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Even before the SAG Awards began tonight, politics were at the forefront, with The Big Bang Theory’s Simon Helberg and Jocelyn Towne rocking one big statement of an ensemble choice. But the speeches were on another level entirely. Nearly every single presenter and winner to hit the stage took the opportunity to acknowledge the bans put into place by President Trump Friday night, sharing messages of unity, hope and resistance. Check out a few of their most moving words below.
Mahershala Ali of @moonlightmov #sagawards pic.twitter.com/q9txL6fW8R
— SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) January 30, 2017
1. Mahershala Ali: Marhershala Ali had us in tears when he spoke the following words in his acceptance speech for Moonlight. “What I’ve learned from working on Moonlight is we see what happens when you persecute people; they fold into themselves… and what I was so grateful about in having the ability 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 that opportunity to tell him that he mattered… that he was okay… and accept him… and I hope that we do a better job of that.” Us too, Mahershala. Us too.
2. Kerry Washington: Not only did actress Kerry Washington make a political statement (albeit on a much smaller scale than Simon Helberg and wife Jocelyn Towne) on the red carpet by donning safety pins to denote unity, she used her airtime to make one as well, saying, “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 very humanity and worth of all people. This union helps me to do that. I am Kerry Washington and I am an actor.” (Photo via Roy Rochlin/Getty)
Taylor Schilling
Taylor kept it real during the OITNB cast acceptance speech, saying, “We stand up here representing a diverse group of people, representing generations of families who have sought a better life here…we know that it’s going to be up to us and up to all of you to keep telling stories. What united us is stronger than the forces that seek to divide us.” (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty)
Vid: @OfficialJLD (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), to applause, at #SAGAwards live on TNT: “Immigrant ban is un-American” #TTT pic.twitter.com/8vJ4Z62igd
— Brent Baker (@BrentHBaker) January 30, 2017
5. Ashton Kutcher: Ashton Kutcher addressed those currently being affected by President Trump’s orders and those fighting for them, saying, “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.” (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty)
