So far, this year’s awards season has been more politically charged than most, and Sunday night’s SAG Awards were no exception. In the midst of the political turmoil currently facing the country, actors used their moment in the spotlight to express their views. Here, the biggest statements of the night.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
After winning for her role in Veep, comedian Julia Louis-Dreyfus struck a somber tone onstage. She called Trump's immigrant ban "un-American" and said that her father came to the United States as a refugee fleeing Nazi-occupied France.
Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington wore a symbolic safety pin on her dress, a detail she shared on social media to show her support for marginalized groups.
Mahershala Ali
Moonlight's Mahershala Ali gave a moving speech in which he recounted the divide that developed between himself and his mother when he converted to Islam years ago. He went on to say that they eventually worked out their differences and called the details of his religious affiliation "minutiae."
Bryan Cranston
Bryan Cranston, who won an award for his portrayal of Lyndon B. Johnson, shared some thoughts on what LBJ might say to President Trump. He quoted the former president as being fond of saying, "Just don't piss in the soup we all gotta eat," a joke that was met with laughter from the crowd.
Taylor Schilling
When Orange Is The New Black took the award for Best Comedy Ensemble for the third year in a row, actress Taylor Schilling used her acceptance speech to highlight the diversity of the cast. "We stand up here representing a diverse group of people, representing generations of families that have sought better lives here — Nigeria, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Ireland. And we know that it's going to be up to us, and all of you probably too, to show that what unites is stronger than the forces trying to divide us."
Sarah Paulson
While accepting her award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series, actress Sarah Paulson called for viewers to donate to the ACLU. "It wasn't a tough decision to come up with what I wanted to say. I mean, I am not an immigrant. I was born here. So in terms of how I can speak about it from a personal standpoint from my youth or something, [that] wasn't available to me, so I just wanted to have an opportunity to mention the inclusivity I think is required right now in general, and the ACLU to me represents that across the board. And they do really rely on funds from people like you and me at this time."
David Harbour
When our favorite cast of all time won the Best Drama Ensemble award, actor David Harbour had some strong words to say on behalf of his Stranger Things costars. "We 1983 Midwesterners will repel bullies, we will shelter freaks and outcasts 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, the disenfranchised and the marginalized. And we will do it all with soul, with heart and with joy."
