NEW YORK (AP) - In response to recent events surrounding Jimmy Kimmel's suspension, over 430 Hollywood and Broadway celebrities have joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in an open letter urging Americans to actively "fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights." This letter highlights what they describe as a "dark moment for freedom of speech" in the United States.
The substantial list of signatories includes notable figures such as Robert De Niro, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tom Hanks, and Meryl Streep, among many others. The open letter was published following a controversy that led to ABC suspending Kimmel's late-night talk show after he made comments regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This decision was influenced by ABC-affiliated stations expressing they would not air "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" leading The Walt Disney Co. to pull the show just before its scheduled airing.
The ACLU's letter emphasizes a shared commitment among the signatories, stating, "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." This sentiment reflects a collective concern that actions taken against one individual can impact the broader landscape of free speech in the nation.
Among the signatories are Emmy-winner Noah Wyle, Oscar-nominated Florence Pugh, comedian David Cross, Tony-winner Kelli O'Hara, and veteran actress Molly Ringwald. Also backing the letter are Pedro Pascal, Billy Crystal, Nathan Lane, Kerry Washington, and Kevin Bacon, showcasing a united front from various fields of entertainment in defense of free speech.
In a related development, ABC's "The View" addressed the controversy during their recent episodes after initially refraining from discussing it. Co-host Whoopi Goldberg asserted, "No one silences us," while condemning Disney's decision to suspend Kimmel's show. Ana Navarro expressed confusion regarding the government's influence in stifling free speech, pointing out that the First Amendment was designed to ensure freedom of the press and speech.
Alyssa Farah Griffin, presenting the show's conservative perspective, reiterated the importance of the First Amendment, stating, "The First Amendment is the first for a reason, because you need to be able to hold those in power accountable." Goldberg later mentioned that the show had initially wanted to monitor the situation to see if Kimmel would address the issue publicly, noting a similar approach was taken regarding the cancellation of CBS's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." However, as of now, Kimmel has not made a public statement regarding his suspension.
This unfolding situation raises significant questions about the balance between commentary, accountability, and the role of media figures in the current political climate. The overwhelming response from the entertainment community reflects a larger discourse on the rights of individuals, particularly public figures, to express their opinions without fear of reprisal or censorship.
