2017 SAG Awards Features Activist Speeches from Taraji P. Henson, Mahershala Ali, and More
The Screen Actors Guild Awards occurred just two days after President Trump’s Muslim ban and the many protests that followed at airports and public spaces around the nation. As such, the air was heavy with expectation. Would the stars who turned out have something to say? It turns out they did, time and time again.
Celebrities weren’t afraid to do their part as they walked the red carpet, accepted awards, and celebrated one another’s achievements. It might seem like watching (or attending) an awards show during political unrest is frivolous, but celebrities have a lot of influence, and movies like Moonlight and Hidden Figures have opened doors and opened minds across the nation. The red carpet can be an ideal place to speak up, and these TK# actors are just one small sampling of those who have spoken out against recent events.
From Kerry Washington’s safety pin to Ashton Kutcher’s opening statement in support of those detained at airports nationwide, here’s how SAG guests spoke out and stood up for their beliefs.
Getty Images1/14Kerry Washington
The Scandal actress tweeted that she was wearing a safety pin with her gown. “We will not stop fighting for our safety & the safety of our fellow citizens and human beings,” she wrote. She also succinctly and brilliantly explained why so many actors are getting political these days, and why you won’t see her stopping any time soon.
Getty Images2/14Dev Patel
Lion star Dev Patel said that he felt he had “walked into a nightmare” upon hearing the news of the immigration ban. However, Dev also said that he finds hope in “all the people out there, those courageous human beings in the streets, in the airports, trying to spread positivity at least.”
Getty Images3/14Simon Helberg
The Big Bang Theory star Simon Helberg and his wife Jocelyn Towne hit the red carpet with a message; he carried a small sign reading “Refugees welcome,” while she wrote “Let them in” across her chest. It was a bold statement, and the kind of message we need to see from our celebrities today.
Getty Images4/14Ashton Kutcher
In his opening speech, Ashton Kutcher (who is married to Mila Kunis, who is an immigrant) greeted the guests and “everyone in airports that belongs in my America” to a round of enthusiastic applause. He went on [to say,](http://hollywoodlife.com/2017/01/29/ashton-kutcher-sag-awards-muslim-ban-opening/ “You are a part of the fabric of who we are, and we love you and we welcome you.”
Getty Images5/14Julia Louis-Dreyfus
While accepting her award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of a real-life president, Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus spoke out against the ban. “"I am the daughter of an immigrant,” she said, explaining that “My father fled religious persecution in Nazi-occupied France, and I am an American patriot … I love this country. I am horrified by its blemishes. This immigrant ban is a blemish, and it is un-American.”
Getty Images6/14Orange is the New Black cast
Taylor Schilling, speaking on behalf of the Orange is the New Black cast when they won an ensemble award for a comedy TV show, ended their acceptance speech by saying, “What unites us is stronger than the forces that seek to divide us.” Preach.
Getty Images7/14Mahershala Ali
Moonlight’s Mahershala Ali, who won for Outstanding Male Actor in a Supporting Role, gave a beautiful speech about persecution, acceptance, and love. Ali, who is Muslim, told a story about how his conversion to Islam didn’t change the love between himself and his mother, a pastor. It was a subtle, powerful moment that resonated with both the audience in the theater and at home.
Getty Images8/14Lily Tomlin
Legendary actress Lily Tomlin, who was honored with the SAG Life Achievement Award, used her time onstage to talk about what’s going on in our political climate today — not without her trademark humor, of course, referencing “fake news” and “alternative facts” in her speech. “Thank those people on whose shoulders you stand,” she said, acknowledging her partner Jane Wagner. In the press room, Lily offered her thoughts on the Trump administration, noting, “We have to be vigilant and stop certain behaviors so that someone who has not thought something through doesn’t get too far in the process.”
Getty Images9/14Taraji P. Henson
Hidden Figures star Taraji P. Henson said that her movie had a broader message. She told E!, “It's a story about unity, about when we're in our worst of times, how we can come together and get on the right side of history. So it's a reminder of what we need to do right now, today." (If you haven’t seen it yet, we can think of at least 5 good reasons why you should do so, ASAP.)
getty Images10/14Sarah Paulson
Sarah Paulson encouraged the audience to donate to the ACLU “to protect the rights and liberties of people across this country.” The actress won for her portrayal of prosecutor Marcia Clark in American Crime Story.
Getty Images11/14Emma Stone
When accepting her award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for La La Land, Emma thanked her fellow actors and their talents for bringing hope and joy to the world, even in dark times. “We’re in a really tricky time in our country,” she said, “and things are very inexcusable and scary and need action. I’m so grateful to be part of a group of people that cares and that wants to reflect things back to society.”
Getty Images12/14The Stranger Things cast
We were totally obsessed with Stranger Things last year, and so we were so excited when the group won for Best Ensemble in a Drama Series. The crew was beyond thrilled to win, and actor David Harbour gave a passionate, fiery speech that referenced our current-day situation and compared it to the show’s values and lessons: “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. We ... will repel bullies, we will shelter freaks and outcasts, those who have no home, we will get past the lies, we will hunt monsters.” That’s a message we can definitely get behind.
Getty Images13/14The Hidden Figures cast
When Taraji P. Henson took the stage with her Hidden Figures castmates to accept their award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, they celebrated the fact that the women in the movie are hidden no longer. Taraji spoke some serious words of wisdom at the end of her speech, noting that “This story is of unity. This story is about what happens when we put our differences aside. When we come together as a human race, we win. Love wins — every time.”
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