Tom Morello joined immigrant-rights advocates on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, to protest ICE enforcement policies in New York City [1].
The appearance of the Rage Against the Machine guitarist brings high-profile celebrity attention to the ongoing legal and humanitarian disputes surrounding federal immigration raids and detention centers.
Morello stood with members of Hands Off NYC, Make the Road New York, and the New York Immigration Coalition outside 26 Federal Plaza [1]. The site of the rally is a 41-story federal building in Lower Manhattan [2]. Protesters gathered to denounce alleged abuses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and broader federal immigration strategies [2].
During the event, Morello performed the Woody Guthrie classic “This Land Is Your Land” [3]. The 61-year-old musician used the platform to target the Trump administration, which he described as an “authoritarian clown show” [1, 4].
Morello said to the crowd to "take our power back and adjourn this motherfucking authoritarian clown show once and for all" [5]. His participation aligns with a career defined by political activism and songwriting focused on social justice and government accountability.
Critics of the musician have previously suggested his work has become too political, but Morello continued his advocacy during the Tuesday rally [1]. The demonstration focused on the immediate impact of federal policies on immigrant communities in the New York City area [2].
““authoritarian clown show””
The intersection of celebrity activism and grassroots organizing at 26 Federal Plaza underscores the volatility of current U.S. immigration policy. By leveraging his platform, Morello amplifies the demands of organized coalitions like the New York Immigration Coalition, transforming a local protest into a wider cultural critique of federal authority.
