A large number of cultural professionals, including visual artists, have joined a revived McCarthy-era free speech organization spearheaded by actress Jane Fonda.
On October 1, Fonda revealed plans to bring back the Committee for the First Amendment, an anti-censorship assembly originally established in 1947 with fanfare by her father, actor Henry Fonda. The original committee became renowned for its opposition to the hearings conducted by the House Un-American Activities Committee during the McCarthy era, which persecuted and pushed for the blacklisting of Hollywood artists amid the tense atmosphere of anti-communism in mid-20th century America.
In light of the Trump administration, the committee will now focus on defending free expression and resisting censorship through “noncooperation” and “nonviolence,” according to a recently issued statement from the group.
This group has reassembled following the temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show due to his comments regarding Charlie Kirk, which caused widespread outcry and concerns over censorship. The committee asserts that the current government is “conducting a systematic effort to silence dissenters across government, media, judiciary, academia, and the entertainment sector.”
The 2025 revitalization of this committee features an impressive roster of supporters, including Billie Eilish, Cynthia Nixon, and Barbra Streisand. Among the notable visual artists in the renewed committee are textile artist Jody Uttal, filmmaker Kathy Brew, and Emmy-award-winning cartoonist Joe Wos.
Expressing her dismay over what she calls a climate of “censorship of ideas and artistic expressions,” Uttal shared with Hyperallergic via phone that she agreed to join the committee after being approached by an organizer associated with Fonda.
“I don’t use figurative imagery, nor do I use words, but having the ability to create my work and share it … I hope I will always have that opportunity,” Uttal remarked.
Joe Wos, a cartoonist recognized with the prestigious Reuben Award and an Emmy for hosting PBS’s Cartoon Academy in 2021, conveyed to Hyperallergic that he connected with this emerging group due to a fear of entering a second McCarthyist era in America. He feels an obligation to safeguard the rights of future artists and performers.
“Art conveys truth, and entertainment can communicate that truth to the people,” Wos expressed. “We are in a fight for our livelihoods, as well as for the preservation of those hard-won liberties for future generations of artists and creators.”
Having experienced efforts to control his expression, Wos recounted being expelled from a high school newspaper for writing critiques of the administration and receiving a cease-and-desist notice from Krispy Kreme over a cartoon he produced. While he is no stranger to what he terms “corporate censorship,” he believes that the current administration’s attempts at regulating expression are far more concerning.
“Censorship driven by corporate interests has always been an issue, but right now we are witnessing governmental censorship being wielded as a weapon by an administration that is antagonistic towards the arts and against anyone who dares to speak out,” Wos stated in an email to Hyperallergic
Filmmaker Kathy Brew also shared with Hyperallergic her belief that the U.S. is on the brink of a new McCarthy era and voiced her worry that artists might begin to self-censor.
“The responsibility of artists in this political climate is to remain as commentators, activists, and documentarians, to resist authoritarianism and respond to pressing global issues,” Brew articulated. She added that artists are urged to create “despite these obstacles.”
Over its brief tenure so far, the committee has utilized its Instagram platform to highlight the significance of the First Amendment. They’ve also raised alarms about government criticisms aimed at country musician Luke Bryan’s recent song, which openly critiques U.S. immigration enforcement.
When approached to join the committee, Uttal immediately recalled Rock the Vote, which emerged from concerns about rap and hip hop artists facing censorship in the 1990s in various cities across the country. A particular artwork came to her mind: a 1996 piece by Josh Gosfield depicting a Brown man with an American flag-draped hand stifling his mouth, with text that read “Censorship is Un-American.”
“I don’t engage in overtly political artwork right now, but people must pursue efforts similar to Rock the Vote’s ‘Censorship is Un-American’ campaign. It was widely displayed across urban areas nationwide. Currently, we need to disseminate imagery that directly addresses this issue,” Uttal emphasized. “It’s crucial that people see it.”
