Stars Wear Blue Ribbons on Oscars Red Carpet to Support ACLU

There has been plenty of chatter about just how political Oscars night will get this year. And if the red carpet is any indication, Hollywood is getting ready to raise its voice. Celebrities have been making their grand entrances while wearing blue ribbons as part of the American Civil Liberties Union’s “Stand with ACLU” initiative.

Oscar nominee Ruth Negga first displayed her ribbon with kudos from her stylist Kara Welch, who commented on Instagram, “The accessory I’m most proud of #ACLU #MegaNegga.” The cause may hit especially close to home for Negga, who is nominated for her role in the movie centered on the case of Loving v. Virginia, in which an interracial couple fights for basic liberties with the backing of the ACLU.

During Hollywood’s most visible time of the year, the ribbons are a display of solidarity from the industry. “We have been incredibly heartened by the outpouring of support for the ACLU from the entertainment community at large as we band together to protect and defend the rights and civil liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution for everyone in this country,” Michele Moore, ACLU chief communications officer, told the Hollywood Reporter.

As THR reports, the ACLU has doubled its membership in the months since the election of Donald Trump. Membership currently stands at over 1 million, with donations reaching $24 million the weekend after Trump issued his executive order banning immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

It’s likely that Oscar watchers will see the organization name-checked tonight. Oscar performer and potential EGOT winner Lin-Manuel Miranda and his date (his mom!) are also repping the ACLU along with their designer threads. Screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney and supermodel Karlie Kloss are wearing ribbons tonight. And any political choices from Kloss are especially notable in light of her six degrees of separation from the White House. (Kloss’s longtime boyfriend is Josh Kushner, public Clinton supporter and brother of Jared Kushner, a senior Trump White House adviser.) Kudos to Kloss — and every celebrity putting politics out there tonight — for not being afraid to make a statement.

Fans aren’t the only ones with their eyes peeled for ribbons. The ACLU is asking Oscars watchers to keep them updated on the red carpet: “Yes, blue ribbons represent ACLU. Let us know who you spot wearing them!” After all, they have more important work to do.

For anyone not on a red carpet tonight who’d still like to raise awareness for the ACLU, don’t worry, there’s a campaign for us, too. Writer Shani Silver created #AndTheOscarGoesACLU, a red carpet bingo game where every square is a monetary donation to the ACLU. Think $10 on squares like “a celebrity wears the color red.” Why not focus on the fashion and do some good all at once?

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