Recently elected Writers Guild of America West President Michele Mulroney delivered a rousing speech at the No Kings protest in Los Angeles, decrying President Donald Trump and his administration’s recent actions curtailing Hollywood writers’ freedom of expression, specifically via the targeting of late-night shows.
“I’m here today representing our union, the Writers Guild of America West, and its 11,000 film, television, and news writers,” Mulroney began. “As writers, our currency is words and stories. The freedom to express ourselves is a fundamental American right and the very core of our democracy. And it’s under attack by this administration. They are using every tool in their arsenal to silence voices of dissent.”
She continued, “These past few months we have seen direct attacks on Writers Guild members who use their platforms to criticize or question this administration. In July, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was abruptly canceled after Colbert made comments about Paramount’s settlement with Trump. Then, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended in September over a monologue that was lightly critical of Trump’s followers. Shortly after Kimmel’s suspension, the President of the United States openly called for the cancellation of two more Writers Guild members: Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon.”
Watch on Deadline
“These late-night shows not only provide hundreds of good union jobs, and much-needed laughs in these troubled times; they entertain and inform audiences all over the country,” Mulroney added. “They do far more than just tell jokes, they tell truth. And it’s clear that some people can’t handle the truth.”
In continuing, Mulroney singled out how the issue doesn’t just pertain to Tinseltown: “This isn’t just about Hollywood. This is about our fundamental right as human beings to disagree with those in power. To debate, to reason, to interrogate ideas. This is one of the foundations of a civil society.”
Mulroney also highlighted “the existence of a free, independent media where facts can be reported without repercussions” as one of the key tenets of a democratic populace. “But we currently find ourselves in an era of consolidated media where an increasingly small number of gatekeepers control what we get to watch on television. We’ve all heard the FCC claim that ‘the public interest is best served by permitting free expression of views,’ yet FCC Chairman Brendan Carr does not hesitate to support attacks on those who challenge the Administration’s narrative.”
She continued, “Make no mistake: Mega corporations pushed for a pro-business administration that would allow them to consolidate their control over media at the cost of free speech. Instead of diversity of expression, we have the administration using media behemoths to impose a single, uncontested narrative and perpetrate acts of blatant political censorship.”
In concluding her speech, Mulroney stated that the WGA will “not stand by and let these attacks go unaddressed.”
“The Writers Guild stands here today, with all of you, to say loudly and proudly that we will speak our minds, write our truths, tell our stories, and fight like hell for free speech and an independent media. When our voices are strong and clear, when our words are powerful, we cannot be silenced. We’ve learned time and again that when we fight? We win!” she said, leading a chant of “When we fight! We win!”
In preparation for No Kings today, the WGA West Instagram account posted photos of members coming together to make signs.
Millions have taken to the streets across the nation in support of the second round of No Kings protests. Prominent Hollywood celebrities, like Glenn Close, Spike Lee and Jean Smart, have voiced their resounding support for the countrywide day of dissent.
In addition to Mulroney, well-known figures across politics and media took to stages in various cities to address constituents who had turned up to demonstrate. In Washington, D.C., Bernie Sanders, Bill Nye and journalist Mehdi Hasan issued warnings against the country’s creep into fascism.
Katie Campione contributed to this report.