratitude to Dr. Bernice King<\/a> and sharing how lucky she felt to be in the room, Eilish pulled out her speech, written on a piece of paper.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be honest, I really don\u2019t feel deserving,\u201d the Hit Me Hard and Soft singer began. \u201cIt\u2019s very strange to be celebrated for working toward environmental justice at a time when it feels less achievable than ever, given the state of our country and the world right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"2026<\/p>\n

Paras Griffin\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Eilish has never shied away from sharing her beliefs<\/a>, and just earlier this month, she addressed the murder of Renee Good<\/a> directly, calling ICE a \u201cterrorist group\u201d on her Instagram stories.<\/p>\n

Here, she referenced the tragedy once again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re seeing our neighbors being kidnapped, peaceful protestors being assaulted and murdered, our civil rights being stripped, resources to fight the climate crisis being cut, fossil fuels and animal agriculture destroying our planet and people\u2019s health, access to food and healthcare becoming a privilege for the wealthy instead of a basic human right for all Americans,\u201d the artist continued. \u201cIt is very clear that protecting our planet and our communities are not a priority for this administration, and it\u2019s really hard to celebrate that when we no longer feel safe in our own homes or in the streets.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"2026<\/p>\n

Paras Griffin\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019m so inspired by all of the stories and the other honorees tonight and everyone in this room, and I\u2019m grateful to everyone and for the huge community of people who are taking action centered on Dr. King\u2019s message.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eilish ended her speech by thanking her parents, her fans, and the communities working to protect civil rights, once again reiterating how \u201chumbled and honored and lucky\u201d she felt to be at the ceremony. \u201cAll I really have is a platform, and I think it\u2019s my responsibility to use it,\u201d she explained. \u201cI feel like I\u2019m just doing what anyone in my position should be doing.\u201d<\/p>\n