Image: @RefuseFascizm
Calling all comedians, actors, writers and those who care about justice. Speak Out MONDAY, JULY 21 · 4PM at the Ed Sullivan Theater
* Ed Sullivan Theater – 1697 Broadway, NYC
* Colbert Stays! Trump Must Go Now! No Fascist Censorship and Retaliation.
CBS/Paramount’s cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert comes in the wake of Paramount paying a $16 million settlement to Trump for a bogus lawsuit against 60 Minutes, and Colbert speaking out against it. This has the pungent odor of appeasement to fascism. Their claim that the cancellation was purely for economic reasons is also unconscionable. In the face of advancing fascism, even if there are financial considerations – this is a time to support dissenting voices, not to cancel them.
In effect, this is collaboration with the Trump fascist regime’s suppression of dissenting voices and culture. It comes on the heels of the Trump regime and their MAGA Congress drastically defunding PBS and NPR, and Trump openly threatening to revoke the citizenship of public critics like Rosie O’Donnell and Zohran Mamdani. Now, Trump has written on Truth Social, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired…I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next.”
NO! Colbert Must Stay! It is Trump who must go…now!
This is fascist suppression of dissent at a time when people are hunted down and kidnapped by ICE, federal troops are deployed in Los Angeles, and the rule of law is hanging by a thread. We must not let this spread a chill throughout the arts and media to “watch what you say” and “bite your tongue.” Instead, we must refuse to be silenced and intimidated. Appeasement is Collaboration.
Imagine all artists, journalists, writers, producers – all who care about artistic freedom and the right to dissent – using their role, artistry, platform, and every opportunity to call out the fascism of this regime and call in the people who must struggle against it. Imagine everyone who is told to be silent doubling and tripling down on their truth-telling. Imagine every attempt Trump makes to silence dissent resulting in even more voices of resistance filling the air. Imagine audiences of late night talk shows all wearing tee-shirts that boldly say Trump Must Go Now!
Together, let us become many voices with one message:
In the Name of Humanity, We Refuse to Accept a Fascist America! The Trump Fascist Regime Must Go Now!
We are in an emergency situation. URGENTLY NEEDED: Mass, non-violent resistance and refusal that grinds the machinery of the Trump fascist regime to a halt – creating such a profound political crisis that Trump cannot impose his fascist program, cannot govern the country, and cannot even hold onto power.
Speak out Monday, July 21 4pm at the Ed Sullivan Theater.
One week later, on Monday, July 28 – back into the streets at lunchtime and 6pm: NO MORE BUSINESS AS USUAL!
Join with refusefascism.org