Jane Fonda: Hollywood must resist 'anticipatory obedience' to Trump administration

Actress and activist Jane Fonda declared that the United States has "come under attack" by the Trump administration and its allies, urging Hollywood to resist "anticipatory obedience" to push back against perceived threats to democracy. Speaking at the "Rise Up, Sing Out" concert in New York City on Sunday, Fonda asserted that the attacks are unique in coming from every branch of government: the executive, legislative, and Supreme Court.

Fonda, who relaunched her father's advocacy group, the Committee for the First Amendment, stated that there is a "clear effort to destroy our fundamental democratic rights and dramatically retake our form of governance." She described democracy as "in peril" and called for the entertainment industry to be unified and activated in defense of free expression, drawing parallels to the McCarthy era's Un-American Activities Committee.

The 88-year-old star attributed the "assault" to the victories won in civil rights and social justice, which she believes are being targeted for rollback. Fonda emphasized that these hard-fought gains have improved the country and should not be reversed, advocating for the defense of rights for everyone, regardless of political affiliation. She urged Americans across the political spectrum to stand up creatively and nonviolently to protect freedoms while they still can.