Statement on Hamilton's Message to Vice President-elect Mike Pence

November 19, 2016 (New York, NY) – Hispanic Federation has issued the following statement in response to Brandon Victor Dixon’s message to Vice President-elect Mike Pence following last night’s performance of Hamilton.

“Last night, Vice President-elect Mike Pence attended a performance of the Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton. At the conclusion of the performance, Brandon Victor Dixon, the actor who portrays Aaron Burr, delivered a stirring message on the power of America’s diversity and calling on Mr. Pence and President-elect Donald Trump to work on “behalf of all of us.” We congratulate Mr. Dixon and the entire company of Hamilton for taking a courageous, principled and public stand in favor of plurality and inclusiveness.

Hispanic Federation’s connections to Hamilton and to its creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, are deep and strong. Hamilton’s racially and ethnically diverse cast and their critical retelling of a uniquely American story of immigrant ingenuity, sacrifice and success has resonated with us and with millions of Americans because it is, in so many ways, our story.

We can only hope that Vice President-elect Pence was inspired by the musical’s message, and by Mr. Dixon’s speech, to rethink the tenor and proposals of the incoming Trump administration on matters of immigration, racial justice, and equality.”

Brandon Victor Dixon's full statement:

You know, we have a guest in the audience this evening. Vice President-elect Pence, I see you walking out but I hope you hear just a few more moments. There's nothing to boo, ladies and gentlemen. There's nothing to boo. We're all here sharing a story of love. We have a message for you sir, we hope that you will hear us out.

And I encourage everybody to pull out your phones and tweet and post because this message needs to be spread far and wide.

Vice President-elect Pence, we welcome you and we truly thank you for joining us here at Hamilton: An American Musical. We really do.

We, sir, are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us: our planet, our children, our parents or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir. But we truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us. All of us.

Thank you truly for seeing this show, this wonderful American story told by a diverse group of men, women of different colors, creeds and orientations.