‘They Can’t Take Us All Down’: Giancarlo Esposito Calls For A Revolution In Light Of ICE Violence In Minneapolis

Giancarlo Esposito is speaking out forcefully against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), warning that the agency’s actions are pushing the country toward a breaking point.

While attending the Sundance Film Festival premiere of his new film, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, the veteran actor addressed the growing national tension tied to ICE operations in Minneapolis, which have reportedly resulted in multiple deaths. Esposito’s message was blunt and defiant: “We will not be ICE’d out.”

“This is time for a revolution—and they don’t even know that’s what they’re starting,” Esposito told Variety. “We have to stand up to it. They can’t take us all down. If the whole world showed up on Putin’s doorstep or the Iranians’ doorstep or in Washington, they’d kill 500 or 50 million or however many, but the rest of us would survive with a new world.”

The Breaking Bad star said he felt compelled to speak out after watching what he described as escalating violence and intimidation carried out by immigration authorities in recent weeks.

“Some very rich old white men are exerting their power to suppress our own people, thus creating a feeling of civil war in the streets, preparing the haters to hate, teaching them how to shoot,” Esposito said. “This is all preparation for a very insidious problem that’s happening in our world. And for me, I have to speak out. We will not be ICE’d out. This is not going to happen.”

Esposito’s comments come amid heightened political activism at Sundance this year. Anti-ICE demonstrators have gathered outside festival venues under the banner “Sundancers Melt ICE,” while several celebrities have shown public support by wearing “ICE Out” pins, including Olivia Wilde, Jenna Ortega, and Natalie Portman. Actor Elijah Wood was also reportedly seen joining the protests.

The festival has also seen tense political confrontations. Last week, Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost was allegedly assaulted at a Sundance party by a man who reportedly threatened him with deportation before punching him and fleeing. The suspect, identified as Christian Joel Young, was detained by security and later charged with assault.

Esposito joins a growing list of high-profile figures condemning ICE’s actions in Minneapolis. Athletes such as NBA star Victor Wembanyama, actors including Yara Shahidi, and political leaders like Barack and Michelle Obama have all publicly denounced the agency’s enforcement tactics. The former president and first lady have gone further, urging Americans to protest and demand change, with Barack Obama calling on the public to “get off the sidelines.”