Bruce Springsteen made political comments during his unbilled performance at the Light of Day WinterFest concert on January 17. The event took place at The Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.
Introducing his song "The Promised Land," Springsteen dedicated it to Renee Nicole Good. He criticized the tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), referring to them as "Gestapo tactics."
Springsteen stated that the ideals and values of the United States are currently undergoing significant testing. He expressed support for democracy, liberty, the importance of truth, the rule of law, and opposition to federal troops invading cities and using what he called "Gestapo tactics" against citizens. He also spoke against individuals being killed for exercising their right to protest, and referencing a mayor, suggested that ICE should leave Minneapolis.
The Light of Day festival, which has run for 26 years, raises money to support research against Parkinson's disease and related disorders. Springsteen has participated in 13 of these festivals.