Sundance stars join 'Sundancers Melt ICE' protest in Park City

The Sundance film festival in Park City, Utah, saw a mass protest on Sunday called “Sundancers Melt ICE” against two fatal shootings in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with high-profile interventions from film industry figures. Organisers had called for a 10-minute “respectful” event at sunset on Park City’s Main Street to memorialise Renee Good, who was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on 7 January, and Alex Pretti, who was killed on Saturday by an agent of the Department of Homeland Security.

Natasha Lyonne was among those sharing social media posts about the protest. Footage posted by Deadline showed participants holding up lit phones and chanting “love melts ICE” as a small group of law enforcement officials looked on. Deadline reported that Elijah Wood was among the protesters and quoted him as saying: “The folks who have been unlawfully gunned down in Minnesota – it’s awful.

Here we are at this film festival that is about bringing people together; it’s about telling stories from all over the world. We’re not divided here; we’re coming together.” Notable statements were also reported from other actors. Natalie Portman, who wore “ICE out” and “Be Good” pins while conducting media duties at the festival, told Deadline: “What’s going on in this country right now is absolutely horrific.

Key Topics

Culture, Sundance Film Festival, Park City, Renee Good, Alex Pretti, Ice