1. When Simon Helberg from The Big Bang Theory walked the red carpet for the SAG Awards carrying a sign that read, “Refugees welcome,” and his wife, actor Jocelyn Towne, had the words “Let them in” written on her chest.
2. When Ashton Kutcher opened the show by welcoming “everyone in airports that belong in my America … you are a part of the fabric of who we are.”
“Good evening, fellow SAG-AFTRA members and everyone at home — and everyone in airports that belong in my America,” he said as the first presenter of the night. “You are a part of the fabric of who we are, and we love you and we welcome you.”
3. When Julia Louis-Drefyus flat-out said in her acceptance speech, “This immigrant ban is a blemish and it’s un-American.”
“I want you all to know that I’m the daughter of an immigrant,” the Veep star said, accepting the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series. “My father fled religious persecution in Nazi-occupied France. I’m an American patriot love this country. Because I love this country, I am horrified by its blemishes. And this immigrant ban is a blemish and it’s un-American. Our guilds are unions of storytellers who have always welcomed those from other nations, and of varying beliefs, who wish to share their creativity with America. We are grateful to them. We stand with them. We will fight for them.”
4. When Taylor Schilling said on behalf of the Orange Is the New Black cast: “We stand up here representing a diverse group of people, representing generations of families who have sought a better life here.”
While accepting the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, Schilling said: “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 all of you to keep telling stories. What unites us is stronger than the forces that seek to divide us.”
“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 opportunity to play Juan, was playing a gentleman who saw a young man folding into himself as a result of the persecution of his community. And taking that opportunity to uplift him, and tell him that he mattered, and that he was OK. And accept him. And I hope that we do a better job of that,” Ali said while accepting the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role. “My mother’s 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, we put things to the side. And I’m able to see her, she’s able to see me. We love each other, the love has grown, and that stuff is minutiae — it’s not that important.”
6. When Sarah Paulson urged anyone who can afford it to donate to the ACLU.
The actor ended her acceptance speech for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie with the plea to those watching “to protect the rights and liberties of people across this country.”
7. When Alia Shawkat took the stage to present and said, “As-salamu alaykum,” an Arabic greeting that means, “Peace be with you.”
She also wrote, “No ban, no wall, love 4 all!” on the SAG Awards’ backstage wall.
8. When Lily Tomlin wrote a message in French to Donald Trump on the wall backstage that said, “To Donald T, Sois sage,” which translates to, “Behave yourself.”
The actor won the annual SAG Life Achievement Award.
9. And when Stranger Things star David Harbour gave a passionate speech, saying, “We will, as per Chief Jim Hopper, punch some people in the face when they seek to destroy the the weak and the disenfranchised and the marginalized.”
“I would just like to say that in light of all that is going on in the world today, it’s difficult to celebrate the already celebrated Stranger Things, but this award from you, who take your craft seriously and earnestly believe, like me, that great acting can change the world is a call to arms from our fellow craftsmen and women to go deeper. And through our art, to battle against fear, self-centeredness, and exclusivity, of our predominantly narcissistic culture. And through our craft, cultivate a more empathetic and understanding society by revealing intimate truths that serve as a forceful reminder to folks that when they feel broken and afraid and tired, they are not alone. 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,” Harbour said while accepting Stranger Things’ award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
“Now, as we act in the continuing narrative of Stranger Things, we 1983 Mid-Westerners will repel bullies, we will shelter freaks and outcasts, those who have no homes. We will get past the lies, we will hunt monsters, and when we are lost amongst 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 the weak and the disenfranchised and the marginalized. And we will do it all with soul, with heart, and with joy.”
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