“We the people must never accept government threats to our freedom of speech. Efforts by leaders to pressure artists, journalists, and companies with retaliation for their speech strike at the heart of what it means to live in a free country,” the letter, posted to the American Civil Liberties Union’s Instagram reads.
“Last week, Jimmy Kimmel was taken off the air after the government threatened a private company with retaliation, marking a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation,” it continues. “In an attempt to silence its critics, our government has resorted to threatening the livelihoods of journalists, talk show hosts, artists, creatives, and entertainers across the board. This runs counter to the values our nation was built upon, and our Constitution guarantees.”
“We know this moment is bigger than us and our industry,” it goes on. “Teachers, government employees, law firms, researchers, universities, students and so many more are also facing direct attacks on their freedom of expression.
“Regardless of our political affiliation, or whether we engage in politics or not, we all love our country. We also share the belief that our voices should never be silenced by those in power — because if it happens to one of us, it happens to all of us,” it reads.”
“This is the moment to defend free speech across our nation. We encourage all Americans to join us, along with the ACLU, in the fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights.”
“In solidarity, ACLU,” it concludes.
Organized by the American Civil Liberties Union, the letter also boasts the signatures of such luminaries as Jason Bateman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Adam Scott, Martin Short, and Meryl Streep.
These celebrities realize that this Kimmel suspension has to be the line in the sand. Donald Trump has been waging war against free speech ever since he took office and now he’s weaponized the FCC to go after his critics. If we don’t take a stand and put a stop to this, our First Amendment will crumble before our eyes.
“We now find ourselves in a modern McCarthy era, facing exactly the type of heavy-handed government censorship our Constitution rightfully forbids. The silencing of Jimmy Kimmel and jawboning of media outlets through lawsuits and threats to their licenses evokes dark memories of the 1950s,” stated ACLU executive director Anthony D. Romero.
“We must remember, however, that Senator McCarthy was ultimately disgraced and neutralized once Americans mobilized and stood up to him. We must do the same today because, together, our voices are louder and, together, we will fight to be heard,” he added.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jane Fonda, Natalie Portman, and countless other huge names in Hollywood signed the letter. It’s time for Disney to cave. Hire Kimmel back immediately.
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