Danny Trejo has publicly stated that he is not “pro ICE” despite taking a role in a controversial upcoming movie being produced by conservative commentator Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire Productions.
Trejo, 82, is a Hollywood star known for his roles in films including Heat, From Dusk Till Dawn and the Machete franchise.
However, his latest casting has provoked uproar after it was revealed he will appear in Pawn Shop, a film set in Minneapolis in the immediate aftermath of the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good earlier this year.
In a statement posted to Instagram, Trejo began: “Hey everyone. I want to address some social media comments about me.”
He continued: “Make no mistake. I am a proud Mexican who has always been and will always 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. I am an actor. My job is to tell a story. God bless you, Danny.”
Trejo’s statement was met with a mixed response. One Instagram user asked: “If you’re not pro ICE, then why are you starring in a pro ICE movie?”
Another stated: “But you chose to be a part of a pro-ICE movie; you didn’t have to do it.”
However, some fans seemed to defend Trejo, with one writing: “Omg people, he’s an actor and making movies is a job.. doesn’t mean he supports ICE or anything else.. Yes many are right, he could say no to the job,but he needed the job to get out of the house lol..”
Production of Pawn Shop is currently underway in Livingston, Montana, where it has already been met with protests.
Locals complained that they were not warned about the use of blank gunshots and other disturbances, and production was temporarily suspended until a new permit was issued.
An official synopsis for Pawn Shop reads: “When chaos hits the streets of Minneapolis, a young federal agent is left alone after his partner is seriously hurt and must find a way to survive an increasingly dangerous situation.
“Seeking shelter inside a neighborhood pawn shop, he becomes trapped with a traditional Hispanic father and his progressive college-age son, forcing three very different men to confront fear, conflicting beliefs and a crisis that tests their courage and humanity.”
Along with Trejo, the cast of Pawn Shop is also set to include Harvey Keitel and Henry Thomas.
