Bruce Springsteen denounces Ice's “Gestapo methods” and dedicates his concert to Renee Good

During a surprise appearance at the Light of Day festival in Red Bank, New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen delivered one of his harshest public statements in recent years, denouncing what he called "Gestapo tactics" employed by federal forces in several U.S. cities, Minneapolis chief among them, under the Donald Trump administration.

Before performing “The Promised Land”, Springsteen took the stage for an explicitly political speech, arguing that the United States is going through a period of crisis unlike any in its recent history. "The United States, the ideals and values it has stood for over the past 250 years, are being tested as never before in modern times," he said. "Those values have never been in as much danger as they are today." From there came a direct appeal to the audience and, by extension, to American public opinion: "Send a message to the President."

Gathered here tonight, in this beautiful display of love, care and community; if you believe in democracy, in freedom; if you believe that truth still matters and is worth defending; if you believe in the rule of law and that no one is above it; if you oppose heavily armed federal troops with no identification invading American cities using Gestapo tactics against our fellow citizens; if you believe you don't deserve to be killed for exercising your constitutional right to protest, then send a message to this President. And, as the mayor of that city said, ICE needs to get out and leave Minneapolis.

Springsteen closed by dedicating "The Promised Land" to Renee Good, an American citizen and mother of three, killed by ICE during the federal police operations at the center of the protests.

This is not an isolated episode: the clash between Springsteen and Trump has accompanied U.S. political and cultural debate for years, confirming the artist's role as America's critical conscience.

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