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Members of Hollywood took to social media on Saturday and Sunday to speak out in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order banning refugees from entering the U.S. The order, signed by Trump on Friday, suspends refugees from entering the country for four months and indefinitely suspends Syrian refugees.
Celebs including Kumail Nanjiani, Ava DuVernay and J.K. Rowling took to Twitter to express disdain towards the president’s actions. Michael Moore tweeted about a Muslim protest occurring in New York, while Seth Rogen tweeted, “LA Protest on #Muslimban TODAY 1-5 at Federal Immigration Office, 300 N. Los Angeles St.” America Ferrera, who recently led a Women’s March against Trump, also voiced support for another protest taking place at the Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday evening.
LA Protest on #Muslimban TODAY 1-5 at Federal Immigration Office, 300 N. Los Angeles St. https://t.co/y2KOOJmqWx
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 28, 2017
There was question to whether helmer Asghar Farhadi would be allowed to enter the U.S. to attend the Oscars on Feb. 26 for his film The Salesman, which is nominated in the foreign-language film category. The pic’s star, Iranian actress Taraneh Alidoosti, on Thursday tweeted that she plans on boycotting the awards ceremony in protest of Trump. On Sunday morning, Farhadi announced in a lengthy statement that he would not be attending the Oscars because Trump’s executive order presented “ifs and buts which are in no way acceptable to me even if exceptions were to be made for my trip.”
The president, who signed the order on Friday, which was Holocaust Remembrance Day, said he is establishing “new vetting measures to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States of America.”
“We want to ensure that we are not admitting into our country the very threats our soldiers are fighting overseas,” Trump said as he signed the order at the Pentagon. “We only want to admit those into our country who will support our country and love deeply our people.”
The “Protection of the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States” cancels the US Refugee Admissions program for 120 days. According to the State Department, a 90-day ban affects Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen — all Muslim-majority nations.
Refugees will still be admitted by the U.S. on a case-by-case basis, and the government will still consider requests from those who cite religious persecution. This past year, the U.S. accepted 85,995 refugees, with 12,587 being from Syria. Barack Obama set the limit this year at 110,000.
SAG-AFTRA responded to the immigration ban on Tuesday: “SAG-AFTRA’s membership includes creative professionals from all over the world. This union values equality of opportunity regardless of race, gender, creed, disability, sexual orientation or country of birth. Any public policy that enacts discrimination based on religious or national background runs absolutely counter to those values and will be vigorously resisted. This immigration policy is misguided and we will support our fellow artists every step of the way.”
The Directors Guild of America also issued a statement on Tuesday regarding the order: “The DGA strongly believes that artists — regardless of their national origin, faith, or gender — should be able to come to the United States to showcase their work. Policies that prevent this, without due consideration, should be of concern to all who care about art and cinema. The open exchange of art is core to who we are, it’s what motion pictures and television are increasingly about — drawing humanity together, transcending borders and cultures. The DGA will continue to support the ability of artists to work and share their art in the United States.”
Hillary Clinton took to Twitter amid Saturday night’s protests to say, “I stand with the people gathered across the country tonight defending our values & our Constitution. This is not who we are.” Her daughter, Chelsea Clinton, joined her fellow New Yorkers to protest on Sunday:
#NewYork #NoBanNoWall pic.twitter.com/4rndBgMDAH
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) January 29, 2017
A second day of protests were seen by Sunday afternoon.
Early Tuesday morning, former first daughter Jenna Bush Hager, who’s currently a correspondent for NBC News, shared her George W. Bush’s memorable “Islam is peace” speech, which the then-president delivered just days after 9/11.
See the reactions from many stars in Hollywood below.
