Fri Oct 03 21:30:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Jane Fonda is relaunching her father Henry Fonda’s Committee for the First Amendment, originally founded in 1947 to combat McCarthyism. This revival comes amidst concerns about increasing authoritarianism and censorship, particularly within the entertainment industry. Fonda argues that freedom of speech is crucial for creatives and that a united, nonviolent resistance is necessary to counteract current threats to democracy. The relaunch follows a recent controversy involving Jimmy Kimmel, whose show was temporarily pulled from the air after criticizing the Trump administration. Fonda emphasizes the need to hit oppressive forces “in their pocketbooks” through non-cooperation and highlights the importance of unifying across sectors to challenge the current regime. She is very concerned that the current political moment surpasses the era of McCarthyism.

**News Article:**

**Jane Fonda Revives Father’s Free Speech Group Amidst Authoritarian Concerns**

**New York, NY** – Oscar-winning actress and activist Jane Fonda is reigniting her father, Henry Fonda’s, Committee for the First Amendment, originally formed in 1947 to fight McCarthyism. Fonda said the move comes in response to growing concerns about escalating authoritarianism and censorship within the entertainment industry and beyond.

“This regime is held up by pillars: military, media, professions and so forth. If each pillar organizes to remove support, we can do it,” said Fonda in an interview with Democracy Now!. Fonda expressed concerns that the suppression of free speech surpassed that which occurred during the McCarthy era.

The announcement follows recent events surrounding late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, whose show was temporarily suspended after criticizing the Trump administration. Fonda emphasized the importance of creatives and storytellers having freedom of speech and calls for a unified and nonviolent resistance to protect democracy.

The revamped Committee for the First Amendment aims to bring together members of the film and television industry to push back against government censorship and defend free expression. Fonda believes that financial pressure and non-cooperation are effective tools to challenge oppressive forces.

“We have to do it fast,” Fonda emphasized. “We have to be informed, and we have to be united.”

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