Fiona Apple has spoken candidly about her feelings towards the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, otherwise known as ICE.
The singer has narrated a new short film educating people on how to safely document and record ICE arrests.
Speaking to Vulture about the animation, she condemned ICE agents as “f***ing scary”. “They’re horrible. And ICE is abusing people. They’re assaulting women,” she continued.
The “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” singer added: “They’re really scary dudes. Who are they? They must have failed the f****ing psych test to be a police officer and now they’re in charge of kids and women.”
The animated short was made in partnership with We Have Rights – a campaign which assists people in defending their rights during encounters with ICE – and organisations including Brooklyn Defender Services and WITNESS.
The three-minute video explains how to safely and effectively document an ICE arrest. For example, it instructs people to focus on filming the agents and checking that any warrant displayed by them is in fact signed by a judge. It also suggests capturing the agents’ badges on camera, as well as filming the surrounding street signs for context.
Apple called the video “absolutely essential”. She said, “It’s all such valuable information. Getting that info and learning it, for me, at least, makes me feel equipped to help.”
The Grammy-winning musician also criticised the US president for his anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies. “F*** you, Donald Trump. Your ancestors were immigrants, supposedly fleeing religious persecution. But now, seeking asylum because you’re being persecuted is not deemed a necessary reason to travel.”
Apple also revealed that she had initially reached out to Jennifer Lopez to narrate the Spanish-language version of the video but did not hear back. “I was like ‘Worth a try!’” she said. The Spanish-language video is instead narrated by activist Erika Andiola.
Following the release of her critically acclaimed studio album Fetch the Bold Cuttersin April, Apple promised to donate two years’ worth of song royalties to charity.
