While taking the stage to introduce a clip from La La Land at Saturday’s Producers Guild of America awards, John Legend took the moment to address Donald Trump’s immigration ban. The singer’s message was clear and supported by many in attendance, painting a different picture of America “antithetical” to Trump’s orders:
“Los Angeles is the home of so many immigrants, so many creative people, so many dreamers. Our America is big, it is free, and it is open to dreamers of all races, all countries, all religions. Our vision of America is directly antithetical to that of President Trump. I want to specifically tonight reject his vision and affirm that America has to be better than that.”
The immigration ban loomed over the entire awards ceremony and many joined Legend in voicing their displeasure with the situation. Both Thandie Newton and Colin Firth addressed the ban during the presentation of the Stanley Kramer Award for Loving, with Firth accepting the award by connecting the film to the current situation facing many families across the nation:
“This is for Richard and Mildred Loving, the ACLU and for everyone whose families are being separated by the discrimination of others.”
O.J.: Made in America director Ezra Edelman also echoed Legend’s comments while accepting an award for the documentary, calling on producers to “keep telling stories about our humanity, about our country, about the world that we want to live in.”
While the tone throughout the night was one of support for those affected by the ban, it did shift quickly once Celebrity Apprentice producer Mark Burnett took the stage to accept his award for “outstanding producer of competition television” according to The Hollywood Reporter. Many apparently booed Burnett during his acceptance despite his claims that he has never supported the candidacy of Trump during the campaign season.
(Via The Hollywood Reporter)