Statement in Support of Martin Sheen
Sign Now
We, the undersigned, wish to express our support for Martin Sheen -- for his right to speak, to protest, and to do so free of threats to his person and his job.
As the U.S. marches toward war, our public discourse has been infected by attacks on those who have spoken out in opposition to the U.S. governments Iraq policy.
Anti-war voices on our airwaves have been silenced or have had their patriotism questioned. Death threats have been hurled at artists who have spoken out against war in Iraq.
Some of our fellow citizens argue that artists should not express their views about issues of war because they are not qualified to do so, although this argument is rarely heard when artists express views in support of the war.
Some of our fellow citizens, including some journalists, have called for prominent members of the anti-war community who are artists, especially Martin Sheen, to be fired from their jobs in retaliation for speaking out.
This sentiment is outrageous and we strongly reject it. As the Screen Actors Guild has stated: [W]e deplore the idea that those in the public eye should suffer professionally for having the courage to give voice to their views. Even a hint of the blacklist must never again be tolerated in this nation.
Every single American, famous or anonymous, has the right to speak out on the issues of the day as each of us sees fit, without being threatened, and without having our patriotism or love of country questioned.
Just because a person is famous or wealthy does not negate their right as an American citizen to participate in public discourse.
Furthermore, at a time when non-celebrities who are opposed to war can only dream of getting thirty seconds of airtime on TV or radio to express their views, we applaud and thank the public figures in the anti-war movement, especially Martin Sheen -- for having the courage to be the face of this movement, for having the strength and good humor to deal with the threats, and most importantly, for having the generosity to stand up for all of us and our beloved country
As the U.S. marches toward war, our public discourse has been infected by attacks on those who have spoken out in opposition to the U.S. governments Iraq policy.
Anti-war voices on our airwaves have been silenced or have had their patriotism questioned. Death threats have been hurled at artists who have spoken out against war in Iraq.
Some of our fellow citizens argue that artists should not express their views about issues of war because they are not qualified to do so, although this argument is rarely heard when artists express views in support of the war.
Some of our fellow citizens, including some journalists, have called for prominent members of the anti-war community who are artists, especially Martin Sheen, to be fired from their jobs in retaliation for speaking out.
This sentiment is outrageous and we strongly reject it. As the Screen Actors Guild has stated: [W]e deplore the idea that those in the public eye should suffer professionally for having the courage to give voice to their views. Even a hint of the blacklist must never again be tolerated in this nation.
Every single American, famous or anonymous, has the right to speak out on the issues of the day as each of us sees fit, without being threatened, and without having our patriotism or love of country questioned.
Just because a person is famous or wealthy does not negate their right as an American citizen to participate in public discourse.
Furthermore, at a time when non-celebrities who are opposed to war can only dream of getting thirty seconds of airtime on TV or radio to express their views, we applaud and thank the public figures in the anti-war movement, especially Martin Sheen -- for having the courage to be the face of this movement, for having the strength and good humor to deal with the threats, and most importantly, for having the generosity to stand up for all of us and our beloved country
Sign The Petition
Continue with Google
OR
If you already have an account please sign in, otherwise register an account for free then sign the petition filling the fields below.
Email and password will be your account data, you will be able to sign other petitions after logging in.
Shoutbox
Goal
250 signatures
Goal: 100
Latest Signatures
244.
Aino P
|
I support Mr Sheen in voicing his opinions. There is still such a thing as freedom of speech in the United States. Those who want to silence the people who are speaking against the war are beginning to turn the United States into a dystopian country, wher
241.
Yvonne J
|
I'm too am from the UK and it seems to me that citizens from every free country should stand up for the rights of others to express their opinions without the treat of losing their Job or their Life being threatened.
234.
Jennifer Cobb
|
Having the right to free speech also means having the right to argue your point. i have yet to hear a convincing rebuttal from the American government. Is free speech only free speech when the government can use it to their advantage?
231.
Ani G
|
I HATE SHRUBS!!! Martin Sheen is the coolest, nicest person in th world. ::Raising her hand:: Im in full support of Martin!
226.
Amanda S
|
Freedom of speech is a birth right of each and every American citizen, I support Mr Sheen's view that we should not go to war with Iraq. Blacklisting is appalling and should not be tolerated in this country!
Tags
No tags
Embed Codes
direct link
link for html
link for forum without title
link for forum with title
