The March for Our Lives protests across the world seeped into the 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards on Saturday.
The rallies for gun control made for political moments at the awards show in Los Angeles, starting with John Cena‘s opening monologue.
“I know it’s going to be an amazing night, but kids everywhere have already made it an amazing day. So I just want to take a moment to celebrate what kids across the nation accomplished today,” Cena said, as photos and videos from marches across the country played on the set behind him.
“From Washington D.C., Florida, even here in Los Angeles, all over the country, all over the world, kids made their voices heard with the incredible March for Our Lives, and it all happened because you want to make the world a better place,” he said.
“You see, change is only possible when we all work together, and it’s so inspiring to see kids take charge,” Cena continued. “That is the true spirit of Nickelodeon and of course, the Kids Choice Awards. So congratulations, let’s hear it loud and proud for all the kids who made a difference today.”
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Cena wasn’t the only star to pay tribute to the March for Our Lives protests. The show’s first winner, Millie Bobby Brown, made a big statement in a custom shirt with the names of the 17 victims of the Parkland shooting on Feb. 14, and dedicating her win to “the angels among us.”
From there, nearly every star honored March for Our Lives, from Camila Cabello and Liza Koshy to Zendaya.
“I just want to say everyone that I marched beside this morning and everybody out there, thank you for what youre doing, and continue to know that your voice is a real thing, and it’s a powerful thing, and it’s a beautiful thing, and you should never let anyone tell you that your age should limit you from actually feeling and doing what you need to do in the world.”
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Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez also praised the rally while speaking with ET’s Keltie Knight on the Kids’ Choice Awards red carpet.
“It’s important because I feel like there are so many kids and teens who want to make a change and they’re adamant about making that happen,” she said. “They don’t want to just sit and wait anymore and they’re tired of waiting and they want that change to happen now so I’m so proud of these kids and teens and adults who are speaking up and who want that change.”
This Is Us‘ young Kate, Hannah Zeile, meanwhile, told ET that she was with those marching “in spirit.”
“My heart is there. It’s really an important thing, and I’m so glad that we’re all coming together for it. It’s so sad that it’s under these circumstances, but it’s really cool to see people unite and people, like Emma Gonzalez just taking a stand and being a voice for people,” she shared. “I’m so proud to be part of that generation.”
See more on how stars participated in March for Our Live demonstrations in the video below.
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