The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday named April 30, 2024 “Jane Fonda Day” in recognition of the the actor’s activism for the environment, peace and justice issues, and women’s rights.
Fonda, 86, received a proclamation in her honor from Third District Supervisor and board chair Lindsay Horvath during a live presentation at the board meeting held in downtown Los Angeles. Fonda, wearing a black beret, delivered brief remarks about political activism and environmentalism. She was greeted by applause and a standing ovation.
The iconic actress is a two-time Academy Award winner and has starred in numerous classic movies during a lengthy Hollywood career on the silver screen, and on TV and Broadway. She is the daughter of the late actor Henry Fonda.
“See dad, I wasn’t always bad,” she said. “I’m kind of blown away. I cannot believe there is a Jane Fonda Day.”
Horvath did not specifically mention Fonda’s protest against the Vietnam War in 1972 that caused a huge reaction at the time and can still cause objections among some older veterans. But her motion did reference that the actress was inspired to keep speaking out for peace and justice by her activity during the Vietnam War era.
She credited the actress with starting the One Billion Rising movement in 2012 to end violence against women and members of the LGBTQIA community. “One billion people annually rose not only to end violence against women and girls but to protect the Earth,” Horvath said.
“She is a strong example of how we must all put it on the line to protect our planet,” Horvath said. “Jane has been a tireless champion for environmental activism.”
In 1972, Fonda made headlines when she protested the war in Vietnam by visiting Hanoi and denouncing the war in the media. Fonda was photographed sitting behind a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun. That unfolded while U.S. troops were fighting the North Vietnamese. The photo sparked outrage among veteran groups,…
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