Days after voting against the GOP’s despicable health care bill, U.S. congresswoman Maxine Waters arrived at the MTV Movie and TV Awards to present the prize for Best Fight Against the System.
Appearing alongside Black-ish actress Tracee Ellis Ross, Ross opened her speech by saying she was about to go off script. “Thank you for your work, your voice and how you use it,” she proclaimed, the California Democrat’s fight against Donald Trump and company clearly in mind. “Thank you for for being an example for all of us, especially in these times.”
Said Waters, “Artists, actors, singers and citizens have a unique opportunity — the ability to speak out and inspire change.”
This set the stage for introducing the five social justice-minded films and series nominated in the category: Luke Cage, Get Out, Hidden Figures, Loving and Mr. Robot.
“Each of these stories pushes back against the bullies and uses its platform to unite us all,” Waters said.
In the end, the award went to the 2016 film Hidden Figures.
Watch a clip of Waters’ impassioned speech below.