Friend,

Jimmy Kimmel has poked fun at many politicians and public figures over the years. He’s a late-night talk show host. That’s what he does.

Donald Trump has frequently been the subject of his jokes. As you can imagine, this has not endeared Kimmel to the president.

Trump’s inability to handle criticism took a new, dark turn this week, when Trump’s handpicked FCC commissioner mounted a pressure campaign on Kimmel’s bosses to get Kimmel taken off the air – and it worked.

Last night, Kimmel was officially suspended by ABC, and his show was pulled from the air indefinitely.

This is not an isolated incident. It’s a pattern under the Trump administration of stifling dissent, and I’m extremely concerned about what it means for the future of free speech in our country.

Trump’s efforts to stifle criticism from the free press are wide ranging. We should also remember: The lawsuits against The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and 60 Minutes. The Associated Press being blocked from the White House press pool for merely refusing to call the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.” The list goes on.

Make no mistake about it: We are witnessing a shameless assault on the First Amendment, and we all need to speak up and fight back – right here, right now. That’s why I’m counting on you to take action today and sign my new petition.

Please, will you add your name now to condemn Trump and protect our First Amendment rights?

Together, I know we can win this fight and protect the country we love. Thanks for speaking out.

– Rev. Raphael Warnock