. As Multiple Stars Use Their Moment In The Spotlight To Rail Against President’s Immigration Ban
Just days after President Donald Trump issued his executive order halting immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries, Hollywood en masse let him know exactly how they felt as they gathered for the 23rd annual SAG awards.
Several stars, including Ashton Kutcher, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Moonlight actor Mahershala Ali all used the night as a way to speak out and share their strong opinions about the President’s immigration ban.
In what was the most rousing speech of the night, David Harbour took the stage with the rest of the 16-ensemble cast of the Netflix show Stranger Things and spoke about being united and standing out against bullies.
‘I would just like to say that in light of all that’s going on in the world today, it’s difficult to celebrate the already celebrated Stranger Things,’ he said.
Not realizing that he was going to deliver such a speech, his fellow cast-mates, including Winona Ryder, looked confused. Harbor continued: ‘We are united in that we are all human beings and we are all together on this wonderful painful, horrible painful joyous exciting and mysterious ride that is being alive.
‘We will as per Chief Jim Hopper punch some people in the face when they seek to destroy the weak and the disenfranchised and the marginalized and we will do it all with soul with heart and with joy.’
The 16-person cast was on stage to accept their award for the best Ensemble in a Drama Series, and seemed to have no idea that Harbour was planning on making the statement that he did.
The cast looked shocked during his statement, and grew visibly excited and emotional while he was speaking.
He received a standing ovation from his fellow Stranger Things actors, as well as from the audience.
The tone of the night was set quickly when Ashton Kutcher took the stage to deliver his opening remarks.
The award host kicked off the show by saying: ‘Everyone at airports who belong in my America, you are a part of the fabric of who we are…we welcome you.’
Many other celebrities have made comments about the ban on Social Media, on the runway and in their speeches at the awards.
Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, whose father was an immigrant from Nazi-dominated France, said: ‘The immigrant ban is a blemish and it’s un-American.
She added ‘We are grateful for them, we stand with them, and we will fight for them.’
Mahershala Ali shared a very personal story of his as he accepted his award for best supporting actor in the film ‘Moonlight’.
The actor said: ‘What I learned from working on is that we see what happens when you persecute people.
‘They fold into themselves— and what I was so grateful about in having the opportunity to play Juan was playing a gentleman who saw a young man folding into himself as the result of the persecution of his community, and taking the opportunity to tell him that he mattered, that he was okay, and to accept him, and I hope that we do a better job at that.
‘We kind of get caught up at the minutiae, and the details that make us all different. I think that there’s two ways of seeing that; there’s an opportunity to see the texture of that person and the characteristics that make them unique.
‘And then there’s the opportunity to go to war about it, and say that that person is different from me and I don’t like that, so let’s battle.
‘My mother is an ordained minister, I’m a Muslim; she didn’t do back-flips when I called her to tell her I converted 17 years ago.
‘But I’ll tell you now, we put things to the side, I was able to see her, she was able to see me. We love each other, the love is real, and that stuff in minutiae, it’s not that important.’
Actress Sarah Paulson accepted an Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a miniseries or Television Movie for ‘The People v OJ Simpson: American Crime Story’.
She made a plea to her fellow actors and actresses, as well as anyone who is watching the awards, saying: ‘I’d like to make a plea for everyone if they can, any money that they have to spare, please donate to the ACLU… to protect the rights and liberties of people across this country. It’s a vital, vital organization that relies entirely on our support. So please, if you can.’
Kerry Washington made her opinion clear while still on the red carpet.
The Scandal actress said: ‘A lot of people are saying right now that actors should keep our mouths shut when it comes to politics.
‘But the truth is, no matter what, actors are activists because we embody the humanity and worth of all people. This union helps me to do that. I am Kerry Washington, and I am an actor.’
Washington also posted an Instagram before arriving at the awards of the safety pin that she is wearing on her dress. She said: ‘I’ll be wearing one of these tonight. On my arm. To show solidarity. We will not stop fighting for our safety and the safety of our fellow citizens and human beings.’
These comments were in direct reference to President Donald Trump’s attack on Meryl Streep after she very publicly criticized him in front of millions of people around the world at the Golden Globe Awards.
The cast of Orange is the New Black stood on the stage after receiving an award, and star Taylor Schilling said: ‘What unites us is stronger than the forces that seek to divide us.’
Bryan Cranston accepted an award for his portrayal of the 36th president of the United States, Lyndon B Johnson.
He said, in his acceptance speech: ‘I’m often asked how Lyndon Johnson would think about Donald Trump. And I honestly think 36 would put his arm around 45, and earnestly wish him success.’
Steven Yeun and Alia Shawkat (right) spoke on stage during to present one of the awards, and Shawkat was more subtle with her disapproval of the President. She carefully expressed her opposition through a greeting in Arabic, ‘assalamu alaikum’, which translates to ‘greetings’ or ‘peace be with you’.
Lily Tomlin’s speech, after receiving the Life Achievement award, poked fun at her fellow actors and actresses, but also spread a message of hope and change.
The lifelong actress said: ‘What sign should I make for the next march? So much to do: global warming, standing rock, LGBTQ issues, Chinese missiles, immigration… I feel like we could all go out and really change things.’
John Lithgow accepted an award for Male Actor in a Drama series for ‘The Crown’, in which he played Winston Churchill.
He spoke directly to Meryl Streep, referring to her Golden Globes speech that heavily criticized President Donald Trump’s policies during his acceptance, saying ‘She managed to speak my exact though
DAVID HARBOUR’S FULL SPEECH AT THE SAG AWARDS
I would just like to say that in light of all that’s going on in the world today, it’s difficult to celebrate the already celebrated Stranger Things.
‘This award from you, who take your craft seriously, and earnestly believe like me that great acting can change the world is a call to arms from our fellow craftsmen and women to go deeper and through our art to battle against fear self centeredness and exclusivity of our predominantly narcissistic culture, and through our craft to cultivate a more empathetic and understanding society by revealing infinite truths that serve as a forceful reminder to folks that when they feel broken and afraid and tired, they are not alone.
‘We are united in that we are all human beings and we are all together on this wonderful painful, horrible painful joyous exciting and mysterious ride that is being alive.
‘Now as we act in the continuing narrative of stranger things, we 1983 mid-westerners will repel bullies, we will shelter freaks and outcasts those who have no home, we will get past the lies we will hunt monsters and when we are at a loss amidst the hypocrisy and the casual violence of certain individuals and institutions we will, as per Chief Jim Hopper punch some people in the face when they seek to destroy the weak and the disenfranchised and the marginalized and we will do it all with soul with heart and with joy.’