Recent remarks from actress and activist Charlize Theron at the fifth annual Block Party for her Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project on Saturday night (June 28, 2025) have ignited a wave of concern regarding the significant cuts being made to foreign aid.
Speaking passionately at a recent event, Theron highlighted the devastating impact these cuts are already having, particularly in her home country of South Africa. She expressed deep worry that vital HIV and AIDS programs have been brought to a standstill, leading to an alarming rise in unnecessary suffering and preventable deaths.
She thanked everyone for “taking the time to be a part of this, especially when the world feels like it’s burning because it is. Here in Los Angeles, in the U.S. and across the globe, we’re moving backwards fast. Immigration policy has destroyed the lives of families, not criminals; women’s rights are becoming less and less every day; queer and trans lives are increasingly being erased; and gender-based violence is on the rise. This isn’t just policy, it’s personal.” As the crowd clapped, she added, “Yeah, fuck them.”
Theron called out, “foreign aid cuts [that] have brought HIV and AIDS programs in my home country of South Africa to an absolute standstill. All of this is not just detrimental, it’s dangerous; people will lose their lives — many have already, unfortunately, and at a frightening rate. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to see this kind of unnecessary suffering.”
These sentiments echo the anxieties of numerous advocates and human rights organizations who have long cautioned against the harsh realities faced by individuals and families navigating complex immigration systems. The potential for separation, displacement, and the profound emotional toll on those affected are serious issues that demand careful consideration and a compassionate approach.
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