A group of prominent Hollywood figures and activists marked the 250th anniversary of America by launching a video campaign urging opposition to President Donald Trump’s administration. The video, unveiled on Variety, features numerous celebrities such as Mark Ruffalo, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ted Danson, and Judd Apatow. They recite excerpts from the book “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century,” by Timothy Snyder.
Snyder uses the video to emphasize the significance of the upcoming midterm elections. He describes it as a crucial moment for the country, stating that voters face a choice between progress and decline.
“Today, the Republic is 250 years old,” Snyder mentions in the video. “I wrote this book in November of 2016, and as I look to the upcoming November, I see a turning point.” He adds, “A time where things could improve, or worsen significantly.”
In the video, celebrities deliver lines from Snyder’s book discussing how nations fall into tyranny. Leslie Odom Jr., Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Holland Taylor, for example, speak against preemptive obedience. Isabel Allende and Lisa Rinna caution about one-party states.
Mark Ruffalo, known for his roles in Marvel’s “Avengers” films, explains his participation. A vocal critic of the Trump administration, he shares his hope for a shift away from governance favoring the affluent and powerful, focusing instead on the aspirations of future generations. Ruffalo urges the country to “advance towards its promise rather than repeat past mistakes and cruelty.”
Ruffalo also pushes for addressing the wealth gap and environmental conservation. He advocates moving beyond colonial practices towards embracing Indigenous wisdom and sustainable economies.
Snyder posted the video on Substack, encouraging a reimagining of America, describing it as “a special 250th.” He criticized current anniversary celebrations, accusing involved leaders of posing threats to liberty, pointing to arbitrary rule, legal indifference, and corruption.
The video also includes contributions from notable figures like Isabel Allende, Judd Apatow, Margaret Atwood, Joan Baez, Misha Collins, and others. Despite Fox News Digital’s outreach to the White House for comments, there has been no response.
For more details on media and culture, check the coverage links. The article is contributed to by Madison Colombo, a digital writer for Fox News Digital’s Flash, Media, and Culture team.