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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Year's Top 10 Moments of Celeb Activism

Oprah, Paris, Will.i.am make a difference

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(Newser) – It’s been a big year for celebrity activism—so big that it deserves its own year-end top 10 list, Tina Daunt writes in the Los Angeles Times. Some famous faces that made a difference in 2008:

  • Oprah Winfrey fought hard for Barack Obama, including hosting a traffic-stopping garden party.
  • Norman Lear targeted young people in an online, nonpartisan get-out-the-vote effort.
  • Paris Hilton became a YouTube phenomenon—for politics.

  • George Clooney hosted an “exclusive and discreet” dinner for Obama in Switzerland. And alongside Don Cheadle, he made sure Darfur’s genocide stayed in the spotlight.
  • Former Motown boss Clarence Avant advised Hillary Clinton while his daughter raised cash for Barack.
  • Celebs including Matt Damon and Sarah Silverman worked on bubbies for Obama.
  • Ron Burkle hosted countless swanky parties backing Democrats.
  • Will.i.am took Obama viral with his “Yes We Can” video.
  • But Tinseltown arrived too late to defeat California’s Proposition 8.

This Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007 file photo shows President-elect Barack Obama, center, his wife Michelle, right, and Oprah Winfrey as they wave to the crowd at a rally in Manchester, N.H.
This Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007 file photo shows President-elect Barack Obama, center, his wife Michelle, right, and Oprah Winfrey as they wave to the crowd at a rally in Manchester, N.H.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, FILE)
George Clooney, left delivers a speech, as Don Cheadle listens after they received a peace award at a summit of Nobel Peace Prize winners, during a ceremony in Rome, Thursday Dec. 13, 2007.
George Clooney, left delivers a speech, as Don Cheadle listens after they received a peace award at a summit of Nobel Peace Prize winners, during a ceremony in Rome, Thursday Dec. 13, 2007.   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Paris Hilton's presidential campaign ad.   (kassidymorrow)
Sarah Silverman calls on Jews to get their grandparents to vote Obama. Warning: explicit language.   (thegreatschlep)
Will.i.am's "Yes We Can" video.   (emmys)

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infidel
Dec 29, 08 11:54 AM CST
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Nagual
Dec 29, 08 12:54 PM CST
You bitter.. bitter man.
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infidel
Dec 29, 08 1:50 PM CST
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inky
Dec 29, 08 3:01 PM CST
What, no Joe The Plumber? Oh, that's right. His celebrity lasted about as long as a fruit fly. Reply
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Oprah took a hit for Obama support
Los Angeles Times

Celebs slammed China over Darfur ties
AFP


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Barack Obama • Don Cheadle • Ron Burkle • Paris Hilton • Oprah Winfrey • Matt Damon • political activism • activist • Sarah Silverman • George Clooney • Will.i.am • Proposition 8 • Norman Lear • Best of 2008

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