Wyatt Russell, known for his role in Thunderbolts and the son of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, was wrongly identified in a widely-shared video featuring a heated exchange during recent Los Angeles anti-ICE protests. The case of Wyatt Russell misidentified at Los Angeles anti-ICE protests unfolded as misinformation spread rapidly, prompting his representative to speak out and clarify the error.
Representative Responds to Spreading Misinformation
As videos of the Los Angeles protests circulated online, a particular clip showed a man speaking forcefully to armed officials, with some viewers claiming the individual was Wyatt Russell. This confusion was quickly addressed by Russell’s team, who confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that he was not present at the scene and that efforts are ongoing to dispel the false identification.
The viral video captured an impassioned individual telling officers,
on the wrong side of history.
—unidentified man
He continued,
Your assault rifles and your sticks? You should be standing here with us,
—unidentified man
We know you got a job to do, but you took an oath to the Constitution, not to the fascists in the White House. Think about what you’re doing now. Think about what this means.
—unidentified man
The man added another pointed statement,
Coming into our community, peaceful f—ing community — people working their jobs. They’re sending men in military fatigues, weapons of war. And you stand here and you allow it . . . do you think any of these people in the White House sending you these commands give a f— about you?
—unidentified man
He concluded by urging authorities to,
think about your place in history.
—unidentified man
Background on the Protests and High-Profile Attendance
The Los Angeles protests began on a Friday, following raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in several predominantly Latino neighborhoods, including a raid at a downtown clothing warehouse. The already tense situation intensified after Donald Trump deployed the National Guard—a move California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass both condemned as a dangerous overstep.
Governor Newsom labeled Trump’s actions as an attempt to inflame tensions and a serious breach of state sovereignty, announcing his plan to initiate legal action against the federal administration on Monday.
A number of public figures were also present to support the protests. Notably, Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day and Finneas O’Connell attended, with O’Connell recounting how he was tear-gassed
almost immediately at the very peaceful protest.
—Finneas O’Connell, musician
Finneas, the older brother of Billie Eilish, accused the authorities of provoking chaos, joining other celebrities such as Mark Ruffalo, Eva Longoria, Chrissy Teigen, and Tyler, the Creator, who all used social media to voice their opposition to the ICE raids and the government’s response.
Significance and Broader Impact
The incident highlighting Wyatt Russell being misidentified at Los Angeles anti-ICE protests reflects the challenges of viral misinformation and the heightened scrutiny surrounding public demonstrations. The fast spread of erroneous details underscores the tensions between officials and the community, while participation from high-profile individuals like Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, and prominent artists has drawn added public focus to the protests and governmental actions in Los Angeles.
As Governor Newsom prepares to pursue legal measures and the city recovers from a weekend of unrest, questions remain about the future approach of both local authorities and national leaders in responding to such events, as well as the ongoing influence of high-profile voices in shaping public perception.
