On Monday night, stars hit the red carpet of the BET Awards to celebrate Black excellence across music, television, sports, and film at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
The Kevin Hart-hosted event was just blocks away from where Angelenos were marching against the federal immigration raids happening within the region. As the fourth day of demonstrations took place, rapper Doechii made sure to mention it in her acceptance speech when she took home the award for 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” singer then blasted the president and his use of the California National Guard to quell protestors.
“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 went on to explain 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 winner was the only celebrity to address the ongoing situation at the ceremony.
