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Harry Styles paused his concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday to address the shooting of a Dominican immigrant by federal immigration agents, urging fans to show compassion toward people from different backgrounds and calling for “dignity” and “justice.”
The British pop star addressed the crowd after referencing Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old man who was shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers Thursday while his 5-year-old son was sitting in the back seat of his car.
“I just want us to take a moment to think about Oscar Belgal tonight, and I want us to think and remember to just look after each other,” Styles said.
“So, please, continue looking after each other,” he continued. “And remember, your friends, the people you love, the people who don’t look like you and aren’t born where you’re from, they deserve respect, and love, and dignity and justice.”
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The remarks prompted criticism from film critic and commentator Christian Toto, who told Fox News Digital that speaking out against ICE has become a way for celebrities to gain approval within the entertainment industry.
“This is the new black square on Instagram — speaking out on ICE gets you respect within your artistic community and endless positive press,” Toto said. “I think the mainstream media has far more impact on public opinion. Social media does, too. Celebrities weighing in on matters like this? I suspect it doesn’t move the needle at all. We view the stars as detached from our day-to-day lives, so we may agree with them on hot-button issues but they’re not winning any converts.”
He suggested that entertainers face pressure within Hollywood to embrace political causes, while those who remain silent may be better positioned to avoid alienating fans.
“There’s an expectation within celebrity circles to embrace the cause du jour. The benefits are clear, and they’re never held responsible when history doesn’t align with their views. I suspect the stars who don’t speak out at all fair best with their fans,” Toto said.
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Styles’ comments came as the shooting of Belgal sparked protests and criticism from New York officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Belgal was shot after allegedly refusing to comply with officers conducting a targeted arrest operation, Fox News Digital reported. Federal officials said he accelerated his vehicle toward agents, prompting them to open fire. During a Thursday night news conference, Mamdani said he personally urged Trump to release Belgal and condemned the federal immigration agency.
“We know that ICE is rotten to its core. Today’s shooting is only further devastating confirmation of what we have long known…” Mamdani said.
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Marcos Charles, a senior ICE official, defended the shooting during a Friday news conference alongside Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, saying officers believed their lives were in danger.
“Our officers, using their training and believing that their life and the life of the partners and the general public were in danger, used their training and fired weapons,” Charles said.
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Officials said agents were unaware that Belgal’s son was inside the vehicle. The child was unharmed.
The Department of Homeland Security said Belgal had a prior grand larceny conviction and previous arrests for assault, robbery, drug possession and weapons possession. Federal officials also alleged ties to the Trinitarios street gang.
A federal judge temporarily blocked Belgal’s deportation Friday while his legal challenge to detention proceeds, and the New York Police Department released body camera footage showing the aftermath of the shooting.
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