Billie Eilish among 550 stars to re-launch free speech committee from 1940s
Billie Eilish, Gillian Anderson, Pedro Pascal and Gracie Abrams are among 550 actors, writers, musicians, and directors who have come together to re-launch the Committee For The First Amendment.
The group originally began in the late 1940s and worked to oppose the suppression of free speech. The group has been revived in reaction to the recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live, a late-night show that received threats from the government entity, the Federal Communications Commission, in reaction to comments made on the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel returned to the air on September 23rd and stressed that his comments were never meant to “make light” of the murder. However, he deemed Trump a “bully” and refused to apologise for his ongoing antagonisation of the Republican administration.
The 1947 group was started during the McCarthy era, when many in the entertainment industry were accused of being Communists. This was widely considered a witch-hunt and led to many left-wing views being suppressed for safety matters.
The new committee begins their official statement: “This Committee was initially created during the McCarthy Era, a dark time when the federal government repressed and persecuted American citizens for their political beliefs. They targeted elected officials, government employees, academics, and artists. They were blacklisted, harassed, silenced, and even imprisoned.”
It continued, “The McCarthy Era ended when Americans from across the political spectrum finally came together and stood up for the principles in the Constitution against the forces of repression. Those forces have returned. And it is our turn to stand together in defence of our constitutional rights. 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. 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 ability to criticize, question, protest, and even mock those in power is foundational to what America has always aspired to be.”
“We know there is power in solidarity and strength in numbers. We will stand together—fiercely united—to defend free speech and expression from this assault. This is not a partisan issue. That is why we urge every American who cares about the First Amendment—the cornerstone of our democracy—and every artist around the globe who looks to the United States as a beacon of freedom to join us.”
“And to those who profit from our work while threatening the livelihoods of everyday working people, bowing to government censorship, and cowering to brute intimidation: we see you and history will not forget. This will not be the last you hear from us.”
Other stars who are part of the committee include Jane Fonda, who is leading the initiative, as well as Janelle Monae, Spike Lee, Celine Song, Elliot Page, and Olivia Wilde. See the full list here.
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