Michele Mulroney, recently named president of the Writers Guild of America West, delivered a rousing speech at the No Kings protest in Los Angeles, denouncing recent actions by President Donald Trump and his administration restricting the free speech of Hollywood writers, including targeting late-night shows.
“I am here today to represent our union, the Writers Guild of America West, and its 11,000 film, television and news journalists,” Mulroney began. “As writers, our currency is words and stories. The freedom to express ourselves is a fundamental American right and the very heart of our democracy. And it is under attack by this administration. They are using every tool at their disposal to silence dissenting voices.”
She continued: “In recent 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 deal with Trump. SO, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended in September due to a monologue that was mildly critical of Trump supporters. Shortly after Kimmel’s suspension, the President of the United States openly called for the expulsion of two other members of the Writers Guild: Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon.
“These late-night shows not only provide hundreds of good union jobs and much-needed laughs in these troubled times, but they entertain and inform audiences across the country,” Mulroney added. “They’re doing more than just telling jokes, they’re telling the truth. And it’s clear that some people can’t stand the truth.”
Continuing, Mulroney emphasized that the problem isn’t just about Tinseltown: “It’s not just about Hollywood. It’s about our fundamental right as human beings to disagree with those in power. To debate, to reason, to question ideas. That’s one of the foundations of a civil society.”
Mulroney also highlighted “the existence of free and independent media where facts can be reported without repercussions” as one of the key principles of a democratic citizenry. “But we currently find ourselves in an era of consolidated media where fewer and fewer gatekeepers control what we watch on television. We’ve all heard the FCC assert that ‘the public interest is best served by permitting the free expression of opinions,’ but FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is quick to support attacks on those who challenge the administration’s narrative.”
She continued: “Make no mistake: Mega-corporations have pushed for a pro-business administration that would allow them to consolidate their control over the media at the expense of free speech. Instead of diversity of expression, we have the administration that uses media giants to impose a single, uncontested narrative and perpetrate acts of blatant political censorship.”
Concluding his speech, Mulroney said the WGA “will not stand idly by and let these attacks go unanswered.”
“The Writers Guild is here today, with all of you, to say loud and clear that we will speak our minds, write our truths, tell our stories, and fight like hell for free speech and independent media. When our voices are loud and clear, when our words are powerful, we cannot be silenced. We have learned time and time again that when we fight? We win!” » she said, chanting “When we fight!” We win! »
In preparation for No Kings today, the WGA West Instagram account posted photos of members gathering to make signs.
Millions of people took to the streets across the country in support of the second round of protests against the Kings. Prominent Hollywood celebrities, such as Glenn Close, Spike Lee and Jean Smart, have expressed their unequivocal support for this national day of dissent.
In addition to Mulroney, well-known political and media figures took to the stage in various cities to address voters who came to demonstrate. In Washington DC, Bernie Sanders, Bill Nye and journalist Mehdi Hasan warned of the country’s drift toward fascism.
Katie Campione contributed to this report.
