The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards this year became a platform for celebrities who collectively took a not-so-subtle dig at US President Donald Trump’s immigration ban.
On Friday, the president signed an executive order suspending all refugee admissions from seven predominantly Muslim countries and the American film fraternity couldn’t be more vocal about their distaste for the decision.
Ashton Kutcher opened the glittery night with a fiery speech addressing “everyone at the airports”, thus admonishing Trump’s policies.
Good evening fellow SAGs and everyone at home, and everyone in airports that belong in my America. You are a part of the fabric of who we are, and we love you and we welcome you.Ashton Kutcher, Actor
“I’m Kerry Washington & I’m An Actor”
Kerry Washington, of Scandal fame, also shut down anyone who believes that actors shouldn’t express their political opinions.
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.Kerry Washington
Personal Reflections
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who added another feather to her cap with her performance in the political satire Veep, said she was the daughter of an immigrant who fled religious persecution in Nazi-occupied France.
Because I love this country, I am horrified by its blemishes. And this immigrant ban is a blemish and it is un-American.Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Actor
Moonlight actor, Mahershala Ali made a powerful speech about celebrating our uniqueness, rather than allowing it to divide us.
I’m a Muslim. When we get caught up in the minutia and the details that make us all different, I think there’s two ways of seeing that. There’s the opportunity to see the texture of that person, the characteristics that make them unique, and then there’s an opportunity to go to war about it and say that this person is different from me, I don’t like you, so let’s battle.Mahershala Ali, Actor
On the red carpet, The Big Bang Theory’s Simon Helberg proudly held a sign that said “Refugees Welcome”.
David Harbour got a standing ovation for his hair-raising acceptance speech. He collected the award, along with the cast of Stranger Things, for Best Ensemble in a TV Drama Series.
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