Chelsea Handler has spoken out against the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel by ABC and Disney, emphasizing the importance of free speech and urging people to voice their opposition through various actions. She highlighted concerns about censorship, the state of democracy, and the need for peaceful activism to protect the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.

Chelsea Handler Speaks Out Against Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension and Free Speech Concerns

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Chelsea Handler, a former late-night host, shared her thoughts on Jimmy Kimmel's suspension from ABC. Amanda Edwards | Getty Images; Araya Doheny | WireImage

Chelsea Handler is the latest former late-night host to speak out against Disney and ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel.

“I was scheduled to be on Jimmy Kimmel’s show tonight, so obviously now I have some free time,” Handler said in an Instagram video Thursday night.

“As one of a handful of people who’ve hosted a late-night show, I think it’s pretty clear that our First Amendment, which is our right to free speech, is in grave danger,” said the New Jersey Hall of Famer, who grew up in Livingston.

The comedian hosted the late-night talk show “Chelsea Lately” on E! from 2007 to 2014. Later, she hosted the late-night show “Chelsea” on Netflix.

ABC and parent company Disney suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after Kimmel criticized the Republican response to the political background of Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with the murder of Charlie Kirk.

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing anything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said on Monday’s show.

Handler pointed out that “Fox & Friends” host Brian Kilmeade recently said on air that homeless people should be killed, “but somehow he gets to keep his job because he’s protected by the First Amendment, but Jimmy Kimmel may not be?”

“Kilmeade made the comment after co-host Lawrence Jones said that homeless people who have a mental illness and refuse treatment should be “locked up in jail.”

“Or involuntary lethal injection, or something,” Kilmeade replied. “Just kill ’em.”

“It’s pretty apparent what’s happening in America,” Handler said. “I mean, people have always faced backlash for things that they’ve said. We’ve just never had the government and government agencies like the FCC leading the charge to silence people before. Well, not since McCarthyism, which is one of the ugliest times in American history.

“We have to be the one to make our voices heard and not capitulate to being silenced,” she continued. “I know things are scary, but this isn’t a time for fear, it’s a time for action. Peaceful, nonviolent mobilization and protesting loudly. This is the moment to find your community and speak up before it’s too late. I know everyone’s tired. I’m tired, too. But I’m not tired enough to give away our democracy.”

In the caption of her post, Handler gave several ways for people to speak out.

“If this concerns you here are ways to take action,” she said. “1) Call your local ABC affiliate and let them know you disagree with their actions; 2) Contact Walt Disney Company and let them know you’re watching how they respond; 3) Be vocal, do not stop talking about this, do not stop making people aware that this is NOT okay.

“We have to support the comedians, the writers, the artists, and the reporters who challenge power, because that is what this country is supposed to be about,” she said. “We still have the voice. Use it.”