Introduction to the Committee for the First Amendment
The actress and activist Jane Fonda, who has been awarded an Oscar and a BAFTA, is leading a committee for the first change as constitutional rights, which grants the freedom of speech and the press, are being attacked in the United States. This committee is based on its forerunner from almost 80 years ago when Hollywood stars of the day protested against communist hearings.
The Committee’s Purpose
The committee has published an explanation that has been signed by more than 550 figures from the entertainment industry, including Aaron Sorkin, Helen Mirren, Pedro Pascal, Ben Stiller, Spike Lee, Alex Gibney, Barbra Streisand, JJ Abrams, Lisa Joy, Ali Abassi, and Whoopi Goldberg. The explanation decrypts the "coordinated campaign" of the US federal government to silence critics in the government, the media, the justice system, the academy, and the entertainment industry.
The Current State of Affairs
Since Donald Trump became president for the second time, he has tried to silence critics in the media, education, entertainment, science, and law. Most recently, he targeted the ABC Talk Show presenter Jimmy Kimmel, whose show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" was temporarily suspended after comments were made about the conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s murder.
Historical Context
The committee’s explanation refers to the McCarthy era, named after Senator Joseph McCarthy, who became known in the early 1950s as the face of the US government’s anti-communist witch hunt. The McCarthy era ended when Americans finally came together from the entire political spectrum and campaigned for the principles in the constitution against the repression forces. These forces have returned, and it is the committee’s turn to compile and defend their constitutional rights.
The Committee’s Statement
In a letter, the committee asks people to come together and sign the explanation, stating that "the only thing that has ever worked – again and again – is solidarity: bond together, find courage in numbers, and stand up to each other." The committee’s explanation appears below, and it has been signed by hundreds of figures from the entertainment industry.
The Full Explanation
Today, the committee relaunches the committee for the first change. This committee was first created during the McCarthy era, a dark time in which the federal government suppressed and persecuted American citizens because of their political convictions. The McCarthy era ended when Americans finally came together from the political spectrum and campaigned for the principles in the constitution against the repression forces. These forces have returned, and it is the committee’s turn to hold themselves together to defend their constitutional rights.
The federal government is again involved in a coordinated campaign to silence critics in the government, the media, the judiciary, the academy, and the entertainment industry. The committee refuses to be silent and let it happen. Freedom of speech and free expression are the inalienable rights of all Americans of all backgrounds and political beliefs – no matter how liberal or conservative they may be. The ability to criticize, question, protest, and even mock is fundamental to what America has always sought.
Conclusion
The committee understands that this is a terrifying and confusing moment for many people. They realize that they only represent a group of many who are currently threatened. In classrooms, libraries, factories, companies, and workplaces of all kinds, Americans of all areas of life are also facing intimidation and censorship – and the committee stands with them. They know that there is strength in numbers, in solidarity, and in strength. They will be together – fully united – to defend freedom of speech and expression from this attack. This is not a partisan problem, and the committee is calling for every American who is concerned with the first amendment – the cornerstone of democracy – and every artist in the whole world who sees the United States as a beacon of freedom to join them.
