BREAKING: More than 400 artists, including Hollywood heavyweights like Pedro Pascal and Mark Ruffalo, have united in a powerful letter supporting Jimmy Kimmel after his show was suspended by Disney-owned ABC. This urgent development comes in the wake of Kimmel’s comments regarding conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and increasing pressure from FCC chair Brendan Carr.
The letter, organized by the ACLU, emphasizes the significant threat to freedom of speech posed by governmental pressures on artists and media. “We the people must never accept government threats to our freedom of speech,” the letter states, highlighting the chilling effect such actions can have on creative expression.
Kimmel’s suspension has sparked widespread concern among artists and activists alike, marking what many are calling “a dark moment for freedom of speech.” The letter continues, “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.”
This growing backlash includes notable figures like Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who took to social media to warn, “If it happens to one of us, it happens to all of us.” She publicly criticized ABC’s decision, posting alongside Kimmel with the caption, “SHAME @ABC.”
Ruffalo also voiced his concerns, stating, “It’s going to go down a lot further if they cancel his show,” adding commentary on Disney’s stock price implications. His remarks reflect a broader sentiment among the signatories about the potential fallout from Kimmel’s suspension, which they argue could set a worrying precedent for artistic freedom.
Pascal, known for his roles in The Mandalorian, also expressed his solidarity. He shared a photo with Kimmel on Instagram, captioning it, “Defend #FreeSpeech Defend #DEMOCRACY.”
This story is still developing, with many in Hollywood and beyond closely monitoring the situation. The letter’s signatories underscore the urgency of this issue, reminding the public of the vital importance of protecting free speech in a democratic society.
As this situation unfolds, all eyes are on ABC and Disney to see if they will respond to the mounting pressure from the artistic community and the public. Stay tuned for further updates on this critical issue.
