【2005 Archives】

Most days Twitter absolutely sucks.

Sure005 Archives it has its share of cute dog photos and clever memes, but it's often a hub for distressing news, concerning exchanges between politicians, and harassment that isn't always met with consequences.

On Fridays, however, Twitter gets good. Like, reallygood. And it's all thanks to 81-year-old actress and activist Jane Fonda.

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Every Friday since Oct. 11, photos and videos of Fonda protesting on Capitol Hill, and in some cases being arrested, have dominated Twitter. She's always wearing the same iconic outfit — a $500 bright red coat from Neiman Marcus, black pants and shoes, and, if the day calls for it, a statement hat like a black beret. And she's never alone.

Brooklyn Decker, Jane Fonda, and June Diane Raphael speaking at a Fire Drill Friday protest. Credit: John Lamparsk i/ Getty Images

Each week Fonda is joined by a crowd of scientists, economists, and fired-up supporters, along with a few celebrity friends who show up to get arrested with her in the spirit of solidarity and saving the planet from climate change.

The weekly protests are part of Fire Drill Fridays, an initiative spearheaded by Fonda that seeks to inform people about the dire climate crisis our world is currently facing. In October, the actress announced that she was so inspired by young climate strikers like Greta Thunberg that she decided to move to Washington, D.C., for four months to help fight for a Green New Deal, protection of indigenous lands and sovereignty, and a more sustainable future.

In the time since, Fonda has become an unrelenting force on Capitol Hill. She's been arrested four times (once while accepting an award), spent a night in jail, and continues to inspire people with powerful platforms in Hollywood to cause meaningful scenes in Washington.

Ted Danson getting arrested at a Fire Drill Friday protest. Credit: Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Every week Fonda and her fellow protesters focus on a new issue related to the climate crisis — from the importance of oceans and the impacts of war on the environment, to the link between climate and environmental justice or the connection between climate and women. Fridays are spent protesting, and each Thursday Fonda hosts live-streamed teach-inswhere she speaks with experts, takes questions, and plans the following day's actions with her celebrity friends.

SEE ALSO: Watch Jane Fonda give an award speech while being arrested

So far, Fonda has been arrested with her Grace and Frankie co-star Sam Waterston, along with actors like Ted Danson, Rosanna Arquette, and Catherine Keener. One week Ben & Jerry's co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield marched with her, and she was even joined for a sit-in by Abigail Disney, Robert Kennedy, Jr., and her daughters on Grace and Frankie, June Diane Raphael and Brooklyn Decker.

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Manny Jacinto, Diane Lane, and Piper Perabo ventured out in the rain for Fonda's week on climate change's threats to fresh water. Taylor Schilling and Kyra Sedgwick participated in talks on climate change's impact on migrants and human rights issues. And Sally Field was arrested while protesting at the tenth Fire Drill Friday event, which focused on a "just transition" for workers and communities significantly affected by the move to a "clean energy economy."

It's crucial that Fonda calls on her celebrity friends to take action, not only because they have the reach needed to help make a serious difference, but because unlike many people, they have the resources needed to get arrested.

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A bond between generations

In the era of divisive generational burns like "OK Boomer," and increased youth-led protests and organizations, Fire Drill Fridays has created a safe, cool common ground where generations can work together.

Fonda's present-day protests are unique in the sense that they catch the eyes of boomers who grew up admiring her work and who are already familiar with her decades of activism and previous arrests. But they appeal to millennials and members of Gen-Z, too.

Younger generations might be less familiar with Fonda's classic films like 9 to 5, but perhaps they're fans of recent projects like Netflix's Grace and Frankie.Fonda brings a remarkable level of star power to Washington, D.C., on her own, but as she convinces more and more of her famous friends to join her — recognizable names from beloved shows such as The Good Place —the celebrity factor draws even more youth attention to her mission. Each week it's a small thrill to see which actors will be standing alongside her, and her bold, direct, no-fucks-given approach to standing up for her beliefs is especially inspiring.

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The fact that she continually champions young climate strikers like Greta Thunberg also lets other young people know that she takes them seriously and encourages them to join her fight. Fonda's had several young people speak at her protests, including 17-year-old activist Jerome Foster II and 11-year-old Big Little Lies actor Iain Armitage, who once played her on-screen grandson. And her real life granddaughter, Vasser Turner Seydell, was arrested for the first time while protesting at the kickoff event.

Getting arrested with a purpose and a plan

For the first few weeks, Fonda proudly got arrested like clockwork, but after her fourth arrest the actress was forced to revaluate her strategy.

"After the third arrest, they gave me a court date in November. And because I was arrested again before my court date, that's when they said, 'Well, you're going to have to spend the night in jail,'" Fonda told The Hollywood Reporter. "I have to be careful not to get to a point where they're going to keep me for 90 days, because I have to begin preparing for Grace and Frankie in January. So I'm not going to get arrested every time. They give you three warnings and so I will step away at the third warning."

Jane Fonda loves getting arrested. Credit: John Lamparski / Getty Images

The arrests usually result in paying a $50.00 bail fee, but after being faced with a longer jail sentence of 30 to 90 days, Fonda agreed to stay on the sidelines while her fellow protesters got handcuffed. She does, however, have some big plans for Friday, Dec. 20, aka the day before her 82nd birthday.

Per Fire Drill Friday's website, D.C. Deputy Attorney General, Brian Kim, recently told Fonda's lawyer that the Attorney General's office wouldn't be prosecuting her case, which meant she didn't have to show up in court on Nov. 27.

Since Fonda is now in the clear legally, she got arrested for a fifth time on Dec. 20 as planned. While an officer walked her away from the crowd of protesters, they loudly sang, "Happy Birthday." Queen.

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A weekly reminder that Jane's getting shit done

Every Friday morning since October, a part of me has lit up with excitement upon remembering that Jane Fonda would be protesting later in the day.

I remind my family group text that it's "Fonda Friday," and have even started referring to her group of protesters as "Booked Club" — a nod to getting arrested andher 2018 masterpiece of a rom-com, Book Club, which is thankfully rumored to be getting a sequel.

Fonda's efforts work to unite anyone concerned about the future of this planet, regardless of their age, and Fire Drill Fridays' prominent social media presence makes it easy to support her D.C. protests online from anywhere in the world.

She's created a rare, recurring, inclusive experience that spreads hope, motivation, and a sense of urgency on social media platforms every week, and more celebrities should follow her lead.

Fonda's last Fire Drill Friday event is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2020.

UPDATE: Dec. 20, 2019, 4:25 p.m. EST Updated to include Jane Fonda's fifth arrest.