Jane Fonda Relaunches 'Committee for the First Amendment’

In today's world, people are understandably worried about their First Amendment rights. Fonda and others are endeavouring to use their power and influence to fight to protect free speech.

Fonda at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival | Wikimedia Commons

Nearly eight decades after it was first established, Jane Fonda has relaunched the ‘Committee for the First Amendment’ in order to help protect the right to free speech. It was originally created in 1947 by Hollywood legends like her father during the McCarthy Era in an effort to defend free speech. Now, Jane Fonda is revitalising the organization and over 500 Hollywood luminaries have already joined her in support.

While specific government leaders were not mentioned, a committee spokesperson said Fonda was inspired to relaunch the initiative due to “the onslaught of attacks on free speech from the current administration” in order to put on a “united front against government censorship, intimidation, and fear.”

As the committee said in its announcement: “Free speech and free expression are the inalienable rights of every American of all backgrounds and political beliefs - no matter how liberal or conservative you may be,” the committee said in their statement. “The ability to criticize, question, protest, and even mock those in power is foundational to what America has always aspired to be.”

In light of recent events, like Jimmy Kimmel being taken off air and President Trump saying networks were “not allowed” to “hit Trump,” and promising to punish his enemies, people are understandably worried about their First Amendment rights. Kimmel’s show has since returned to the airwaves, but the situation triggered a multi-day news cycle about free speech and corporate capitulation to political pressure, says CNN.