Actor Giancarlo Esposito issued a strong call for revolution following the killing of two protesters by ICE agents in Minneapolis. Speaking at the Sundance Film Festival during the premiere of his new film, Esposito warned that if people united in Washington, D.C., many might die, but a new world could emerge from the struggle. His call for change highlighted a growing unrest in the nation’s streets and a demand for justice.
Esposito Points to Powerful Forces Behind the Unrest
The 67-year-old actor laid much of the blame on what he described as “very rich old white men” who are using their influence to fuel division and violence. He suggested this manipulation is stoking animosity and preparing people to engage in conflict. Esposito said this tension is part of a deeper and dangerous problem affecting society worldwide, and emphasized his refusal to remain silent.
“We have to stand up to it. They can’t take us all down,”
Esposito said during his Variety interview.
“Some very rich old white men are exerting their power to suppress our own people, thus creating a feeling of civil war in the streets, preparing the haters to hate, teaching them how to shoot,”
he added.
“This is all a preparation for a very insidious problem that’s happening in our world. And for me, I have to speak out. We will not be ICE’d out. This is not going to happen.”
Esposito warned that if masses gathered in Washington to protest,
“they’d kill 500 or 50 million or however [many], but the rest of us would survive with a new [world].”
Celebrity Support Grows for Protests and ICE Criticism
At Sundance, Esposito and other high-profile figures expressed solidarity by wearing ICE Out pins. This statement carried over from the Golden Globes, where many stars also showed support for victims of ICE violence. Among those commemorated was Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother who was fatally shot by an ICE agent. The pins reading Be Good served as a tribute to her memory and a call for change.
Actress Kerry Washington amplified the movement by demanding ICE and The Department of Homeland Security be defunded. In a livestreamed message, she condemned the actions of ICE officers and urged voters to pressure their representatives to halt deportations targeting vulnerable communities.
“Hi my name is Kerry Washington and I’m a constituent from Los Angeles. ICE murdered our neighbors in Minneapolis and is terrorizing communities.”
She directed an appeal to her Senator, declaring,
“These people need to hear from us, because they work for us. We pay their salaries with our tax dollars. So let’s f-king go!”
Rising Tensions Signal a Shift in Public Resistance
The events following the Minneapolis shootings have brought renewed focus on ICE’s conduct and the broader fight over civil rights and systemic power. Esposito’s urgent call for revolution reflects mounting frustration and fear, capturing a moment of intense polarization and unrest. His warning that many could perish in a mass uprising reveals the high stakes involved, while the hope for survival and transformation hints at a persistent desire for fundamental change.
As public figures like Esposito and Washington continue to demand accountability, the political pressure on officials and agencies involved in immigration enforcement is likely to intensify. The coming weeks and months may see increased demonstrations and demands for policy reforms, underscoring a volatile national mood and the potential for widespread activism.
NEW: Breaking Bad star Giancarlo Esposito says it's time for a "revolution," says some people would die, but "the rest of us" would survive.
"They can't take us all down. If the whole world showed up… in Washington, they'll kill a 500, 50 million or however…"
"But the rest… pic.twitter.com/66FykhfyO2
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 29, 2026
Actress Kerry Washington films herself calling her Senator to protest against ICE.
“Hi my name is Kerry Washington and I’m a constituent from Los Angeles. ICE murdered our neighbors in Minneapolis and is terrorizing communities.” pic.twitter.com/zKy9ZuW8H8
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) January 26, 2026
