Artist, activist Ai Weiwei and director Barry Jenkins discuss recent abuses of free speech
113 views · Published 21 November 2018 · 3:34 · Indexed 14 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · Entertainment
(14 Nov 2018) ARTIST, ACTIVIST AI WEIWEI AND DIRECTOR BARRY JENKINS DISCUSS RECENT ABUSES OF FREE SPEECH At a recent gala held by literary group Pen America, activist Ai Weiwei, director Barry Jenkins and actress Lisa Edelstein gave their personal opinions about the significance of freedom of speech. In the three years since Donald Trump rocketed from candidate to president, the PEN American Center has criticized him as a bully, an autocrat, a user of hate speech and an enemy of free expression. It has published studies, organized petitions and established a Press Freedom Incentive Fund. Weiwei received the artistic expression award from Pen America. He called the recent abuse of freedom of speech in the U.S. "quite shameful." He believes in free speech, but not when it's used for hate. "I think if you look at it globally and including the U.S., it's quite shameful to see human rights and freedom of speech has been abused and continuously has been abused. So this is not a good sign and, but we always have to understand it takes every citizen to act up, to really defending (sic) those rights. Freedom of speech and human rights is never given by someone, but it has to take every individual to defend those rights." Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins was honored with the award for screenplay excellence. As a writer and filmmaker, he said freedom of speech was "hugely important." "I think the history of America has been one of evolution. I think the First Amendment, the exercising the right of the Girst Amendment has been one of the ways in which the people have been able to help the government evolve to a place where everyone's rights are protected. And so it's funny, I was just... I got off the plane and someone asked me about this cheerleader for the 49ers because this cheerleader took a knee last night and they said, 'What do you think? Do you think she's a hero?' I was like, 'Of course she's a hero. She's exercising her First Amendment right,' you know. Anytime we have the freedom to do that, anytime we have the courage to do that, I think we make the country, we make the (inaudible) a much better place." Actress Lisa Edelstein - best known for playing Dr. Lisa Cuddy on the Fox medical drama series "House" - was at the event to present an award to a friend of hers. She said we are going through a "terrible time in our country." "I have been really deeply saddened by everything that's happened. The, the slaughter at the synagogue last week and the hate crime in Louisville with the man who was trying to get into the church and instead killed some random black people. It's really... we've come to a new low and I'm just not sure all the country understands how close we are to creating a much worse situation for ourselves. So yes, I support our, the freedom of the press and the truth and we all need to work harder at speaking our minds and making sure that we fight for the rights." Pen America is a literary and human rights organization which includes thousands of authors and journalists. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/561188df9d2eb0c6c238a1c2fabc9816
