On Monday night at the BET Awards in Los Angeles, as flashing lights lit up the red carpet and music stars walked into the theater, chaos unfolded just blocks away. 

Protesters flooded the streets in response to aggressive ICE raids, police sirens echoed through the air, and tensions boiled over. Inside, Doechii didn’t just take the BET stage to receive the award for Best Female Hip-Hop artist; she took a stand. Seizing her moment in the spotlight, she spoke out against injustice and demanded change.

“Donald Trump is a criminal, and we will not be silent,” she declared, igniting loud cheers from the audience. Doechii then turned her focus to the ICE raids, calling out the mistreatment of immigrant families. Children were being ripped from their homes while the city celebrated nearby. 

Meanwhile, she highlighted the police violence happening outside the event. Peaceful protestors were met with force. One viral video captured Lauren Tomasi, a U.S. correspondent for Australia’s 9News, being intentionally shot with a rubber bullet while reporting live. The shocking moment took place during the third day of ongoing protests in Los Angeles. 

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Doechii uplifts protest at BET Awards

Throughout her speech, Doechii urged artists and fans to take action. “We can’t keep dancing through the pain without naming it,” she said. “If I have this mic, I’m going to use it for something bigger than me.” 

Soon after her speech, clips flooded social media. Her words reached millions within hours and sparked major online conversations. Many praised her courage and leadership in a moment that demanded truth. 

Moreover, Doechii reminded everyone that music and protest are deeply intertwined. Her voice carried power, and she used it with purpose. As a result, her message now echoes far beyond the BET stage,  bold and unapologetic.

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Sasha M. Wilson, a 4th-generation HBCU scholar and senior at Grambling State University, is majoring in Mass Communication (PR) with a minor in Africana Studies. She’s also the granddaughter of Oklahoma...

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