Jane Fonda revives 'Hollywood Ten' defense committee amid free speech
Jane Fonda has revived the Committee for the First Amendment—a group her father, Henry Fonda, helped found back in the 1940s to defend free speech.
"Those forces have returned. And it is our turn to stand together in defense of our constitutional rights," she shared, highlighting the need to protect everyone's right to speak out, no matter their politics.
Over 550 stars back Fonda's move
More than 550 stars—including Viola Davis, Pedro Pascal, Billie Eilish, Kerry Washington, Natalie Portman, Sean Penn, and Spike Lee—are backing Fonda's move.
With rising political tensions, they want to push back against new threats to free speech in entertainment and media.
Original committee formed in the 1940s
The original committee formed in the 1940s during a crackdown on Hollywood for alleged Communist ties, defending the "Hollywood Ten" who were blacklisted.
By reviving it in 2025, Fonda is drawing a clear line between those past attacks on free expression and what's happening today.