Protests Erupt in Hollywood as ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Suspension Ignites Free Speech Debate
Protests Erupt in Hollywood as ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Suspension Ignites Free Speech Debate
Hollywood’s iconic El Capitan Theatre became the focal point of a spirited protest today, as demonstrators gathered to voice their outrage over ABC’s decision to temporarily suspend ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live.’ The protest, which began earlier today at Disney’s Burbank headquarters, spilled onto Hollywood Boulevard, drawing a diverse crowd of fans, anti-Trump activists, and members of the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW).
Organized to coincide with the show’s usual taping time, the demonstration saw activists like Sunsara Taylor of RefuseFascism.org and WGAW members like Philip Walker leading chants and playing music. Signs critical of Disney and the current administration, including messages like ‘Cancel Disney+’ and ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Russia, Dump Disney and Hulu,’ were prominent.
The controversy stems from Kimmel’s recent monologue addressing the assassination of right-wing podcaster Charlie Kirk. According to protester Philip Walker, Kimmel’s comments were critical of Donald Trump’s perceived indifference, not the victim himself. Walker stated, ‘Clearly this isn’t about the person who was murdered, clearly this is about an overgrown man child who is throwing a tantrum.’
The protest escalated with strong political rhetoric, as Taylor shouted, ‘Donald Trump said today that if you criticize him, you could lose your broadcast license!’ She linked Kimmel’s suspension to broader concerns about fascism and censorship, urging the crowd to chant, ‘Trump must go! Jimmy Kimmel must stay!’
Support for Kimmel also came from fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert, who dedicated a segment of his CBS show to defending free speech and criticizing Disney’s actions. Former President Barack Obama weighed in via X, condemning the current administration for ‘routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like,’ framing it as a dangerous escalation of ‘cancel culture.’
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