The Screen Actors Guild Awards forged on in Los Angles this Sunday even as thousands swarmed Los Angeles International Airport to protest Donald Trump’s self-serving, inhumane ban on Muslim immigrants. But unlike the Golden Globes ceremony a few weeks ago where there was scant mention of the impending Trump administration and only Meryl Streep really spoke out during her lifetime achievement award speech, winners at the SAG Awards went after the hateful policies the administration has already pushed forward in one week since the inauguration.
From Taylor Schilling and the cast of Orange Is the New Black’s emphasis on their diverse cast to Moonlight's Mahershala Ali discussing being a Muslim under the current climate to a surprising rallying cry from David Harbour and the cast of Stranger Things, it’s clear that these celebrities won’t stand down from using their platform for good. Otherwise, what use is the platform, right?
Here are seven important speeches from the SAG Awards.
1. Julia Louis-Dreyfus
The highly decorated comedic actress was awarded the SAG for her role as the unhinged leader of the free world in Veep, and she used her opportunity at the podium to come for Donald Trump, his delusions, and his hateful policies, and she did it with a combination of humor and sincerity. She began by saying, "Whether Russians did or did not hack the voting of tonight’s SAG Awards, I look out on the million or probably million and a half people in this room, and I say this award is legitimate and I won!"
But then she turned serious. "I want you all to know that I am the daughter of an immigrant..." she began. Watch her full speech below.
2. Mahershala Ali
This amazing actor, who is finally getting the recognition he deserves after an already long career, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for Moonlight and also with the casts of Moonlight and Hidden Figures.
He used his win for best supporting actor in Moonlight to deliver a thoughtful call for religious tolerance
"My mother is an ordained minister. I’m a Muslim. She didn’t do backflips when I called her to tell her I converted 17 years ago. But I tell you now ― you 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 has grown. And that stuff is minutia. It’s not that important.”
Watch Mahershala below.
3. Sarah Paulson
As was widely anticipated, Sarah won the SAG for her searing portrayal of Marcia Clark in The People v. O.J. Simpson. She used part of her speech to urge people to open their wallets for our democracy.
“Any money you have to spare, please donate to the ACLU,” she said a day after President Trump signed an executive order barring people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. “It’s a vital organization that relies entirely on our support.”
Watch Sarah below.
4. Lily Tomlin
Lily's Nine to Five costar and friend Dolly Parton awarded Lily with a lifetime achievement for her body of work and activism throughout the years for civil rights and LGBT rights. The Grace and Frankie star gave a six-minute thank you speech that was loaded with humor and pathos (which has always been the hallmark of her comedy). Beyond a few loaded political statements, Lily thanked her wife, writer Jane Wagner.
“So much to do. Global warming, Standing Rock, LGBT issues, Chinese missiles, immigration," Lily said before closing her speech.
5. Orange Is the New Black
The diverse cast ofOrange Is the New Blacktook to the podium to accept the award for best ensemble in a comedy. Taylor Schilling, who plays Piper, delivered the speech with a little help from her castmates!
"We stand up here representing a diverse group of people representing generations of families who’ve sought a better life her from places like 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, to show what unites us is stronger than the forces that seek to divide us."
6. Hidden Figures
The audience cheered wildly when it was announced that the cast of Hidden Figures won for best ensemble in a motion picture. The film's stars Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae stood side by side with Taraji P. Henson who gave a speech that spoke to finally acknowledging the pioneering women (the real "hidden figures") who helped send John Glenn into space, and then she called for unity and love.
“This story is about 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.”
7. Stranger Things
In one of the big surprises of the night, the cast of Netflix's Stranger Things won the award for best ensemble in a drama. David Harbour, who plays Chief Hopper in the breakout series, delivered a rallying cry of a speech that brought the audience (and probably a lot of people at home) to their feet.
"We will get past the lies. We will hunt monsters. And when we are at a loss 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 what we have envisioned for ourselves and the marginalized. And we will do it all with soul, with heart, and with joy. We thank you for this responsibility!"
