SAG-AFTRA, WGA and several other Hollywood unions have blasted ABC’s decision to abruptly pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the late-night host’s pointed remarks about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk,
As per PEOPLE, Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) reacted against ABC’s decision.
The statement said, "SAG-AFTRA condemns the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
It continued, "Our society depends on freedom of expression. Suppression of free speech and retaliation for speaking out on significant issues of public concern run counter to the fundamental rights we all rely on," adding, "Democracy thrives when diverse points of view are expressed."
"The decision to suspend airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! is the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms," the union added.
"SAG-AFTRA stands with all media artists and defends their right to express their diverse points of view, and everyone’s right to hear them," it concluded.
The WGA also denounced the move, saying it opposed efforts to silence dissenting voices.
The union stressed that free speech protects even unpopular views, warning that silencing writers “impoverishes the whole world.”
On September 17, an ABC spokesperson confirmed Jimmy Kimmel Live! was placed on indefinite hiatus after Kimmel, 57, addressed the 22-year-old accused of killing Kirk during Monday’s show.
Kimmel said at the show, “The MAGA Gang (is) desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”
To note, Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University on September 10.