Almost 80 years after her father helped establish a committee during the McCarthy era, Jane Fonda has revitalized the group, urging artists to “speak up before it’s too late.”
More than 600 figures from the entertainment industry, including Barbra Streisand, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Whoopi Goldberg, Spike Lee, Natalie Portman, Sean Penn, and Pedro Pascal, have backed Fonda’s initiative, which kicked off on Wednesday.
In a statement, the committee shared its history, noting its inception in the 1940s during “a dark time when the federal government suppressed and persecuted American citizens because of their political beliefs.” Henry Fonda was among the Hollywood actors who supported the original group.
“The McCarthy era ended when Americans from across the political spectrum united to defend constitutional principles against oppression,” the statement reflected.
However, in the context of the current Trump administration, Fonda emphasized that “those forces have returned, and it’s our responsibility to defend our constitutional rights.”
“The federal government is once again running a coordinated campaign to silence critics across various sectors, including government, media, judiciary, academia, and entertainment,” she stated.
This revival of the committee follows Jimmy Kimmel’s recent return to his late-night show after being taken off the air due to backlash regarding his comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This decision from ABC came after Brendan Kerr, the chairman of Trump’s Federal Communications Commission, suggested punishing Kimmel for his remarks.
In her letter rallying fellow entertainment professionals to join the committee, Fonda remarked, “I’m 87. I’ve witnessed war, oppression, protest, and rebellion. I’ve been both celebrated and labeled the enemy of the nation.”
“When I feel afraid, I turn to history,” wrote the “Crute” star, known for her protests against the Vietnam War in the 1970s.
“Thus far, the only effective response has been solidarity,” Fonda added. “We’re finding courage to defy this oppression together, lifting each other up and standing firm.” She has been vocal against President Trump and launched a climate-focused political action committee in 2022.
Notable stars who have joined the committee include Viola Davis, Anne Hathaway, Aaron Sorkin, Ben Stiller, Ethan Hawke, Kelly Washington, Billie Eilish, Julianne Moore, Rosie O’Donnell, Annette Bening, John Legend, Issa Rae, and Glenn and Adam Monáe. Rob Reiner and Anjelica Huston have also signed on.
“They are counting on our fear and silence,” Fonda conveyed to her peers.
“Today, we face a significant threat, yet we still have the freedom to make our voices heard,” she continued. “Let’s communicate before it’s too late.”
The committee noted on its website that its members plan to “stand together and unite decisively to defend free speech and expression against this assault.”
“This is not a partisan concern, which is why we invite all Americans who value the First Amendment—the foundation of our democracy—and all artists who see the U.S. as a symbol of freedom to join us,” the statement concluded.
“To those who exploit our work, jeopardize the livelihoods of everyday people, yield to government censorship, and resort to extreme threats: we will not forget you, and this isn’t the last you’ll hear from us,” they warned.
