In the wake of many free speech violations committed by the U.S. government, a group of celebrities banded together to revive the Committee for the First Amendment last week. Led by Jane Fonda, the collective aims to “defend free expression against government repression, industry complicity, and intimidation,” according to its website. While it is upsetting that the committee is in demand once again, its comeback is necessary as the U.S. re-enters an era of verbal oppression.
The original committee was formed as a response to the McCarthyism epidemic, a wave of red-scare accusations based on speculation. The group opposed the wrongful persecution of democracy. Previous members included Fonda’s father, Henry Fonda, as well as Lucille Ball, Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra among others, who took a stand against the blacklisting of Hollywood actors suspected of communist associations.
The U.S. is again attacking free speech, regressing to the point that Hollywood must stand up and guard national freedoms. The censorship of any media and education going against President Donald Trump’s politics has clearly violated Americans’ First Amendment rights. For example, Jimmy Kimmel was temporarily taken off the air for his comments on slain political commentator Charlie Kirk and right-wingers. Harvard’s federal funding was withheld in an attempt to make the institution change its procedures to align with Republican ideologies. Educators, like Melissa McCoul, have been fired for including gender-inclusive teachings in their classes. Trump’s administration is priming the country to be perfectly aligned with MAGA ideologies, silencing opposition in a dictator-like fashion.
The state should not have the power to suppress free speech, but this oppression will continue if nothing is done to stop it. The responsibility should fall on politicians, but celebrities have stepped up instead to use their platforms for good. Fonda wrote in her plea to fellow Hollywood members to join the group, “This is the most frightening moment of my life.” The 87-year-old emphasized the importance of solidarity, and her letter led over 550 celebrities to join the cause. Even the drama-filled Hollywood community was able to band together against the larger threat: tyranny.
The committee will stand up for its beliefs in a loud, non-violent way. Civil disobedience will pave the way for free speech, the same way it did in the 1940s. The committee’s need for revival reflects the beginning of a dark era in the U.S., but it stands as a beacon of hope for constitutional rights. People must stand united during this time. Influence should be taken from the committee, as everyone in support of American liberties should be “loud and purposeful,” as the committee’s website says.
