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SAG Awards 2020: Robert De Niro addresses 'dire' political situation while accepting Lifetime Achievement Award

De Niro, who was last seen in 'The Irishman' accepted the award and spoke about gun control and the political situation

Robert De Niro accepted the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award at the 26th annual SAG Awards and got political in his acceptance speech. 

Leonardo Di Caprio who worked with De Niro presented the award to the actor talking about the roles he played over the past decades.

Di Caprio said, "His characters have echoed through our culture." He added that he has been influenced by De Niro because of his "fearless pursuit of authenticity." 

De Niro who was last seen in 'The Irishman' took the stage and accepted the award. "As actors, we don't take victory laps, we're too worried about what our next job will be. We as actors don't do it all alone, we can't," he began.

"We depend on each other for collaboration, both on-screen and off," said. He also thanked the SAG AFTRA.

"I have been a member of this union for over 50 years. It's an honor to receive this award from SAG-AFTRA." He went on to talk about a list of issues political leaders are focused on and about gun control.

"Political leaders who support unions are more likely to support the Affordable Care Act, equitable taxes, humane immigration regulations, a safe environment, a diverse citizenry, reproductive rights, sensible gun control and fair wages and benefits. We owe them our support and we owe them our vote," the actor shared.

He added, "I can imagine some of you are saying, 'Alright, let’s not get into the politics'. But we’re in such a dire situation and it's so deeply concerning to me and so many others, I have to say something."

"There's right and there's wrong, and there's common sense and there's abuse of power. And as a citizen, I have as much right as anybody — an actor, an athlete, a musician — anybody else to voice my opinion. And if I have a bigger voice because of my situation, I’m gonna use it whenever I see blatant abuse of power."

Taking to Twitter after De Niro's speech, fans called it epic and said that is what everyone needed to hear. "Thank you Robert De Niro, for saying what needs to be said. #SAGAwards," a fan said. Another said, "You invite Robert De Niro to give a speech and this is what you’re going to get." 

"Yes!!!!!! I agree with everything he says!!!! He has every right to speak his mind!!! Go Robert De Niro!!!!! #SAGAwards," a fan wrote.

Another shared, "If more politicians, plumbers, actors, nurses, musicians, electricians, athletes, administrators, & avg US citizens of all kinds spoke up forcefully about the current insanity in the White House as much as Robert De Niro did, we wouldn't be in the mess we are in. #SAGAwards." 

"Thank you to the genius that is Robert De Niro! Your acceptance speech to your #SAGAwards Lifetime Achievement Award was perfection — just like the rest of your work," wrote a fan.