Music

Jane Fonda, Patti Smith, and Rufus Wainwright Lead First Amendment Celebration in NYC

Bette Midler, Joy Reid, and Sasha Allen are also slated to perform at Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14.

Rolling Stone·May 7, 2026·via Rolling Stone

Jane Fonda, Patti Smith, and Rufus Wainwright Lead First Amendment Celebration in NYC

In Solidarity

Jane Fonda, Patti Smith, Rufus Wainwright to Gather in Celebration of the First Amendment in NYC

Bette Midler, Joy Reid, Sasha Allen, and more will join Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14

By Charisma Madarang

Charisma Madarang

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May 7, 2026

In an evening of solidarity, Hollywood leaders will come together on Sunday, June 14, in New York City for Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment.

Jane Fonda , Bette Midler , Joy Reid, Patti Smith , Rufus Wainwright , Sasha Allen, and Broadway Inspirational Voices are set to appear and perform at the event, which will span 90-minutes and be available to stream online for free. National partner organizations and local civic groups will also host watch parties across the country. All proceeds from the event will go toward the work of the Committee for the First Amendment, which was revived in 2025 by Fonda and other members in the entertainment industry during the first year of the second Trump administration.

“Music has long been a tool to stand up to authoritarianism, and I am honored to spend the evening with these fiercely committed, talented, and brilliant people to celebrate our First Amendment rights,” Fonda said in a statement. “As we continue to watch bad faith leaders take more and more power, it is critical that we gather together, raise our voices collectively, and stand united against this administration — and have some fun while doing it.”

A press release bills the gathering as an “evening of song, solidarity, and action that will celebrate the freedoms guaranteed by our First Amendment, of speech, religion, press, assembly, and protest,” adding, “In a moment when authoritarians are increasing their attacks on our freedoms and communities, this is an opportunity for people across the country to rise up.”