Jane Fonda urges Americans to join 'No Kings' rallies, warns of 'existential' crisis under Trump

WASHINGTON, DC: Actress and activist Jane Fonda urged people across the country to get involved ahead of the "No Kings" protests scheduled for Saturday, March 28. She cautioned that the nation is facing serious, even "existential" risks under the leadership of Donald Trump. Highlighting the strength of unity, she said, "We’re the majority... so we have to act like it."

The "No Kings" protests have gained widespread attention, drawing noticeable crowds from across the US. Fonda emphasized that these events should not be limited to experienced protesters. 

She encouraged supporters to reach out and invite new people, urging them to "bring five people" who have never protested before. In her view, the goal is not only to oppose the government or the Trump administration, but also to create a sense of community and take an important first step toward broader collective action.

Jane Fonda calls for mass turnout: 'People feel desperate'

Speaking ahead of the demonstrations, she pointed to a deep sense of urgency among the public, saying, "People feel desperate," during her appearance on MS NOW's 'Inside with Jen Psaki' on Friday. Fonda urged Americans to turn out in large numbers for the "No Kings" rallies, warning that the country was facing what she described as an “existential” moment. 

She framed the protests as more than just a political response. Instead, she presented them as an entry point for people who had never taken part in activism before. Fonda encouraged attendees not only to show up, but also to involve others and begin building a sense of community through collective action.

"It’s like dipping your toe in. It’s the first step, so we should all go tomorrow, but we shouldn’t just go. We should bring five people, bring people that we know that have never been to a protest. It’s like a first step," she said.

Fonda highlighted that these gatherings could help people connect and support each other, even if those in power were not directly impacted: "You meet new friends, you build community. It’s very important. Because it’s not affecting his pocketbook, Trump maybe doesn’t care about the ‘No Kings,’ but we do."

She also linked the protests to larger concerns, especially climate change, warning that the issue was being overlooked at a critical time. She stressed the importance of action, saying, "This is such an important time... because it’s in our hands. We can save the future."

Continuing on the climate issue, she added, "The climate is being forgotten about. We are facing an existential climate crisis, and fossil fuels are everywhere with [Trump]. We can change what’s happening. We are the majority. We don’t have a lot of time."

Jane Fonda doesn’t want to be judged by history for not having done all she can

Fonda also reflected on how this period would be judged in the future, suggesting that people’s choices now would matter for generations. "How exciting to be a grown-up person right now to be able to be part of this because... history is going to be very much on top of this. They’re going to know who was on which side," she said.

The actress ended by stressing personal responsibility and the importance of doing one’s part, adding, "I don’t want to be judged by history and by my children and grandchildren of not having done all I can. Everybody has a role."

Jane Fonda reads out statement from Renee Nicole Good's wife at St Paul rally

At the “No Kings” rally at the Minnesota State Capitol in St Paul, Fonda didn't make any speech of her own; instead, she read a letter from Becca Good, the wife of Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis in January. 

“The reality is, I am so heartbroken. I miss my wife. The world now knows that my wife sparkled with sunshine and shone with kindness that is unmatched," the actress read.

She continued reading, “Everyone who was there when my wife was taken from me has had their lives destroyed that day, including those agents. What we need is to stop destroying life."

In the message, Becca described her wife as an “incredible human” and said they believed in “radical kindness.”

“What is happening now is the result of far deeper issues that have been simmering across this country for a long time: divisive rhetoric, escalating tensions, fear mongering,” she continued. “We have to address the root causes of these issues and stop this violence where it came from."

Apart from Fonda, several other well-known voices took part in the “No Kings” protests, including actor Robert De Niro and political leaders such as Tim Walz, Bernie Sanders, and Ilhan Omar. The third round of "No Kings" protests saw strong participation across the US, turning into huge gatherings in many cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles.