Finneas Condemns ICE Tactics After Protest Clash

Musician Details Tear Gas Exposure During Los Angeles Demonstration

Finneas, the acclaimed musician and producer, publicly shared his experience of being tear-gassed while participating in a demonstration in downtown Los Angeles, escalating concerns over federal immigration enforcement and police response to protests.

Direct Exposure and Immediate Reaction

The incident occurred during a demonstration sparked by increased federal immigration crackdowns. Finneas informed his 4.5 million Instagram followers that he was “Tear gassed almost immediately at the very peaceful protest downtown, they’re inciting this,” expressing outrage at the authorities’ actions.

He used his social media platform to strongly criticize Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sharing a post from filmmaker Dustin Drury and stating, “Look at the resources they’re willing to commit to terrorize people but not feed or house people.”

Escalating Rhetoric and Calls for Resistance

Finneas didn’t hold back in his condemnation, posting “FFFFF–CK ICE. F–k off all of you weekend GI Joe losers,” echoing similar sentiments from comedian Tim Heidecker. He characterized supporters of ICE operations as lacking strength and predicted their eventual defeat.

Furthermore, Finneas amplified calls for members of the National Guard and active-duty military personnel to refuse to carry out what they perceive as unlawful orders. He shared a hotline for GI Rights, adding, “There is support, you don’t have to go through with it.”

A powerful image shared by Finneas featured a quote from an educator: “If you wanted me to sacrifice my students to ICE, you shouldn’t have trained me to take a bullet for them.”

According to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University, ICE deportations have increased by 70% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 compared to the same period last year. (TRAC, 2024)

LAPD and Federal Response

As the protests continued late into the night, neither the Los Angeles Police Department nor federal authorities have issued a public statement acknowledging Finneas’ claims or addressing the concerns raised about the use of tear gas and the handling of the demonstration.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing demonstrations expected and heightened scrutiny on ICE’s tactics and the response of law enforcement agencies.