Oscar-winning actor and progressive activist Jane Fonda has taken a bold step by relaunching the Committee for the First Amendment, a historic free speech initiative originally established by her father, the legendary Hollywood icon Henry Fonda. This move comes in the wake of a perceived resurgence of “McCarthyism” reminiscent of the 1940s, a period marked by heightened governmental scrutiny and censorship aimed at critics across various sectors, including the government, media, judiciary, academia, and the entertainment industry.
In a statement released by the committee, Fonda emphasized, “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. We refuse to stand by and let that happen.” This powerful declaration has garnered support from nearly 600 prominent figures in the entertainment industry, including notable names such as Whoopi Goldberg, Ethan Hawke, Spike Lee, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Aaron Sorkin, Barbra Streisand, Ben Stiller, and Kerry Washington.
The original incarnation of the Committee for the First Amendment was founded by Henry Fonda in 1947 during the Second Red Scare, a tumultuous period characterized by intense fear surrounding communist infiltration and the influence of the Soviet Union in various sectors, including Washington and Hollywood. This era is closely associated with Sen. Joseph McCarthy, a notorious anti-communist crusader known for his aggressive tactics and incendiary rhetoric, which earned him a reputation as a demagogue. Henry Fonda’s initiative was backed by an array of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Lucille Ball, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Judy Garland.
Last month, tensions in Hollywood boiled over when ABC briefly suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show following criticism from the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, who took issue with Kimmel’s comments regarding the accused assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This incident sparked an outcry from more than 400 celebrities who signed an open letter through the American Civil Liberties Union, condemning Kimmel’s suspension as a “dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.” Fortunately, Kimmel has since returned to ABC’s airwaves, but the incident has left lingering concerns about free speech in the entertainment industry.
In her statement on Wednesday, Jane Fonda reflected on her extensive experiences, saying, “I’m 87 years old. I’ve seen war, repression, protest, and backlash. I’ve been celebrated, and I’ve been branded an enemy of the state. But I can tell you this: this is the most frightening moment of my life.” Fonda has consistently championed progressive causes, including environmentalism, the Civil Rights Movement, the women’s liberation movement, and LGBTQ rights. She has also been vocal in her opposition to the Vietnam War and the Iraq War.
“They’re betting on our fear and our silence,” Fonda stated, deliberately avoiding naming specific political figures. “But our industry — and artists around the world — have a long history of refusing to be silenced, even in the darkest times.” This statement underscores her commitment to advocating for free speech and the vital role artists play in resisting oppression.
The White House has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the relaunch of the Committee for the First Amendment and the issues surrounding free speech in America today.
