Oscar Winner Highlights Hong Kong Democracy Protests in Acceptance Speech

Lonnie Lynn, better known as the musician Common, cited Hong Kong's democracy demonstrations in his Oscar acceptance speech for Best Song, 'Glory', early this afternoon. The song, from Selma, a film that depicts the voting rights marches in America's south in the 1960's, had members of the audience in tears. However, it was Common's acceptance speech that really touched home as he described the symbolism of a bridge that America's civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. crossed during these marches. "The spirit of this bridge transcends race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and social status. The spirit of this bridge connects the kid from the southside of Chicago dreaming of a better life to those in France standing up for their freedom of expression to the people in Hong Kong protesting for democracy." Watch the full acceptance speech below.

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