Jane Fonda, this year’s honoree for the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film, gave her acceptance speech while being arrested. The film legend and Grace and Frankie star was arrested on Friday while participating in a climate change march in Washington DC. It was the third Friday in a row she has been arrested for protesting.
Fonda has participated in political activism since the 1960s, using her platform to shed light on issues such as climate change and women’s rights. This week, she was arrested alongside The Good Place’s Ted Danson for alleged unlawful protesting. As a result, Fonda was unable to attend the Britannia Awards, which were held in Los Angeles. The LA branch of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts presents these awards annually, honoring those from both the US and the UK. Other honorees this year include Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), Jordan Peele, and Jackie Chan.
BAFTA Los Angeles posted a clip of Fonda’s speech on Twitter, showing her calling out her thanks while being arrested. “Thank you! I’m sorry I’m not there!” she shouts. “I’m very honored!” She is soon pulled away by police. The clip played at the awards ceremony and received a standing ovation. Those in attendance supported her efforts, including Taron Egerton, who presented her award.
Last week, Fonda was arrested alongside her Grace and Frankie co-star Sam Waterston. Their hit Netflix show was recently renewed for season 7, which will also be its final season. With 94 total episodes, it will become Netflix’s longest running original series. The sixth season will be released in January 2020, though no official date has been given.
It is not uncommon for celebrities to use their platforms to speak out on political topics, but Fonda’s brand of activism takes things to a new level. While she is far from the first celebrity to be arrested while protesting, the fact that she has been arrested three weeks in a row makes her stand out from the crowd. It is inspiring to see someone stand up for what they believe in, regardless of how many times they get struck down. Fonda is a well-respected actress, and to have someone like her taking a bold stance on climate change is incredibly important during this time when so many people are still ignoring the threat of it. What will be really interesting to see is whether or not she gets arrested for a fourth time next week. At the very least, no one can claim Fonda does not take her political beliefs seriously.
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Source: BAFTA Los Angeles
