Award winning actors talk on stage about Trump’s Muslim ban
US president Donald Trump’s immigration ban is the trending most thing you will encounter on social media as well as real world nowadays. From showbiz to tech industry to common people, everybody is voicing their opinion regarding Trump’s major step to ‘build the wall’ within one week of taking chair. The most recent flock that joined the anti immigration-ban group to voice their condemnation on a public platform is of the winners of 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Whether scathing or subtle, just about everyone who took the stage Sunday night to collect an award had something to say about the #MuslimBan — starting with the red carpet and lasting all the way to the final speech, reports Mashable.
Here are all 13 times the issue was addressed on the telecast:
Ashton Kutcher
“Good evening fellow SAG/AFTRA members, 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.”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
“Whether the Russians did or did not hack the voting of tonight's SAG awards, I look out on the million — or million and a half people — in this room and I say, this award is legitimate and I won. I am the winner. The winner is me. Landslide. To a less insane note ... I want you all to know that I am the daughter of an immigrant. My father fled religious persecution in Nazi occupied France ... and I love this country. ... This immigrant ban is a blemish, and it is un-American.”
William H Macy
Macy won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series for playing a terrible, terrible person in Shameless.
“I would like to go against the stream this evening and thank President Trump … for making Frank Gallagher seem so normal.”
The 'Orange is the New Black' cast
Taylor Schilling took the mic for the cast's win for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series:
“We’d like to say that we stand up here representing a diverse group of people, representing generations of families who have sought a better life here, from places like Nigeria, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Ireland (Brooklyn!) yes. And we know that it’s gonna be up to all of us, and probably you, too, to keep telling stories that show what unites us is stronger than the forces that seek to divide us.”
Viggo Mortensen and Catherine Hahn
Viggo Mortensen and Kathryn Hahn, stars of Captain Fantastic, used a bit from their film (about a big family that lives off the grid) while presenting an award.
Mortensen threw his fist in the air, saying "Power to the people!"
And right on cue, the rest of the cast, all sitting together, jumped to their feet and cried:
“STICK IT TO THE MAN!”
Mahershala Ali
Ali won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Moonlight, then launched into an emotional plea:
“What I’ve learned from working on Moonlight is, uh, we see what happens when we persecute people. They fold into themselves. And what was so great about having the opportunity to play Juan was playing a gentleman folding into himself as a result of persecution by his community and taking that opportunity to uplift him and tell him that he mattered and that he was OK, and accept him. ... I hope we do a better job of that. We kinda get caught up in the minutiae, the details that make us all different; I think there’s two ways of seeing that. There’s an opportunity to see the texture of that person, to see the characteristics that make them unique. And then there’s the opportunity to go to war about it. And to say that person is different from me and I don’t like you. Let’s battle. My mother is an ordained minister. I’m a Muslim. She didn’t do backflips when I called to tell her I converted 17 years ago. But I tell you now: We put things to the side. And I’m able to see her, and she’s able to see me. We love each other, the love is grown.”
Sarah Paulson
Paulson won for her portrayal of crusading lawyer Marcia Clark, then advocated for some other crusading lawyers:
“Any spare money that anyone may have they should donate to the ACLU … to protect the rights and liberties of people across the country. It’s a vital organisation that relies entirely on our support. So please, if you can — thank you very much. “
Bryan Cranston
Cranston won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for All the Way, in which he played Lyndon B Johnson — and felt like he gained an understanding of the former president in the process:
How would Lyndon Johnson think about Donald Trump? And I honestly feel that 36 would put his arm around 45 and earnestly wish him success. And he would whisper in his ear something he said often, as a form of encouragement — and a cautionary tale — "Just don’t piss in the soup that all of us gotta eat."
Lily Tomlin
“The Doomsday Clock has been moved up to 2 1/2 minutes to midnight. And this awards, it came just in the nick of time…. Live your life so that when you are being honoured for your achievements … the people called upon to make laudatory remarks can be reasonably honest. In these times, all their words might be perceived as alternative facts, or worse yet, fake news. ... What sign should I make for the next march? So much to do, global warming, Standing Rock, LBGT issues, Chinese missiles ...”
Alia Shawkat
The Search Party star was presenting the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, and opened with the traditional Arabic greeting:
“Salaam Alaikum!”
Emma Stone
The winner for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (La La Land, of course) was pretty overwhelmed, but got her comment in, too:
“Just … we’re in a really tricky time in our country and things are very inexcusable and scary and need action and I’m so grateful to be part of a group of people that cares and wants to reflect things back to society.”
Taraji P Henson
Hidden Figures won the night's big honour — Best Ensemble — and Henson took the mic for a final grace note:
“[Hidden Figures] story is of unity. This story is about what happens when we put our differences aside. And we come together as a human race, we win. Love wins. Every time. Thank you so much for appreciating the work we've done, thank you so much for appreciating these women.”
David Harbour
Stranger Things scooped the prize for Outstanding Performance for an Ensemble in a Drama Series. David Harbour got on stage and delivered a barnstorming speech.
“We are united in that we are all human beings and we are all together on this horrible, painful, joyous, exciting and mysterious ride that is being alive. Now, as we act in the continuing narrative of Stranger Things, we 1983 Midwesterners 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 lost amidst the hypocrisy and 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 meek, the disenfranchised and the marginalized, and we will do it all with soul, with heart and with joy. We thank you for this responsibility."
Source: Mashable