Springsteen, Morello Rock Against ICE in Minneapolis

Iconic musicians perform protest concert to defend Minnesota and honor victims of ICE killings

Jan. 30, 2026 at 10:15pm

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Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance at a Tom Morello concert in Minneapolis, performing his new protest song "Streets of Minneapolis" that references the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents. The concert was a show of solidarity and resistance against the Trump administration's policies, with Morello and other musicians leading the crowd in chants of "ICE out now!" and "Fuck ICE."

Why it matters

The concert was a powerful display of artists using their platforms to speak out against injustice and the abuse of government power. In the absence of strong leadership at the national level, Springsteen and Morello directly called out the responsible parties and expressed support for the Minneapolis community's resistance efforts.

The details

Before the concert, the crowd at First Avenue venue was already chanting "Fuck ICE" in a show of unity. Springsteen then surprised the audience by joining Morello on stage, explaining that he had quickly written and recorded the protest song "Streets of Minneapolis" in response to the killings of Good and Pretti. Springsteen's solo acoustic performance was understated but impactful, with the crowd cheering emphatically when he sang the victims' names. Morello and Springsteen also performed "The Ghost of Tom Joad" together, with Morello revealing a guitar message to "arrest the president." The concert closed with a group performance of John Lennon's "Power to the People."

  • Two days after the release of his protest song "Streets of Minneapolis"
  • The concert took place on Friday afternoon

The players

Bruce Springsteen

One of the most iconic rock stars in the world, known for his socially conscious lyrics and activism.

Tom Morello

A guitarist and political activist, known for his work with Rage Against the Machine and other protest music.

Renee Good

A Minneapolis resident killed by federal immigration agents under the Trump administration.

Alex Pretti

Another Minneapolis resident killed by federal immigration agents under the Trump administration.

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What they’re saying

“So I write this song, and I recorded it the next day, and I sent it to Tom Morello. Now I know Tom is an excitable man. I say, 'Tom, what do you think? It's kind of soapbox-y.' And he says, 'Bruce, nuance is wonderful, but sometimes, you have to kick them in the teeth.'”

— Bruce Springsteen (Rolling Stone)

“Brothers and sisters, thank you for welcoming us to the battle of Minneapolis. Minneapolis is an inspiration to the entire nation. You have heroically stood up against ICE, stood up against Trump, stood up against this terrible rising tide of state terror. You have stood up for your neighbors and for yourselves and for democracy and for justice. Ain't nobody comin' to save us except us, and brothers and sisters, you are showing the way.”

— Tom Morello (Rolling Stone)

What’s next

The concert was a prelude to a larger protest just blocks away, and the funds raised will benefit the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

The takeaway

In a time of crisis and lack of leadership, artists like Springsteen and Morello are using their platforms to amplify the voices of the community and stand in solidarity against injustice. Their concert was a powerful display of the transformative power of music and protest.