Actress Sally Field Reflects on the First Amendment

During a recent TV appearance, actress Sally Field spoke highly of the First Amendment and the critical role of free speech amid today’s deeply divided political landscape.

“When I was in seventh grade, I was assigned something I’ll always remember: ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the rights of free speech and the press or peaceably assemble,'” she shared on CBS’s “60 Minutes.”

The two-time Academy Award winner expressed, on a personal note, what this constitutional freedom signifies for her. “This is the First Amendment. Back then, I didn’t grasp its significance, or how crucial it really was. And now, nearly 67 years later, my understanding has deepened,” Field reflected.

Many in Hollywood often voice their displeasure regarding U.S. policies and immigration enforcement, contrasting with Field’s stance. Just recently, the entertainment community reacted to the tragic January 2026 shooting death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by federal immigration agents during a raid in Minneapolis. This incident stirred national anger and reignited the immigration debate.

Celebrities at the Golden Globe Awards, including Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, Natasha Lyonne, and Jean Smart, donned protest pins reading “Be Good” and “ICE Out,” paying homage to Good and voicing their opposition to the agency.

Field stressed her respect for every citizen’s right to express their views, including those of activists, indicating that the First Amendment is there specifically to uphold such actions. “I have the right to speak, sign petitions, and participate in protests peacefully, without fear of backlash,” she affirmed. “I’ve come to realize that this delicate concept called democracy requires safeguarding. The brilliance of our Constitution starts with ‘We the People.’ I hold faith in the resilience of our Constitution and in the goodness of our people.”

Field is celebrated for a vibrant and impactful career spanning six decades, having won Academy Awards for Best Actress in Norma Rae (1979) and A Place in the Heart (1984). Her extensive film repertoire also includes iconic works like Forrest Gump, Mrs. Doubtfire, and an Oscar-nominated role in Spielberg’s Lincoln.