More than 400 of Hollywood’s biggest stars have signed an open letter in support of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel after the comedian’s show was indefinitely pulled from ABC’s airwaves last week.
The letter, organized by the American Civil Liberties Union, states that ABC’s suspension of Kimmel’s show marks “a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.”
“In an attempt to silence its critics, our government has resorted to threatening the livelihoods of journalists, talk show hosts, artists, creatives, and entertainers across the board,” the open letter reads. “This runs counter to the values our nation was built upon, and our Constitution guarantees.”
Celebrities including Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Robert De Niro, Selena Gomez, Tom Hanks, Ben Stiller, Meryl Streep and Kerry Washington are among the hundreds who have signed the letter.
ABC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Disney announced the suspension of Kimmel’s show on Sept. 17 for remarks the host made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel specifically criticized conservatives for “desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it.”
His words drew swift criticism from conservatives, including Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr. Carr pressured ABC and local broadcasters to “to take action” against Kimmel if they did not want their broadcast license suspended.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
But the suspension has sparked a furious debate over free speech. In the letter, the celebrities state that they all “love our country,” regardless of their political affiliation or engagement with the political system.
“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,” the artists add.
Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, said in a statement that Kimmel’s suspension hearkens back to the 1950s and McCarthyism.
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