The silence that initially engulfed Hollywood during the latter stages of the Trump administration began to break this past weekend in response to the tragic killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti. The reaction from notable figures in the entertainment industry grew louder, with calls for accountability and activism resonating across social media platforms.
Pedro Pascal, the star of “The Last of Us,” took to Instagram to voice his outrage, sharing multiple posts that highlighted the deaths of both Pretti and Renee Good, who was fatally shot by a federal agent in Minneapolis on January 7. In one of his posts, Pascal featured drawings of the two women with the caption: “Pretti Good reason for a national strike,” which accompanied excerpts from a New York Times editorial advocating for truth and transparency surrounding their deaths. This sentiment was echoed by actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who also shared the same image on her Instagram.
Pascal remarked, “Truth is a line of demarcation between a democratic government and authoritarian regime. Mr. Pretti and Renee Good are dead. The American people deserve to know what happened.” His call for justice resonated, especially given the horrifying details surrounding Pretti’s death, as he was repeatedly shot during an encounter with federal agents that was captured on video.
Billie Eilish also added her voice to the growing chorus, sharing her indignation and calling Pretti “a real American hero.” As she posted various messages on her stories, Eilish seemed to challenge her fellow celebrities to speak up against the violence, asking, “hey my fellow celebrities u gonna speak up? or”
On Monday morning, Katy Perry joined the conversation by encouraging her followers to reach out to their senators. Over the weekend, Natalie Portman and Olivia Wilde also made statements regarding the federal government’s actions. At the Sundance Film Festival, both wore pins reading “ICE Out,” demonstrating solidarity with those protesting on the streets.
Portman expressed her mixed emotions, stating, “I could not be prouder to be American right now, by the way the Americans are acting. And I could not be sadder to be American right now with the way the government is behaving.” Wilde, also present at the festival, articulated her horror at the situation, emphasizing that it felt incongruous to celebrate art and creativity while distressing events unfolded outside.
Support was also voiced by actors Mark Ruffalo and Glenn Close, both known for their activism. Ruffalo referred to Pretti as a hero, lamenting the violent occurrences as “cold-blooded murder” carried out by what he described as an “occupying military gang.” Close shared her own reflections, expressing her outrage over the actions of the government under the Trump administration, which she believes have threatened the foundations of democracy.
She stated, “I am outraged and sickened by what is happening under the Trump regime: the cruelty, inhumanity, and arrogance,” and optimistically concluded that “the great American body politic is stirring, waking up and taking in what’s going on.”
These expressions of solidarity and calls for action signify a potential awakening among Hollywood’s elite, highlighting the importance of civic engagement and accountability during tumultuous times. As notable figures rally together, there is hope that their influence may inspire greater awareness and action among their audiences across the nation.