“Today, books are being banned, plaques and monuments depicting historical events this administration wants to forget are being removed,” Jane Fonda stated during a rally at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on March 27, 2026. The event, titled “Artists United for Our Freedoms,” was organized by Fonda’s Committee for the First Amendment, which she relaunched to combat ongoing attacks on free speech.
Approximately a hundred invited guests attended the rally, where Fonda criticized the Trump administration for defunding the National Endowment for the Arts and public broadcasting. She warned of an authoritarian takeover in the United States, emphasizing the importance of fighting back against censorship to protect democracy.
Fonda recalled her experiences witnessing censorship in the Soviet Union during the 1970s, drawing parallels to current events. “If we don’t fight back, the news we get will be increasingly fake,” she warned, highlighting the potential dangers of political pressure on the media landscape.
Sam Waterston, another prominent figure at the event, remarked, “What’s happening here at the Kennedy Center is not a culture war sideshow,” reinforcing the seriousness of the issues at hand. The Kennedy Center itself has faced criticism for being silenced amid ongoing renovations.
Joan Baez, who performed at the rally, expressed her commitment to the cause, 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.” Her performance and words resonated with the audience, emphasizing the collective effort to combat censorship.
The rally also featured critiques of the current media landscape, with speakers addressing the challenges faced by journalists and artists under political pressure. Fonda’s call to action underscored the urgency of the situation, as she urged attendees to remain vigilant in the fight for free expression.
As the Committee for the First Amendment continues its work, the rally served as a reminder of the historical significance of free speech advocacy, a cause that dates back to its founding by Fonda’s father, Henry Fonda, during the McCarthy era. The event marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle against censorship in the arts.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding future initiatives by the Committee for the First Amendment, but the rally has set the stage for continued activism in defense of free speech.
