While the week leading up to the Oscars is normally filled with exclusive party after party, one Hollywood talent agency decided that 2017 called for something a little different.
According to Elle, United Talent Agency (UTA), skipped its usual pre-Oscars bash in favor of holding a political rally to protest the current political situation, namely Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
From Jodie Foster to @GavinNewsom the #UTA #UnitedVoicesRally in LA gathered crowds for inclusivityhttps://t.co/eL1CZ43BHx #UnitedVoices pic.twitter.com/RukKCza9wK
— Getty Images News (@GettyImagesNews) February 25, 2017
In a statement about its decision, UTA said, “United Talent Agency (UTA) has canceled its traditional Academy Awards party and will instead host a rally at its Los Angeles headquarters on the Friday afternoon of Oscar weekend. The gathering – ‘United Voices’ – aims to express the creative community’s growing concern with anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States and its potential chilling effect on the global exchange of ideas and freedom of expression.”
Michael J. Fox and Jodie Foster were among the star-studded lineup of speakers at the event, who are all clearly ready to use their celebrity for good.
“This is our time to resist,” Foster told the crowd during her speech. “It’s our time to show up and demand answers. It’s our time to tell our elected officials to do their job. We will not tolerate chaos, ineptitude, and warmongering.”
While Elle reports that there were a few heckling comments from Trump supporters at the rally, the event was a peaceful one.
In addition to hosting the rally (which let’s be honest, could otherwise be seen as a publicity stunt), UTA also donated $250,000 to the ACLU and the International Rescue Committee.