Jessica Alba led a tribute to victims of gun violence during the Teen Choice Awards Sunday evening in Los Angeles as she shared the stage with family members of victims from Orlando's Pulse nightclub massacre, Sandy Hook Elementary, and the son of Alton Sterling.
She introduced them along with the cities that represent the countless tragedies:
Here with me tonight are a group of brave teenagers who share an unlikely bond that's hard to comprehend. They are the brothers, sisters, daughters and family members of recent victims of gun violence: I'm talking about Aurora, Baton Rogue, Dallas, Minneapolis, Orlando, San Bernardino, Newtown.
Alba was overwhelmed by the emotional weight of standing with so many relatives of so many people seriously affected by the issue. At one point she apologized for getting choked up before continuing.
She asked the crowd to join them in a call for peace:
Tonight we stand together with these teens, united in our call for peace and an end to this violence. Now, more than ever, we need to stop, feel and ask what's going on.
She then asked that the crowd raise their phones in support, and to share images of their vigil with the hashtag #StopTheViolence:
This was a serious and important gesture of solidarity. And it happened at the Teen Choice Awards, which is better known as a venue for teens screaming at their teen idols on the red carpet.