From the first few minutes of host Jimmy Kimmel's opening monologue, the 2017 Academy Awards were full of political moments. Winners and presenters alike took the stage and spoke their minds against President Trump's policies, especially on immigration. Take a look at just some of the political highlights from the Oscars.
Blue Ribbons on the Red Carpet
Celebrities hit the red carpet for the Oscars Sunday night wearing blue ribbons. They were symbols to show support and raise awareness for the American Civil Liberties Union. Nominee Ruth Negga explained the ACLU was fighting for a "basic love of human rights," which she felt strongly about given her role in the movie Loving. And Emma Stone and Dakota Johnson wore subtle tributes to Planned Parenthood on the red carpet.
Ava DuVernay's Designer Tribute
Director Ava DuVernay, a nominee for her movie 13th, wore a stunning dress by Lebanese designer Mohammed Ashi on the red carpet. She noted that the dress was a message of solidarity, and she purposely chose to wear a designer from a majority Muslim country.
Jimmy Kimmel on the "Overrated" Meryl Streep
During his opening monologue, host Jimmy Kimmel brought up Meryl Streep's anti-Trump Golden Globes speech—and the President's angry tweets in response. Kimmel brought up a list of her "inspiring and overrated" performances in which she "phoned it in." He even asked if her dress was "an Ivanka," and the answer was almost certainly a no.
Academy Head Says "Art Has No Borders"
A year after the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag pointed out racial disparities in representation at the Academy Awards, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, the president of the Academy for Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, made a powerful statement about diversity. "Tonight is proof that art has no borders," she said in her speech. "All creative artists around the world are connected by an unbreakable bond that is powerful and permanent."
Absent Winner Speaks Volumes About Trump's Travel Ban
Director Asghar Farhadi won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film for his movie The Salesman. But he wasn't in attendance, deciding to skip the ceremony in solidarity with people affected by President Trump's now-stalled immigration ban. "Dividing the world into the U.S. and our enemies categories creates fear," he said in a statement. "A deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression."
Gael Garcia Bernal Hits Back at Trump's Border Wall
Presenter Gael Garcia Bernal took a moment to speak about President Trump's plan to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. "As a Latin-American, as a migrant worker, as a human being, I'm against any form of wall that wants to separate us," he said.
The New York Times Speaks "The Truth"
[youtube ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY0Fdz350GE&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
During the Oscars broadcast, the New York Times aired an ad responding to President Trump's constant complaints about "fake" news. "The truth is more important now than ever," the ad read. During the actual show, Kimmel joked, "We have no tolerance for fake news. Fake tans we love."
"The White Helmets" Put the Spotlight on Syria
The short-form documentary The White Helmets won the Oscar in its category, and the filmmakers read a statement from Raed Al Saleh, the head of the Syrian rescue group, who could not be there Sunday night. "It's very easy for these guys to feel forgotten," filmmaker Orlando von Eisindel said. He asked the crowd to stand up "to remind them that we all care, that this war ends as quickly as possible."
Kimmel Tweets Trump
Jimmy Kimmel tried to get President Trump's attention during the broadcast the only way he knows how: through Twitter. The POTUS was attending the Governor's Ball that night, so there wasn't an immediate response.
