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The Teen Choice Awards made a bold statement last night with a rousing tribute to the victims of gun violence during the annual broadcast.

Actress Jessica Alba and singer Ne-Yo shared the stage with teenagers who were affected by the Sandy Hook and San Bernardino mass shootings, as well as the Pulse nightclub shooting and police shooting of Alton Sterling.

Alton’s son, Cameron Sterling, who broke our collective hearts with his emotional reaction to his mom’s speech at a press conference in the wake of his father’s death, appeared on stage with the group.

“Weeks ago, Cameron’s world was turned upside down when he learned his father, Alton Sterling, was killed while selling CD’s outside a store in Baton Rouge,” the Sin City star said. “Tonight, we stand together with these teens … Now, more than ever, we need to stop, heal, and ask, ‘What’s going on?'”

Jessica made a call to action: “Take a picture of all of these courageous teens standing here asking for the violence to stop. Then post with the hashtag, #StopTheViolence.”

#StopTheViolence immediately began trending on Twitter.

The actress’ touching speech was the introduction the in memoriam section of the broadcast. Photos of those lost this year to gun violence flashed across the screen while Marvin Gaye‘s “What’s Going On” played throughout The Forum in L.A.

The bold statement comes on the heels of the shooting deaths of reality TV star Toya Wright‘s brothers Josh and Rudy Johnson.

PHOTO CREDIT: Twitter, Instagram, Getty

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RED CARPET RUNDOWN: The 2016 Teen Choice Awards
Teen Choice Awards 2016 - Arrivals
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