“Today, books are being banned, plaques and monuments depicting historical events this administration wants to forget are being removed,” declared Jane Fonda 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 aims to combat ongoing attacks on free speech.
Around a hundred invited guests attended the rally, where Fonda criticized the Trump administration for its actions, including defunding the National Endowment for the Arts and public broadcasting. She emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning of an authoritarian takeover in the U.S.
Fonda’s Committee for the First Amendment has historical roots, co-founded by her father, Henry Fonda, during the McCarthy era. This legacy was echoed in her remarks as she recalled witnessing censorship in the Soviet Union in the 1970s.
Fonda’s call to action resonated with many, including Joan Baez, who performed at the rally and stated, “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.”
Sam Waterston also spoke at the event, asserting, “What’s happening here at the Kennedy Center is not a culture war sideshow.” His comments highlighted the broader implications of censorship in the current political climate.
The rally also featured critiques of the media landscape, with Fonda warning, “If we don’t fight back, the news we get will be increasingly fake.” The urgency of her message underscored the need for collective action against censorship.
As the Kennedy Center undergoes renovations, it has faced criticism for being silenced, making the rally’s message even more poignant. Fonda’s efforts to reignite the Committee for the First Amendment reflect a commitment to protecting democratic values through artistic expression.
With the rally concluded, the focus now shifts to ongoing efforts to combat censorship and ensure that free speech remains a cornerstone of American democracy. Activists and artists alike are expected to continue their fight in the coming months, as the stakes for free expression grow ever higher.