Jane Fonda has brought back an activist group from the Cold War period, originally supported by her father and fellow Oscar winner Henry Fonda.
Recently, free speech has become a significant issue in America, especially after ABC temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel for comments he made about Donald Trump and Charlie Kirk on his show.
Many celebrities criticized the network’s action, and figures like Stephen Colbert raised concerns about censorship.
Although Kimmel has been reinstated, concerns about free speech in America continue to be a prominent topic.
In light of this, Grace and Frankie actress Jane Fonda has initiated a modern version of the Committee for the First Amendment.
This group was initially established in 1947 in response to Congressional inquiries targeting screenwriters and directors for alleged Communist associations.
The committee’s mission statement notes, “The federal government is once again engaged in a coordinated campaign to silence critics in the government, the media, the judiciary, academia, and the entertainment industry,” as reported by PA.
“We refuse to stand by and let that happen. Free speech and free expression are the inalienable rights of every American of all backgrounds and political beliefs – no matter how liberal or conservative you may be.”
“The ability to criticize, question, protest, and even mock those in power is foundational to what America has always aspired to be.”
The new organization’s mission statement has been signed by individuals such as Florence Pugh, Sean Penn, Billie Eilish, Pedro Pascal, and many others.
Additionally, Fonda, 87, remarked that we are currently experiencing ‘a very chilling time’.
“This is a very chilling time. You know, we’ve faced attempts at autocracy before in the ’20s and ’30s, and you’ve cited the example of McCarthyism,” she explained on CNN.
Fonda continued: “There was Jim Crow. This is different, and we should all be very scared, and the key is solidarity.”
The White House has commented on the committee’s revival and Fonda’s remarks.
A White House representative stated to MSNBC, “Hanoi Jane is free to share whatever bad opinions she wants.”
“As someone who actually knows what it’s like to be censored, President Trump is a strong supporter of free speech and Democrat allegations to the contrary are so false, they’re laughable.”
Fonda now joins the ranks of Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey, who are also not favored by Trump. The president claims that these celebrities were paid by the Democrats to support Kamala Harris during her 2024 campaign, an allegation that the political party has denied.