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Amplifying words of one of my favorite filmmakers, Asghar Farhadi, who like too many others will be turned away from the Land of the Free. pic.twitter.com/CcskcFueuo
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) January 28, 2017
The day the music died… “Protestors gather at New York’s JFK Airport over refugee detainment”https://t.co/h8eyFmbAOs
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) January 28, 2017
You’re saying to a billion people “You’re all the same. You’re all dangerous to us.” Children hear this. You breed evil here & everywhere.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) January 28, 2017
As someone who was born in Pakistan I can tell you coming into America is VERY difficult. A #Muslimban accomplishes nothing but hate.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) January 28, 2017
Bless up I am a Muslim American love is the love is the answer. It’s so amazing to see some… https://t.co/zz3wTDQ3LX
— DJ KHALED (@djkhaled) January 30, 2017
Protest happening at LAX (& airports around the country)! Let’s stand up 4 one another LA! #NoBanNoWall #RefugeesWelcome #ImmigrantsWelcome pic.twitter.com/8jex7OSV2R
— America Ferrera (@AmericaFerrera) January 28, 2017
“Dad, are we finally safe from people who come from countries where Trump has no business interests?”
“Yes, sweetie. Go to sleep.”— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) January 28, 2017
When I worked for Amnesty International in the 80s, these were the kind of stories told by political prisoners in dictatorships. https://t.co/y7CXLQK1n0
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 28, 2017
1. Trump’s #MuslimBan is against the law. The 1965 Immigration & Naturalization Act eliminated national origins as a basis for immigration.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) January 28, 2017
Everybody in NYC area– head to JFK Terminal 4 NOW! Big anti-Trump protest forming out of nowhere! Ppl mobilizing against Trump’s Muslim ban
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 28, 2017
.@realDonaldTrump
NACHO u have taken a shit on our flag & our imperative separation of church & state.
You suck at America.— Nick Offerman (@Nick_Offerman) January 28, 2017
Can’t believe he’s actually doing the disgusting unconstitutional things he promised to do. The Muslim ban is awful & will not be tolerated.
— Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) January 28, 2017
To my Muslim people deeply sincerely apologize for this disgusting act of hate exhibited by our so called president. This is #unAmerican
— marlon wayans (@MarlonWayans) January 28, 2017
Along with liar,racist,misogynist,fool,infantile,sick,narcissist-with the Muslim ban we can now add heartless & evil to DT’s repertoire.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) January 28, 2017
This #MuslimBan is disgusting and disturbing. #MakeAmericaHateAgain
— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) January 28, 2017
To the dude who said I don’t belong in America, I started a fundraising page for Syrian Refugees in your name. https://t.co/NOR5P48fBi pic.twitter.com/jtJOsK9GrU
— Kal Penn (@kalpenn) January 28, 2017
#muslimban is making me cry LIBERAL TEARS for our country and its future, and you know what that means? COMPASSION, YOU MOFOS!!
— Rachel Dratch (@TheRealDratch) January 28, 2017
We’ve lost something very precious.
And traded it for a cowardly, foolish illusion of safety.
I’m ashamed.#MuslimBan
— Adam McKay (@GhostPanther) January 28, 2017
I’m thinking of all the Syrian families I met in Iraq last year in the desperate refugee camps and how hopeless it felt. So much worse now.
— Ewan McGregor (@mcgregor_ewan) January 28, 2017
This is sick & cruel & we’re better than this. Our grandkids will look back on this the way we look back at Japanese internment: with shame
— Richard Dreyfuss (@RichardDreyfuss) January 28, 2017
Welcome to Trump’s America where, as long as he’s got it all, the rest can go fuck themselves.
— Harvey Fierstein (@HarveyFierstein) January 28, 2017
#protest #NoBanNoWall @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenateMajLdr @SpeakerRyan @jasoninthehouse @GOP @foxnews https://t.co/ScsIQ5dhur
— John Leguizamo (@JohnLeguizamo) January 28, 2017
this refugee/muslim ban is ridiculous/wrong/heartbreaking/scary/ backwards/hateful and extremely sad.
— CHARLI XCX (@charli_xcx) January 28, 2017
We don’t ban entire groups bc of a small group of extremists. Period. It is fundamentally prejudicial and fundamentally unAmerican.
— Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) January 28, 2017
I feel afraid angry & betrayed – is the world really done with loving difference? I’m not. Love Trumps Hate. We will prevail.
— Riz Ahmed (@rizmc) January 29, 2017
Obviously we must prioritize keeping Americans safe. But we mustn’t become un-American in the process.
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) January 29, 2017
I hope that the world knows that our president does not represent all Americans. Most of our country is horrified by this Immigration ban.
— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) January 29, 2017
Tonight we fight for American values at airports all across this country. I’m at Logan Airport now to say: #nomuslimban #NoBanNoWall
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 29, 2017
I am sad for so many people today and for the backtracking of the country I live in. hoping for a more loving and accepting future
— Lucy Hale (@lucyhale) January 29, 2017
1- This country had a calling card.
We all knew what it was.
It wasn’t Wall Street or Hollywood or the right to bear arms that brought…— ABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) January 29, 2017
2- that brought countless people, America’s future, to this country.
It was freedom.
Freedom was our calling card.
Trump wants to kill that— ABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) January 29, 2017
3- Trump’s gotta go.
— ABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) January 29, 2017
Petition: Prevent Donald Trump from making a State Visit to the United Kingdom. https://t.co/4nDsIWGXjy
— lily allen (@lilyallen) January 29, 2017
Statistics pic.twitter.com/aSpyFuabct
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) January 29, 2017
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) January 28, 2017
***NEW COLUMN***
Sorry, Mr President, but your #MuslimBan is senseless, cruel & wrong. https://t.co/97S2FsZecX pic.twitter.com/Umo8aNETuU— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 29, 2017
Call Speaker Ryan and tell him to stand up for American values now. 202.225.3031
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) January 29, 2017
Paul Ryan’s office address. Go show up
Janesville: 20 South Main ST, Suite 10, Janesville, WI 53545. 608.752.4050.— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) January 29, 2017
Hey @realDonaldTrump @POTUS, the difference between you & Hitler is that he had more charisma, better hair & he wasn’t a puppet.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) January 29, 2017
Exactly. #NoBanNoWall https://t.co/QQb6PF47Ku
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) January 29, 2017
So proud of everyone standing up to corruption, lies and hatred.
Every day it’s something new and people are rising to the occasion.— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 29, 2017
My wife came to this country on a refugee visa in the middle of the Cold War! My blood is boiling right now!
— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) January 29, 2017
We have never been a nation built on fear. Compassion that is the root ethic of America. Our differences are fundamental 2R sustainability.
— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) January 29, 2017
A photo posted by rondarousey (@rondarousey) on
I absolutely oppose this Muslim ban. But why does it effect only countries with no Trump properties? Follow the $.
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) January 29, 2017
Making our Voices heard ALL OVER THE #RESISTpic.twitter.com/vRTUtzV1Pf
— Cher (@cher) January 29, 2017
Love is the only answer. We must continue to stand together during these trying times pic.twitter.com/XhdsnsSH8S
— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) January 29, 2017
It feels like the right time to pay tribute to family members that came to America as refugees due to the pogroms leading up to WWII. pic.twitter.com/0q2Ogg15UN
— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) January 29, 2017
One of the many reasons I am opposed to the #MuslimBan is because my family immigrated to North America () after fleeing wars in Russia.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 29, 2017
Big thank you to Trump for handing ISIS ANOTHER recruiting tool. Nice job Birther Boy!
— Michael Keaton (@MichaelKeaton) January 30, 2017
My broken heart goes out to the innocent lives of Muslim refugees that are trying to escape terror and find safety for…
Posted by Jennifer Lawrence on Monday, January 30, 2017
“This is not the America I know…” just a reminder this am to teach acceptance and love to our kids for all races, all religions.. pic.twitter.com/32XohAGMv7
— Jenna Bush Hager (@JennaBushHager) January 31, 2017
Jan. 31, 7:10 p.m.: Updated to include statement from the DGA and SAG-AFTRA.
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