Jane Fonda accepts a BAFTA while being arrested: greatest acceptance speech?

I wrote two weeks ago about Jane Fonda getting arrested while protesting climate change at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Jane had said in an interview with the Washington Post that she’d moved to D.C. to protest, and was going to do it every single Friday: “It’ll be called ‘Fire Drill Friday.’ And we’re going to engage in civil disobedience and we’re going to get arrested every Friday.”

Well, true to her word, Jane was out protesting at the Capitol on Friday, and she got arrested again. This time was a bit different, though, as she accepted a BAFTA during her arrest! That video is above, and here’s EW’s writeup.

Jane Fonda is an icon, and don’t let anyone tell you differently.

For the third Friday in a row, Fonda was arrested at the U.S. Capitol during a demonstration to bring more attention to climate change. But this time, she multitasked — she also accepted an award while being led away in zip-tie cuffs.

The legendary actor was supposed to attend BAFTA LA’s annual celebration Friday night to accept the Stanley Kubrick award for excellence in film. Of course, since she had been arrested earlier on Friday in Washington, D.C., she had to miss the ceremony. That didn’t stop her from sending in a video acceptance speech to play in her absence.

[From Entertainment Weekly]

Ted Danson was also there, and he, too, was arrested:

This week, the ongoing protest focused on saving the ocean from pollution; ocean experts including Greenpeace’s John Hocevar spoke about how global warming and pollution are inhibiting the ocean’s ability to provide the oxygen and protein needed by ocean life and humans.

According to the Twitter account Fire Drill Fridays, which has been chronicling the Grace and Frankie star’s climate change awareness efforts, Fonda and Danson were part of a larger crowd chanting “Get in Motion, Save our Ocean”. The account followed up with a photo and video of the stars with their hands zip-tied by police.

[From Entertainment Weekly]

Here’s the tweet from Fire Drill Fridays:

EW refers to Jane’s BAFTA speech as possibly “the greatest acceptance speech of all time.” Jane was being incredibly savvy, deciding to thank BAFTA for her award while she was getting arrested. She could have filmed a video at home but she chose to offer her thanks while she was being filmed on Capitol Hill. She knew that cameras would be there to record her (and her fabulous red coat) and she knew that she was going to get arrested and that that was going to be filmed. Why not accept the award at the same time and generate even more publicity for climate action?

It’s great that Ted Danson joined her. Ted is a co-founder of Oceana, which has worked for over 30 years to protect the world’s oceans. I wonder whether co-stars Lily Tomlin or Martin Sheen will join Jane at some point? Sam Waterston was arrested with Jane last week.

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

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17 Responses to “Jane Fonda accepts a BAFTA while being arrested: greatest acceptance speech?”

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  1. Ally Theater says:

    Good to see them focusing on the issue.

  2. Lightpurple says:

    I love her.

    Come on, Lily, Martin, Redford, Rob Reiner, Nancy Sinatra, Lou Asner, all of Jane’s old friends. Join her every week

  3. BayTampaBay says:

    Jane should auction off that killer red “Fire Drill Coat” and donate the proceeds to Oceana. I would definitely put in a bid.

    I just love this woman.

    YOU GO GIRL!

  4. Snowslow says:

    Jane Fonda FTW. You go Ted Danson!
    Great great use of fame and recognition!!!

  5. Rapunzel says:

    There’s a very real propaganda campaign going on to promote climate change denialism. It’s enraging because it’s mostly passed on my boomers worried about not getting straws in restaurants. It’s nice to see people Jane and Ted’s ages caring.

    • Some chick says:

      Out here, as California burns, I couldn’t appreciate their efforts more. If I were closer, I’d go get arrested with Jane, even though I’m nobody.

  6. Becks1 says:

    I was seeing so many good tweets about this – stuff like “be as happy as Jane Fonda is when she’s getting arrested” lol. She’s an icon, and that acceptance speech is amazing.

  7. minx says:

    Love her!

  8. TIFFANY says:

    Sam Waterson was also wearing red during his arrest last week. They want to make sure they are seen. Good.

  9. Jan says:

    I wish I lived a life where I could join her!

  10. serena says:

    I have so much respect for Jane Fonda, and I love how Sam Waterston and now Ted Danson joined her (and now I like them even more). This is such a great and urgent cause and it really needs all the attention it can get.

  11. LindaS says:

    What is really gained by doing this. They are getting attention for themselves and what they believe but people either believe or dont believe in climate change. How is this going to change anybodys mind. Its my serious question.

  12. paddingtonjr says:

    You go Jane! Love the coat!

  13. Eva says:

    Can someone please explain to a non-American why they are being arrested for protesting?

    • Tiffany says:

      It will garner a lot of attention that civilians of the non celebrity who do get arrested will not receive.

    • MrsBanjo says:

      Because no matter that there’s a supposed freedom to protest, in reality that doesn’t really happen. Cities and states have decided that it’s perfectly acceptable to arrest protesters.

    • Some chick says:

      Often there is some sort of permit required for gatherings of a certain number. Or the police tell you to leave, and you don’t.

      Sometimes the protesters will chain their arms together. Then the cops pepper spray them.

      It’s gotten really draconian.