Patricia Arquette demands equal pay for women in Oscar acceptance speech

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Monday, February 23, 2015
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Patricia Arquette took time during her Oscar acceptance speech to demand equal pay for women.

After winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, Patricia Arquette took time during her acceptance speech to demand equality for women.

"To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else's rights," Arquette said. "It's our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America."

While political statements are usually admonished during the Oscars, Arquette's speech went over, and overwhelmingly so. Jennifer Lopez, Shirley McClaine, and co-star Ethan Hawk were all seen applauding in support.

Meryl Streep, who lost the Oscar to Arquette, rose from her seat, cheering on the actresses' sentiments.