In his stead, Iranian-American astronaut Anousheh Ansari read a powerful statement from the director extolling acceptance and education and denouncing laws that prohibit emigration and tolerance. "My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and the other six countries that have been disrespected by the inhuman law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S. dividing the world into the 'us' and 'our enemies' category creates fear,” she read.