Emmys 2017: Why did guests wear blue ribbons to the awards ceremony?

They were everywhere on stage and on the red carpet

Issa Rae and Riz Ahmed at the 2017 Emmys (Getty)

No matter how extravagant the dress or tuxedo, blue ribbons popped on the straps and lapels of guests and nominees at the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards tonight, making it onto the stage on multiple occasions.

Riz Ahmed, Ann Dowd and Kumail Nanjiani were among those sporting the ribbon, but what do they represent?

The accessory is worn to show support for the American Civil Liberties Union and its "Stand With the ACLU" initiative. The non-partisan, non-profit organisation defends and protects individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the U.S.

Its membership has doubled since Donald Trump was elected president.

The blue ribbons were also everywhere at the Oscars, leading ACLU chief communications officer Michael Moore to tell The Hollywood Reporter: "We have been incredibly heartened by the outpouring of support for the ACLU from the entertainment community at large as we band together to protect and defend the rights and civil liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution for everyone in this country."