Musicians like Shakira, Olivia Rodrigo, Green Day, and more joined in the chorus of protests against President Donald Trump over the weekend.
Saturday was the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army parade in Washington, which coincided with Trump’s 79th birthday. Left-wing protesters gathered in demonstrations nationwide under the name “No Kings.” Some demonstrations had themes against the recent efforts by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while others focused on LGBT rights, as June is also Pride month.
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Colombian pop star Shakira claimed that living as an immigrant in the U.S. “means living in constant fear” in an interview with the BBC. Shakira moved to the U.S. when she was 19, and now, at 48, she said it’s “painful to see” the changes in immigration.
“Now, more than ever, we have to remain united. Now, more than ever, we have to raise our voices and make it very clear that a country can change its immigration policies, but the treatment of all people must always be humane,” Shakira said.
Former Disney star turned solo artist Olivia Rodrigo posted a link Saturday from the American Civil Liberties Union encouraging her Instagram followers to “Know Your Rights” when it comes to immigration enforcement.
“I’ve lived in LA my whole life and I’m deeply upset about these violent deportations of my neighbors under the current administration,” Rodrigo wrote on her Instagram Story. “LA simply wouldn’t exist without immigrants. 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. I stand for our right to freedom of speech and freedom to protest.”
Nancy Wilson of the band Heart took issue with her song “Barracuda” playing during the military parade Saturday. On Instagram, she addressed the parade in a post that included a photo of herself wearing a “No Kings But Us” hat, in reference to the protests. Wilson claimed the parade did not have her or her sister Ann’s “permission or authorization” to use the song.
“‘Barracuda,’ written and performed by Ann and I, is a powerful piece of music that was never intended for political use,” Wilson captioned the photo. “As daughters of a U.S. Marine Corps major, we hold a deep and abiding respect for the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces,” wrote Wilson. “On a day meant to honor that service, it’s important that music used in such settings reflects not only the tone of the event but also the wishes of the artists who created it.”
Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of the band Green Day, was performing at the Download Festival in Donington Park in the U.K. on Friday when he encouraged protests ahead of the big day of demonstrations.
“Donald Trump in his administration is a fascist government,” Armstrong said. “And it’s up to us to fight back.”
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN RELEASES ANTI-TRUMP CONCERT SPEECH FOR STREAMING
Armstrong has long criticized the president and included his “MAGA” campaign slogan in his song “American Idiot.” While the rock star has teased moving out of the country and renouncing his American citizenship, Armstrong has yet to confirm his official change in citizenship and residence.
This followed Bruce Springsteen preserving his criticisms of the Trump administration in his newest streaming tracks. Springsteen began his “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour in Manchester, England, and subsequently released recordings of his live performance. One 90-second track includes one of his several rants against Trump.