More than 2,000 miles away from the glitz and glamour of the Oscars, a determined group of Hollywood heavyweights used the collective weight of their influence to raise more than $140,000 for residents of Flint, Michigan.
Folks are standing up for Flint! Since last night's #JusticeForFlint show, 3635 activists have raised their voices w/ $145k toward recovery!
The stars, brought together by directors Ava DuVernay and Ryan Coogler, were among a group of African-American artists who turned out in Flint to bring attention, and desperately needed resources, to residents who'd been poisoned by their city's lead crisis for more than a year. They held a massive, livestreamed concert called Justice for Flint.
Read more: 22 Powerful Photos Show the Devastating Reality of Flint's Water Crisis
Here are some of the best moments from the night that you may have missed.
1. Stevie Wonder performed.
2. So did Janelle Monáe:
It's about to go down -@janellemonae warming up on stage getting ready for #justiceforflint pic.twitter.com/reBn36TmPW
@JanelleMonae is hitting the stage now! #JusticeForFlint pic.twitter.com/QpbFLMuzAz
3. Comedian Hannibal Buress performed, too:
On #JusticeForFlint: "I guess this is how they get people to move to Detroit" @hannibalburess pic.twitter.com/bOnMNWUJZZ
4. Actor Jussie Smollett made a surprise appearance.
5. Grammy-nominated singer Ledisi performed.
@ledisi sings Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" and brings his powerful lyrics to LIFE. #JusticeForFlint pic.twitter.com/1GrmqXdI2q
6. Vic Mensa debuted a new song.
Watch: @VicMensa Debuts "16 Shots," inspired by #LaquanMcDonald, at #JusticeForFlint Event http://bit.ly/1oJjOIr pic.twitter.com/H9dJ3fIREL
LIVE on #Periscope: Vic Mensa, "16 Shots" #JusticeForFlint" https://www.periscope.tv/w/aaOgKTk2NDQwNHwxcm1HUGpvcWFRbXhOzkKu4GkdtRbtC9kgM8B9RuCMaIbSOe0YCndr8F6vrEY= ...
7. Jazmine Sullivan brought down the house.
@jsullivanmusic killed it. http://Revolt.tv #JusticeForFlint pic.twitter.com/XBuzY48rVK
8. Director Ryan Coogler did lots of work behind-the-scenes...
Ryan Coogler and @UnitedBlackout are doing a world of good right now for #JusticeForFlint. http://bit.ly/1TDlaAc pic.twitter.com/KVLKAuEp5N
9. ...so did outspoken actor Jesse Williams.
Brothers gonna work it out. Ryan Coogler and Jesse Williams backstage at #JusticeForFlint pic.twitter.com/wl9EMwdgxr
10. Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha got a hero's welcome.
It was a chance dinner in August that led pediatrician Mona Hanna-Attisha to begin testing lead levels in the blood of kids in Flint. Since then, she's been credited with helping uncover the heartbreaking consequences of the devastating crisis, namely the fact that lead poisoning levels for the city's children had doubled since officials decided to switch its water source.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha on the stage at the #JusticeForFlint #FlintWaterCrisis pic.twitter.com/ksghbmmIUt
She took the stage on Sunday night to tell the community — and, thanks to the livestream, the world — what's at stake. "This is a human issue," she told the crowd. "This is not a political issue."
"I can't imagine spending Oscar night anywhere else but here." - Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha #JusticeForFlint
11. The people of Flint took center stage — and looked toward the future.
While the stars were the biggest attractions, the night really belonged to the people of Flint. At one point, a group of young poets performed.
Awesome job Flint Youth Poets!!! #JusticeForFlint pic.twitter.com/Edo4vDVDLS
YES! Streaming #justiceforflint Flint Youth Poets are on point 2night saying exactly what the world needs to hear. pic.twitter.com/CKugMEH85S
"Representing the Belly of the Beast" Flint Youth Poets #SLAYIN it with the TRUTH #JusticeForFlint @FlintRising pic.twitter.com/g3I0EMnQf6
The 88th Academy Awards were a night to celebrate for many. #JusticeForFlint was a night to remember.
h/t Mashable
