On Monday (June 9, 2025) evening, celebrities graced the red carpet at the BET Awards, gathering at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles to honor Black excellence in music, TV, sports, and film.
Just blocks away from the Kevin Hart-hosted ceremony, Angelenos were protesting federal immigration raids in the area. During the fourth day of demonstrations, hip-hop artist Doechii addressed the situation in her acceptance speech after winning best hip-hop artist.
“As much as I’m honored by this award, I do want to address what’s happening right now outside of the building,” she told the crowd. “There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order.”
The “Anxiety” performer then criticized the president’s deployment of the California National Guard to control protesters.
“Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want y’all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us,” she continued. “What type of government is that?”
She emphasized that “people are being swept up and torn from their families.”
“I feel it’s my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people: For Black people, for Latino people, for trans people, for the people in Gaza,” she added. “We all deserve to live in hope and not in fear, and I hope we stand together, my brothers and my sisters, against hate and we protest against it.”
The Grammy Award recipient was the sole celebrity to mention the ongoing events during the ceremony.
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