Tom Hanks, Tina Fey set for Facebook telethon to raise funds for the ACLU

March 21 (UPI) -- Tom Hanks, Padma Lakshmi, Uzo Aduba, Josh Charles, Amy Poehler and the former stars of the sitcom 30 Rock plan to take part in a telethon benefiting the American Civil Liberties Union.

Stand for Rights: A Benefit for the ACLU is to stream via Facebook Live on March 31. Also expected to appear on the program are Tituss Burgess, Jon Hamm, Zosia Mamet and Ike Barinholtz.

"Our work in the courts is essential right now to hold off the worst of the abuses," ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero said in a statement Tuesday. "But it is also the collective will and tireless actions of 'we the people' that serve as a bulwark against unconstitutional and wrong-headed policies and executive orders. By supporting our work through this telethon, we can fight even harder to defend the rights guaranteed by our Constitution."

Next week's fundraiser is being executive produced by Friend of a Friend Productions in collaboration with The Huffington Post, Funny or Die and Maggie Vision, a press release said. It will broadcast live from New York City via the Facebook pages of Stand for Rights 2017, Funny or Die and The Huffington Post.