Hundreds of Celebrities Relaunch McCarthy-Era Activist Group

The Epic Return of the Free Speech Fight!

Jane Fonda has dusted off a chapter from her family’s history, and frankly, the timing couldn’t be more on-the-nose.

The Hollywood legend is relaunching the Committee for the First Amendment, an activist group with roots stretching all the way back to the McCarthy era.

The original Committee was founded by her father, Henry Fonda, in 1947 to fight back against the ugly congressional investigations and blacklisting that plagued writers and directors accused of having “Communist ties.”

Now, more than 75 years later, Fonda and her colleagues see history repeating itself, describing the current political climate, particularly under the Trump administration, as presenting “renewed threats to free speech in the United States.”

Because, apparently, nothing screams “progress” like fighting the same censorship battles your parents did.

Hollywood’s Superhero Coalition

Forget the Avengers. The real blockbuster team-up is happening off-screen, and the cast list reads like the Oscars, the Grammys, and the Emmys got together for a group therapy session.

Barbra Streisand, Kerry Washington, Natalie Portman, Aaron Sorkin, Viola Davis, Pedro Pascal, Billie Eilish, John Legend, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Penn, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ethan Hawke, Judd Apatow, Fran Drescher, Florence Pugh, Michael Keaton, Patrick Stewart, Nicolas Cage, Janelle Monáe… the list goes on, and on, and on.

Over 550 artists, writers, and musicians have signed on, apparently united by the radical notion that the First Amendment is not just a suggestion.

If you’re wondering what could possibly unite this many egos, the answer is simple: the Trump administration’s latest attempt to turn the United States into a live-action reboot of the McCarthy era.

“Oppressive Forces Have Resurfaced”

In their first public statement, the relaunched committee didn’t exactly mince words—or avoid a dramatic comparison. They explicitly drew a straight line between the current atmosphere and the chilling climate of the McCarthy era, warning that “those oppressive forces have resurfaced.”

“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.”

And just in case anyone thought this was just another liberal-elite grievance, the group made a point to underscore the nonpartisan nature of free speech, vowing to “defend free speech and expression from this assault,” whether the dissent originates from liberal or conservative quarters.

Of course, their revival wasn’t entirely unprovoked. They cited recent high-profile events, like the temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show following comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

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Hollywood Fights Back (Again)

So here we are, with Jane Fonda and her all-star coalition channeling the spirit of 1947, only this time with social media clout. Their message is as urgent as ever: “We refuse to stand by” and let fascism defeat free speech.

The stakes are high, the cast is dazzling, and the plot, unfortunately, is all too familiar.

If you’re tired of watching history repeat itself, if you think the First Amendment is worth more than a punchline, and if you believe that artists, writers, and musicians shouldn’t have to choose between their careers and their conscience, then maybe it’s time to join the fight. Or at least, to pay attention.

As Jane Fonda and her friends are reminding us, the battle for free speech is far from over—and this time, the cameras are rolling.