Late last week, Jane Fonda accepted an award from BAFTA Los Angeles while being arrested during a climate emergency protest in Washington DC.
The actor was honoured with the Stanley Kubrick award for excellence in film. It’s a prestigious award given to “legendary individuals whose work is stamped with the indelible mark of authorship and ingenuity”.
Previous winners include Cate Blanchett, George Clooney and Meryl Streep.
On the day of the BAFTA awards, Fonda was arrested for the third consecutive week on the steps of the U.S Capitol, as part of the Fire Drill Friday protest movement. Thirty others were arrested, including fellow actor and star of The Good Place, Ted Danson.
Jane Fonda and Ted Danson at the Fire Drill Friday protest.
On the night of the awards, the BAFTA audience was treated to a speech taped by Fonda.
In a pre-recorded video, she said, “I’m so honoured. I can’t believe it. I’m so grateful. It’s thrilling and I’m sorry I’m not there, but as you may have heard, I’ve been getting arrested. I decided I need to do more about climate change. And so, I moved to DC for four months, trying to heighten the sense of urgency that there needs to be.”
The video then cut to the 81-year-old being arrested in Washington DC.
“BAFTA, thank you. Thank you for the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film. Thank you! I’m sorry I’m not there,” Fonda shouted to the camera as she was led away in handcuffs.
“I’m very honoured,” she added before being detained in a police vehicle.
Fonda is no stranger to the world of activism, having been a major player in many protest movements over the past 60 years. During the Vietnam war, she earned the nickname ‘Hanoi Jane’ for her part in the anti-war movement.
jane fonda using her priviledge for activism is actually a really good thing, especially when shes been doing it her whole career. pic.twitter.com/3R82nG5DXB
