On Wednesday, more than 550 celebrities relaunched the Committee for the First Amendment. The group initially formed during the late 1940s to resist the House Un-American Activities Committee. Members now say they are responding to what they view as modern threats to free expression.
Jane Fonda Leads New Effort
Actor and activist Jane Fonda is at the forefront of the movement. Her father, Henry Fonda, helped found the original committee. Fonda warned peers in her invitation letter that today feels “the most frightening moment” of her life. She called for solidarity, stressing the importance of collective action in protecting constitutional rights.
Star-Studded List of Supporters
The re-formed committee includes prominent figures across entertainment and culture. Filmmakers Spike Lee, Barry Jenkins, Patty Jenkins, J.J. Abrams, and Aaron Sorkin joined the effort. Musicians Barbra Streisand, John Legend, Billie Eilish, and Janelle Monáe also signed. Actors such as Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman, Viola Davis, and Pedro Pascal pledged their support. Former SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher added her name as well.
Concerns Raised in Committee Letter
In a public statement, the group likened current conditions to those of the McCarthy era. They argue that government actions are again silencing dissent across institutions like the press, academia, and entertainment. They stress that defending free speech is not a partisan issue but a constitutional principle.
Divided Reactions to Relaunch
Supporters view the committee as a necessary defense of civil liberties. They believe recent political and cultural climates echo past eras of repression. Critics, however, question the group’s claims. Some argue that equating today’s debates with McCarthyism exaggerates current challenges. Others contend celebrities risk politicizing free speech concerns for personal or professional gain.
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Hundreds of celebrities relaunch a McCarthy-era committee to defend free speech
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