At SAG Awards, protest of immigration ban takes spotlight

Aldis Hodge, from left, Theodore Melfi, Mahershala Ali, Jim Parsons, Kimberly Quinn, Kristen Dunst, Octavia Spencer, Saniyya Sidney, Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae, and Glen Powell pose in the press room with the awards for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture for “Hidden Figures” at the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Oscar season is looking more and more like one very well-dressed protest against President Donald Trump.

Simon Helberg, left, and Jocelyn Towne display protest signs against the U.S. policy of temporarily barring refugees and citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries, at the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

In speech after fiery speech at Sunday night’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, winners struck a defiant tone against Trump’s sweeping immigration ban. Their words varied from tender personal reflections to full-throated battle cries, but they were nearly uniform in channeling the nationwide demonstrations sparked by Trump’s halting of immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim nations.

Octavia Spencer, from left, Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson, and Kirsten Dunst accept the award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture for “Hidden Figures” at the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

The SAG Awards culminated with the evening’s top honor, best movie ensemble, going to the cast of “Hidden Figures.”

“This story is about unity,” said Henson, who stars alongside Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae in “Hidden Figures.” ”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.”

Perhaps the most moving speech came from Mahershala Ali, who won best supporting actor for his acclaimed performance in Barry Jenkins’ coming-of-age portrait, “Moonlight.” Ali said the film, about a shy, gay Miami boy’s hard life, held lessons of acceptance. “We see what happens when you persecute people,” Ali said. “The fold into themselves.”

Mahershala Ali of @moonlightmov #sagawards pic.twitter.com/q9txL6fW8R

— SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) January 30, 2017

Viola Davis accepts the award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a supporting role for “Fences”

“Thank you SAG-AFTRA!” – @violadavis #sagawards pic.twitter.com/OjfCLRLNgj

— SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) January 30, 2017

Denzel gives it up for “The guys that don’t get recognized!” #sagawards pic.twitter.com/Z8Q6c5uNpF

— SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) January 30, 2017

The hit Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black” won best ensemble in a comedy series for the third straight year.

“We stand up here representing a diverse group of people, representing generations of families who have sought a better life here from places like Nigeria, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Ireland,” said star Taylor Schilling, while a cast member added “Brooklyn!” ”And we know that it’s going to be up to us and all you, probably, to keep telling stories that show what unites us is stronger than the forces that divide us.”

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