Danny Trejo Not Apologizing for Taking Role in Daily Wire Movie Inspired By Minneapolis ICE Shooting, Says He’s ‘Pro Immigrant’
Danny Trejo isn’t backing down from his decision to take a role in a movie produced by right-wing media company The Daily Wire.
Danny Trejo says his job is to ‘tell a story’
The actor has been on the receiving end of backlash after it was revealed that he would appear alongside Harvey Keitel in Pawn Shop. Elements of the movie are apparently inspired by the death of Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this year. On January 7, ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot Good as she attempted to leave the scene of a protest in her vehicle.
Details of Trejo’s role in the film, which has been filming in Livingston, Montana, are scarce. But on Friday, the Machete star took to Instagram to address criticism he’d received for working on the movie, which reportedly takes a pro-ICE stance.
“Hey everyone,” he wrote. “I want to address some social media comments about me. Make no mistake. I am a proud Mexican who always has been and will be a supporter of my community. I am also, obviously, pro immigrant. I am not pro ice.”
“I know where I come from and I know our struggles,” he added. “I am an actor. My job is to tell a story. God bless you. Danny.”
‘Pawn Shop’ filming draws protest
Pawn Shop focuses on an ICE agent who must escape an angry mob that wants to free a prisoner he’s detained. The movie’s script describes a character who is killed by an ICE officer after hitting the agent’s car with her vehicle as “40, a fat blue-hair (with) another unattractive woman of a similar age,” according to the Bozeman Chronicle.
Other elements of the script seem to be inspired by the 1992 LA riots. A group described as “roof Koreans” provide backup to the ICE officers when they are attacked by MS-13 gang members. That element of the story mirrors the armed Korean business owners and residents who took to their roofs to defend themselves during the Rodney King riots.
Some Livingston residents have protested the movie, both because of its subject matter and because production made it difficult for to access local resources, including a food pantry.
Meanwhile, Trejo’s comments about his role in Pawn Shop did not satisfy many critics.
“You could have simply said ‘NO GRACIAS,’” one person commented on his post.
“You’re happy to collect a check from Ben Shapiro?” another wrote, referring to the The Daily Wire founder. “You can do better than that and should.”
“So what you’re saying is, you’ll take any role for money,” someone else chimed in. “Even if it conflicts with your self stated values. Got it.”
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