Sarah Paulson asks for ACLU donations in SAG speech

The People v. O.J. Simpson star Sarah Paulson used her acceptance speech at Sunday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards to shine a light on the American Civil Liberties Union.

“Any money you have to spare, please donate to the ACLU,” she said a day after President Trump signed an executive order barring people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. “It’s a vital organization that relies entirely on our support.”

Paulson's shout-out comes as the organization, which aims to protect individuals' rights and liberties guaranteed in the Constitution, has been receiving record-breaking donations over the weekend.

“It wasn’t a tough decision to come up with what I wanted to say,” the winner for best actress in a TV movie/miniseries said backstage. “I wanted to have an opportunity to mention the inclusivity that I think is required right now, in general … I don’t think silence is golden at this particular time. I think if you have a platform to say something in front of a large audience, you should take the opportunity.”

However, Paulson realizes that she might not have said the same thing about a year ago, before she went on an award-winning streak and got more comfortable accepting acting accolades from the podium.

“I have been getting up there more than I ever have, and it’s hard to keep your bearings,” she said. So no, winners shouldn't necessarily feel a responsibility to speak out about political and social issues, "they should do what they’re moved to do,” she said.