Let’s get a few things out of the way, shall we? 

Climate Change is real, very real—exceptionally real. So—this article may not be about the overwhelming natural threat of global warming, but it is a joyful celebration of protest headlines that should warm your heart and give our shriveled recourses of hope just a bit of color. 

Last Friday, Jane Fonda (“Grace and Frankie,” feminist icon, all-around American hero) was arrested on Capitol Hill while participating in a climate change protest… for the third time. 

With what’s known as “Fire Drill Friday,” people gather to protest the United States government and their inaction regarding environmental issues. 

Jane Fonda—a well-known celebrity activist, has attended a good amount of them. 

With the 32 people arrested for charges of “crowding, obstructing or incommoding” (WQADNews), Jane Fonda and Ted Danson were the two most notable. 

Danson seemed to be a guest of Fonda, the two smiling in pseudo-handcuffs as they’re escorted to police cars. Fonda, because she’d fabulous, delivered her acceptance speech for her BAFTA award— the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award, as she was being detained. 

It seems she had every intent to get arrested that day (right on) due to a prerecorded video in which she says: “I’m sorry that I’m not there, but as you may have heard I’ve been getting arrested. I decided that I needed to do more, so I moved to D.C. for four months and I’m trying to heighten the sense of urgency there needs to be. 

Anyway, that’s why I’m not with you tonight, but it’s for a good cause.” One can assume she’ll be continuing her streak at Fire Drill Fridays and, to quote my beloved editor—Hannah Rutkowski, “I want Fonda to bring a new celeb to get arrested with every week.” We all agree. 

Of course, the above statement is wrong. Because many people have decided that Fonda’s demonstrations are nothing to praise, but brilliant pieces of evidence to criticize Fonda and her ‘unchecked privilege.’ 

Social media has accused Fonda of using these protests as platforms for attention rather than social change. She can “afford” to be arrested, and therefore we shouldn’t praise her for exploiting her celebrity/white/wealthy privilege to get on the news. 

But…that’s the point. This is one of the few times where privilege is being used correctly. Jane Fonda has a long and lovely history of political activism, these demonstrations are nothing new. 

Fonda’s using her name (and Danson’s) to promote a platform, she’s making a scene and getting in the news so that these protests can’t be ignored. She can afford to be arrested, you’re right—better her than a working citizen. 

We need people with large followings to care, to demand action from our government.

It shows the Feds that we want change, and it shows the little guy that they’ve got a few secret weapons in their arsenal.