“Today, books are being banned, plaques and monuments depicting historical events this administration wants to forget are being removed,” said Jane Fonda during a rally against political censorship at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The event, titled “Artists United for Our Freedoms,” was organized by Fonda’s Committee for the First Amendment, which she relaunched to combat increasing attacks on free speech.
Fonda’s remarks came as she criticized the Trump administration for defunding the National Endowment for the Arts and public broadcasting, actions she believes have contributed to a culture of censorship. Around a hundred invited guests attended the rally, where Fonda emphasized the importance of fighting back against censorship to protect democracy.
She warned of an authoritarian takeover in the U.S., drawing parallels to her experiences witnessing censorship in the Soviet Union during the 1970s. “If we don’t fight back, the news we get will be increasingly fake,” she asserted, highlighting the critical role of artists and activists in the current political climate.
Sam Waterston, another prominent figure at the rally, remarked, “What’s happening here at the Kennedy Center is not a culture war sideshow.” This statement underscored the seriousness of the issues at hand, as attendees expressed their commitment to defending free speech.
Joan Baez, who performed at the rally, echoed Fonda’s sentiments, stating, “I’m going to hang on to that glorious rainbow ribbon award and keep fighting like hell alongside of all of you until we restore our right to speak freely.” Baez’s presence and words reinforced the collective resolve among artists to stand against censorship.
The Kennedy Center, currently undergoing renovations, has faced criticism for being silenced in the face of political pressure. Fonda’s rally served as a reminder of the historical context of the Committee for the First Amendment, co-founded by her father, Henry Fonda, during the McCarthy era, a time when free speech was under severe threat.
As the event concluded, the attendees were left with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to advocate for artistic freedom and the right to free expression in the face of ongoing challenges.
