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The tragic death of Alex Pretti and Renee Good at the hands of ICE agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during January’s immigration enforcement sweep shocked the nation, igniting protests and demands for accountability. The operation, part of the federal government’s crackdown, left grief and outrage spilling into the streets as voices across the globe condemned the killings.
In response, Bruce Springsteen wrote and recorded his new song “Streets of Minneapolis,” a direct rebuke of U.S. President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign. It’s the latest reminder that the Boss has never abandoned protest music. Over the years, Springsteen has wielded his guitar as a weapon of conscience, exposing injustice and amplifying the struggles of ordinary people.
Here are ten of his most powerful protest songs:
Born in the U.S.A.
Often mistaken for a patriotic anthem, the song actually critiques the treatment of Vietnam veterans and the hollow promises of American power.
American Skin (41 Shots)
A haunting indictment of racialized policing, inspired by the killing of Amadou Diallo. Its refrain echoes decades of police brutality in America.
Death to My Hometown
From Wrecking Ball, this nerve-wracking track rails against economic injustice and corporate greed, channeling rage into song.
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Inspired by John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” this ballad gives voice to migrants, the homeless, and the working poor.
Youngstown
A steelworker’s lament, vividly depicting the collapse of America’s industrial heartland and the human toll of deindustrialization.
Factory
A stark portrait of working-class struggles from Darkness on the Edge of Town. Sung with weary empathy, it protests against the soul-crushing grind of labor.
My Hometown
A bittersweet ballad documenting racial tensions and economic decline in small town America.
Land of Hope and Dreams
A solidarity anthem against exclusion, envisioning a train that carries everyone—saints, sinners, losers, and winners alike.
We Take Care of Our Own
Released during the Great Recession, this track explores the tension between American ideals of community support and the harsh reality of neglect.
Devils & Dust
A protest song against war and moral compromise, sung from the perspective of a soldier wrestling with conscience.
Daniel is an avid lover of music and films. While most people his age would spend their leisure time playing online games, he enjoys creating playlists and movie lists. Daniel has also written opinion pieces for various publications. He studied Political Science at Adamson University and is currently an associate at the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation. He would never say no to a cold beer!
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Daniel Aloc
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