Professional wrestler Brody King, a prominent figure in All Elite Wrestling, recently took a strong public stance against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sparking a significant fundraising effort among wrestling fans. King, known for his formidable presence in the ring and his role as frontman for the hardcore band God’s Hate, wore an “Abolish ICE” t-shirt during AEW’s “Grand Slam Mexico” event on June 18, 2025, held in Mexico City. This powerful visual statement quickly resonated across social media platforms, drawing widespread attention from both the wrestling community and national news outlets like TMZ, MSNBC, The Hill, and Fox News.
The choice of slogan aligns with a political movement advocating for the dissolution of ICE, an agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws in the United States. King’s decision to display this message in Mexico was particularly poignant given recent immigration enforcement activities in California, his home state. Reports indicated increased ICE raids in areas across Los Angeles County, including Paramount, Culver City, and Boyle Heights. This sparked nationwide protests, the deployment of National Guard and Marine service members, hundreds of arrests, and raised fears within immigrant communities around the United States. These operations reportedly resulted in the arrest of hundreds of immigrants in Southern California and the Central Coast. Community organizations and nonprofits have been actively working to provide aid and support to families affected by these actions, many of whom are living in fear and facing immediate needs like food and rent assistance.
In response to the considerable attention generated by his shirt and to directly support those impacted by the raids, Brody King released a special benefit t-shirt. The design, created by Travis Art, featured an artistic depiction of his entrance in Mexico, complete with the “Abolish ICE” message prominently displayed on his shirt. King announced that all proceeds from the sales of this shirt would be donated to the Local Hearts Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Long Beach, California.
The Local Hearts Foundation is dedicated to empowering underserved communities and providing assistance to those in need. The organization’s work includes various initiatives throughout the year aimed at supporting families, such as distributing school supplies, providing Thanksgiving meals, and organizing Christmas gift drives. Crucially, the foundation has been on the ground assisting families directly affected by the recent ICE raids in Southern California, offering help with essential needs like rent and food. The executive director, Tito Rodriguez, along with volunteers, has been actively mobilizing community support, collecting donations and distributing food and aid to families who may be afraid to leave their homes. They have provided direct financial assistance, in one instance helping a young girl’s family with their rent after her mother was reportedly detained.
The initiative championed by Brody King and embraced by AEW fans proved to be incredibly successful, raising a total of $27,758.00. This substantial amount is designated to go directly to the Local Hearts Foundation, significantly bolstering their efforts to support families navigating the difficult circumstances created by immigration enforcement actions. This collective endeavor highlights how individuals and fan communities can leverage their visibility and shared passion for a cause to generate meaningful financial support for charitable organizations working on critical social issues.
