Actors, musicians and activists gathered last night for an event billed as a ‘public alternative’ to President Trump’s first State of the Union speech.
‘The People’s State of the Union’ was held Monday night, a day ahead of the president’s actual speech, at Town Hall – a New York City theatre created nearly 100 years ago for the women’s suffrage movement.
Hosting for the night was actor and outspoken liberal Mark Ruffalo, who said that the upside of Trump’s presidency is that it has helped unite the left.
‘The one silver lining in Trump is that we have created the mother of all movements,’ Ruffalo said.
But perhaps one of the biggest speeches came from Sex and the City actress Cynthia Nixon, who is rumored to be considering a run for governor of New York.
Cynthia Nixon spoke at the People’s State of the Union Monday night in New York, billed as an alternative to President Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday
Comedian Amy Schumer introduced Wanda Sykes, who kicked off the event Monday night
The event was held at Town Hall in Manhattan, a theatre created nearly 100 years ago for the women’s suffrage movement. Some 500,000 tuned into the livestream of the event
Nixon called 2017 a ‘dark year for America,’ and said ‘our democracy is under attack’ – going on to blame the Russians for ‘shifting the election’ to Trump.
She appeared hopeful that Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling would end in consequences for Trump.
‘First and foremost, we need to make sure that Robert Mueller is able to conduct a thorough and unimpeded investigation,’ she said.
She also addressed reports that Trump had tried to fire Mueller back in June.
If Trump does indeed get the outside investigator ousted, Nixon says it will be necessary to act.
Sykes and Schumer are seen posing back stage at the event, which was held at Town Hall in Manhattan
Andra Day and Common performed their son Stand Up for Something from the film Marshall
‘The one silver lining in Trump is that we have created the mother of all movements,’ actor Mark Ruffalo said
Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore started his speech with a to-do list for 2018, which included ‘a widespread massive removal of Republicans from the House and Senate, the likes of which this country has never seen’ in the 2018 mid-term elections.
‘We must make the firing of Robert Mueller a stark line in the sand, and if Trump crosses it we must take to the streets as never before!’ she said. ‘There is no cavalry coming. We are the cavalry!’
Others who appeared at the event included actors John Legiuzamo and Rosie Perez, director Lee Daniels, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and comedians Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer, and Whoopi Goldberg
Andra Day and Common performed their song ‘Stand Up for Something’ from the film Marshall, while Rufus Wainwright dedicated his rendition of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ to the parents of Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old woman killed protesting white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia earlier this year.
‘I believe her mom and dad are here,’ Wainwright said.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (left) and actor John Leguizamo (right) also spoke at the event
Musician Rufus Wainwright performed his version of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’
Actress Patricia Arquette (pictured) was among the many actors to speak at the event
Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore started his speech with a to-do list for 2018, which included ‘a widespread massive removal of Republicans from the House and Senate, the likes of which this country has never seen’ in the 2018 mid-term elections.
‘We must remove and replace the system and the culture that gave us Trump in the first place,’ he said. ‘We must also cleanse our American soul of our white male privilege.’
If Trump is impeached or resigns, he told the estimated 500,000 tuning in to the livestream not to worry about Vice President Mike Pence taking office.
‘First things first. Stop whining about Pence. Leave Pence to me, I’ll take care of him,’ he said.
The three-hour event was organized by the group We Stand United and cost $47 for a ticket. Other organizations such as Planned Parenthood co-sponsored the event.
President Trump’s first State of the Union speech will be held Tuesday night at 9pm.